Housing Law
If you are a tenant and your landlord is barging into your premises and telling you to clean up the area or doesn’t like the type of music you listen to then knowing what your tenant rights are is really going to help you.
If you have a troublesome landlord then our solicitors can tell you what your rights as a tenant. We can review your tenancy agreement and inform you of the laws which are most likely to help you in clear and straightforward language and assist you with any queries you have during your tenancy.
There are a number of laws that the landlord must abide by under different statutes. They include The Family Law Act 1996; The Housing Act 1988; The Protection From Eviction Act 1977 and The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
Under these laws, your landlord should not turn up to the property without having been invited and without giving you reasonable notice. The landlord must not offer you money to vacate the premises or threaten you in an attempt to make you leave, or encourage other tenants to behave in the same way. Shutting down water, gas or electricity is also deemed unacceptable behaviour as well as preventing friends from visiting.
The landlord is expected to fulfil maintenance duties and not leave the place in a neglectful state.
If you are faced with serious problems with your landlord you should get in contact with your local council, which has the power to prosecute them under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
As a tenant, you have a right to reasonable living conditions which includes having hot and cold running water, heating, toilet facilities and a drainage system. If your landlord is harassing you or is threatening you with unlawful eviction, or has cut off your utilities (water, gas etc) you should contact a lawyer.
You must also be aware that the landlord is able to evict tenants on certain grounds. The first category is known as Mandatory Eviction. This is where the owner wants to live in the property, you are two months in arrears for rent, or you delay essential maintenance work from taking place on the building. The second category is called Discretionary Eviction where the landlord can ask the court to eject you on the grounds that you have broken the terms of the contract or are consistently late in paying rent.
Our solicitors are also able to provide with advice and defend you in relation to your rights as a regular or council tenant. If your council runs an introductory tenant scheme it has the power to evict you before the 12 month period has expired. As a secure tenant your rights are more limited.
If you require further advice on your tenant rights and obligations then please contact us.