Posts with tag: Landlord and Tenant Act

New Bill Would Allow Tenants to Sue Landlords Over Poor Housing

Published On: October 16, 2015 at 10:18 am

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New Bill Would Allow Tenants to Sue Landlords Over Poor Housing

New Bill Would Allow Tenants to Sue Landlords Over Poor Housing

A new bill will give tenants the right to sue their landlords if their rental homes are in a substandard condition if it is passed in Parliament.

MP Karen Buck has pushed the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill into its second reading today.

She hopes to recover a law originally passed in 1885 and last amended in 1957.

It gives tenants the right to a home fit for human habitation if the rent was under £52 per year, or £80 in London.

Past governments have come under pressure to abolish the outdated rent limits, but have not acted, meaning that the law is not used.

Buck’s new bill would require private rental homes to be provided and maintained to a state fit for human habitation. It would allow tenants to bypass councils if they need their properties repaired.

The bill would also protect landlords if tenants or natural forces cause any damage.

The bill would amend the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and would only apply in England.

Read more about the bill here: http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7328

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes to Repair Responsibilities for Landlords

Published On: June 8, 2015 at 10:54 am

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Categories: Landlord News

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Changes to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 could have negative consequences for landlords.

Section 11 of the Act explains whether the landlord or tenant is responsible for repairing a property while it is rented.

Changes to Repair Responsibilities for Landlords

Changes to Repair Responsibilities for Landlords

It states that a landlord must, “keep in repair, the structure and exterior of the dwelling house” as well as any part of the building where a landlord has an “estate or interest.”

Often, it is assumed that landlords are only responsible for the interior of the rental property. However, they should remember that outside areas could also be their concern.

Entrance areas, pathways, parking areas and stairwells could all be the duty of the landlord, depending on whether these areas provide access to the property. If they do, the landlords have an estate or interest and must therefore repair any damage.

Director of Rentguard Insurance, Steve Jones, says: “With this increased level of responsibility, landlords with be under added pressure to ensure that they are providing a safe and secure environment for their tenants.”

The legislation changes add extra responsibility onto the landlord, but may also carry risks. Landlords could now be sued for not completing repairs, despite not owning the damaged area.

Furthermore, landlords of flats should note that management companies might not be liable for damage outside a block of flats.

Jones continues: “The main aspects that landlords need to consider are hazardous defects that can case injuries to tenants, such as damaged areas that can lead to people tripping or slipping. The revision of section 11 implies that landlords will need to liaise with superior landlords and those responsible for common areas, in order to ensure that defects are repaired quickly and a high level of safety is maintained.

“Landlords must protect themselves, as tenants are not obliged to report disrepair and one of the best ways to do this is to have the right insurance.”1 

1 http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/landlords-will-be-affected-by-legislation-change.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter