Landlord and tenant disputes
Landlord and tenant disputes are legal conflicts which are predominantly governed by property law. Landlord and tenant disputes can be divided into three main types; disputes about non-payment of rent, dispute about the landlord’s non-performance of legal obligations and disputes regarding service charges.
When a tenant does not pay rent continually they are seen to be in breach of contract. It is the landlord’s legal right to evict a tenant provided that the landlord follows the proper procedure.
Landlord and tenant disputes may also arise if a landlord does not fulfil certain legal obligations. For example, under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 the landlord must ensure that water heating devices are operating properly during the tenancy. If the boiler of a rented flat breaks and the landlord does not fulfil the responsibility, the tenant has the right to complain and seek compensation from the landlord.
A third common issue in landlord and tenant disputes relates to service charges. When a flat is leased as a long-term leasehold the freeholder often charges a service charge which is allocated to maintaining the common areas of the building (e.g. the stairs, roof and exterior). Disputes arise because often the person in charge of spending the service charge monies does not have an interest in reducing the cost of the work. The leaseholders therefore indirectly pay for work which they often feel could have been done cheaper.
If you are involved in landlord and tenant disputes, it is advisable to see a property solicitor. Speaking with a professional about your specific dispute will allow you to better understand how the law treats cases such as yours.
If you would like to obtain legal advice on landlord tenant disputes, Contact Law can put you in touch with a local property solicitor free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding local property solicitors please call us on 0808 129 5759 or complete the web-form above.
- Last Updated on 17/02/2012
