Heavy fines for landlords who don’t comply
The Grenfell Tower fire last year brought the conditions of rental property into sharp focus. And recent prosecutions suggest that landlords are facing stricter obligations than ever before.
The regulations regarding rental properties are designed to protect both landlords and tenants and landlords cannot simply take the law into their own hands.
A recent case involving a Bridlington landlord company which had unlawfully evicted their tenant resulted in a fine of over £10,000. There are clear guidelines for evictions and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council made it clear that they would not tolerate landlords who refuse to follow the rules.
In another case, a rogue landlord in Birmingham was ordered to pay a £35,000 fine, £1,941 in costs and a victim surcharge of £170. Tenants were living in conditions that were described by inspectors as the worst they had seen in a decade.
With a record 2.5 million UK buy-to-let investors and 4.7 million households in the private rental sector, this is an issue that affects a significant proportion of the population. Both landlords and tenants should be aware of the existing rules and ensure that they are enforced.
If you are a landlord or a tenant and you are unsure where you stand legally, the expert team at PM Law can provide help and advice.
Landlords
We can help with the following:
- Disputes over rent
- Anti-social behaviour and injunctions
- Breach of tenancy agreements.
- Eviction notices
Tenants
We can help if you are concerned about any of the following:
- Assured shortholds and tenancies
- Recovery of deposit
- Enforcement of landlord obligations
- Service charge issues
- Issues arising from the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
- Sub-letting
- Possession proceedings
- Forfeiture
We’ll be happy to discuss your situation and advise on the best route forward. Phone the team on 0114 220 1795 or email disresenquiry@pm-law.co.uk.
