Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act

Homes Fitness for Human Habitation Act

New tenants' rights in the UK mean landlords can be taken to court if they don't complete necessary home repairs

Another day, another new legislation. At least this one is one not to be afraid of, especially if as a landlord you look after your properties and don't ignore tenant's moans about damp or blocked drains.

A friendly prod from us... Attention Landlords (big megaphone moment), if you haven't inspected your rental properties for a while because you've entrusted them to your local managing agent, we would strongly recommend you give them the once over, otherwise you could end up in court if your managing agent hasn't been doing their job properly.

But you ask why, I'm paying someone else to look after them for me...

Well, you may not be aware but from the 20 March 2019, tenants will be given the power to sue landlords who fail to adequately maintain their properties as part of a new law called the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act.

This means, rather than relying on under resourced councils to force landlords to carry out repairs, which let's be honest these requests just get ignored until official threatening letters arrive, tenants will now be able to take the landlord to court.

So, what is this Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act.

The act, which is actually an update to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, will cover all tenancies of less than seven years in length started on or after this date, it will also apply to existing tenancies that go periodic from this date.

Courts will have the authority to order Landlords to carry out the repairs and they will also be able to award damages to tenants.

The new law is designed to prevent tenants having to put up with unsafe or unsanitary conditions, such as damp, poor ventilation, lack of natural light, loose shower rails, windows that don't close and blocked drains, just to name a few.

The good news... if your a good landlord you have nothing to worry about!!

However, if you have ignored your tenant's complaints about such issues as damp, hoping they will just put up with it, then you had better get yourself in gear and sort it out now, otherwise you could end up in court. And, if you do, you won't get much sympathy.

As landlords, if you have let managing agents to look after your properties, do you know how well your agent is taking care of things?

Can you be sure that they have carried out necessary repairs and they haven't just ignored the tenants' complaints because they just can't be bothered doing any work for their commission. If you are not sure, go and take a look. Better to be safe than sorry.

Contact us today if you need help finding new tenants or full property management.

www.roomieslettingsandmanagement.co.uk