The Most Common Type of Tenant Landlord Disputes

Landlords and tenants are both equally expected to stay true to their responsibilities, especially if they want a problem-free tenancy. However, in some cases, disputes cannot be prevented and these can be physically, mentally and financially stressful. 

Tenant-landlord disputes can also cause tension, which can then lead to disagreements and bigger problems. Like everything else in life, however, there are several ways to get around these tenant-landlord disputes. First of all , though, you have to know how to identify what the most common issues are. Once you familiarise yourself with them, you’ll be able to find ways to avoid or minimise them.

Property damage

One of the major responsibilities of a tenant is to take care of the property that they are renting and ensure they are safe from damage. In certain cases, landlords do not allow tenants to hang mirrors, photo frames, shelves, and paintings on walls.  

Tenancy agreements require tenants to leave the property in the same manner that it was when they moved in. As such, if their landlords allow them to hang frames and paintings, tenants are expected to have the holes repaired before they leave the property.

In the same manner, landlords are also expected to keep their part of the agreement, which is to permit some reasonable wear and tear. 

Additionally, landlords can offer suggestions to their tenants, such as using alternative non-damaging fixtures. You should also talk and compromise on what will happen if a tenant accidentally damages something. 

Finally, landlords and tenants should carry out  a complete house check before their tenant moves in. This will allow both parties to assess the condition of each fixture and piece of furniture in the property. 

Properties unfit for habitation

Also stated in the tenancy agreement is the tenant’s right to live in a habitable property, one that is fit for living. Properties should be safe, sanitary, and clean, so landlords should ensure that whatever needs to be fixed is repaired and whatever is unsafe or unhealthy must be thrown away.

Habitation matters are always an issue for disputes because landlords always want to believe their property is habitable, but then tenants often think there’s something wrong or missing. As such, there should be a clear distinction between what’s habitable and what’s not. Fortunately, the tenancy agreement has most of the information pertaining to this.

Maintenance problems

If a property is unfit for habitation, it is also not properly maintained. Landlords and tenants often argue about such issues, the most common ones being damp, boiler breakdowns, and other disrepair problems. 

Most disputes stem from landlords taking too much time to fix the issues or not responding to tenants’ requests. To retaliate, tenants in such situations often do not pay their rent until their landlords respond to their request to resolve the disrepair.

To avoid home maintenance issues, landlords and tenants should have good communication channels. Tenants should immediately inform their landlords if there are problems and request for action, and landlords should act on their tenants’ repair requests right away. 

The most common: Tenant deposit disputes

Problems involving rental deposits are one of the most common tenant-landlord disputes. 

Before their tenancy commences, tenants are required by law to pay a deposit to their landlords as a form of security and commitment. The amount they should give depends on how much their rental fee is, and they are given a maximum of six weeks to hand it over to their landlords. 

Landlords can choose from three government-approved tenancy deposit scheme providers (TDS) and have their tenants’ money protected until the tenant moves out. The TDS protects tenants’ deposit and keeps it safe so landlords won’t be able to use it for personal purposes.

At the end of the tenancy, landlords are expected to return the deposit to their tenants after doing an inventory of the furniture, fixtures, and the entire property. If anything is broken, damaged, or missing, landlords can deduct a certain amount from the deposit. If everything is in order, the tenant will most likely receive the full amount of the deposit.

However, if a landlord has not protected tenant deposit, disputes can arise. Tenants have the legal right to file for tenancy deposit protection claims, especially if landlords continue to neglect their request over time. 

The best thing to do to resolve tenancy deposit disputes is to fully understand both tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities.

What you can do to in case of tenant deposit disputes

If you are about to end your tenancy and your landlord has not returned your deposit, they will be required by law to pay a penalty that is at least one to three times equivalent to the amount that you paid them. This is called a tenancy protection compensation claim. If you work with an experienced team of experienced solicitors, you can potentially get up to three times your deposit amount back as compensation . 
Tenancy Deposit Claims has a team of solicitors who are experts at tenancy claims, and who are dedicated to giving you back the compensation you deserve. Your landlord has 30 days to return your deposit, and if he doesn’t do so in that time period, you can start talking to the solicitors.