As the number of people renting in the UK continues to rise, the BBC has taken a closer look at the state of private renting. Read the full story here.
If you are a landlord or tenant looking for advice or looking to be kept up to date speak to us about our newsletters, or keep reading our blogs, follow us on Facebook, or attend one of our training events. Speak to Kirsty for further information.
If your landlord is not making repairs to your rental property, you have a number of factors to consider; firstly you may be worried about making a claim for disrepair in case your Landlord tries to evict you from your property. However, there are laws in place that protection you from being evicted just because you have made a claim for disrepair. You may be protected from eviction under new legislation (available in England) to protect you from what is known as 'retaliatory eviction' . You can make a claim for damages (compensation) under S11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and you can take out an injunction forcing your Landlord to make the necessary repairs with or without damages. It is difficult to obtain legal aid to bring a claim and it is difficult if not impossible to get free advice and assistance to make a claim for disrepair. It can also be expensive and risky to attempt to pay privately without being financially secure or without ATE (after the event insurance). One option to explore is NO WIN NO FEE, and Newbold Solicitors may be able to assist you to bring a claim this way. You should never live in a property that has damp, that does not have adequate heating or water, that has rats or mice, that is too cold in the winter. If you pay rent, you should live in a property that you are proud to live in.
#VentYourRent is trending on social media; if you are one of the 1.85 million households having to wait longer than you should for your landlord to fix a problem contact our Housing Department on 0330 123 1131.
Read the full story here: https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/7065503/renters-post-pictures-of-damp-mould-filled-flats-as-campaigners-call-for-fairer-terms-for-tenants/
The Government has released proposals for tenants in social housing in England to have greater powers. Plans include introducing landlord ratings to hold bad practice to account, and providing the regulator with "sharper teeth" to intervene on issues that matter most to tenants. It also outlines changes to make it easier for tenants to own their homes, such as allowing them to use the government's shared ownership scheme to purchase as little as 1% of their property each year.
Read the full story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45176684
To be kept up to date on the proposals speak to us about our newsletters, or keep reading our blogs, follow us on Facebook, or attend one of our training events. Speak to Kirsty for further information.
The Court has decided that if you are living in rented accommodation, despite the fact you may have special needs or feel vulnerable, you cannot demand more suitable accommodation to meet your particular circumstances. In the case of Ms Lomax, she was a disabled lady who felt isolated where she lived, she had no visitors and there was little facilities in her area for disabled people. Ms Lomax applied to be relocated to more suitable accommodation. The Court did not agree with Ms Lomax, unfortunately accommodation is difficult in her area, and the Local Authority was unable to offer her better accommodation. The Court of Appeal allowed an appeal under S149 of the Equality Act. If you need help with your rights as a disabled person, then please call us and we can advise you whether you have been discriminated against.
If you want to take advantage of 'right to buy' and your house has been altered to meet your disability, you may not be eligible to buy the property. Our conveyancers will be able to advise you about this.