Landlords Vs Tenants – Know Your Rights
There are now more people in rented accommodation than ever before. And this means that more and more people have to deal with a landlord. Thankfully, the majority of landlords do their job properly and see to all their tenants issues and problems very efficiently. However, there are some out there who don’t put their tenant’s best interests first.
Are you currently suffering with a nightmare landlord? Your dispute shouldn’t be ongoing as most are very easy to sort out. You just need to make sure that you know your rights. Read on to find out more!
Know The Law
You should brush up on the law before you get into any dispute. That way, you know whether you are right to be making a complaint or stand up against your landlord. Sometimes a problem between a landlord or a tenant occurs when one of the parties doesn’t realise that they have broken their side of the contract. So, knowing the law can also prevent you from making a mistake that could end with you in the wrong. You will be able to find out the basic laws by just doing a Google search. But if you want more information, you should speak to a lawyer.
Get Evidence
If you are sure that you have a case against your landlord, you need to gather evidence to prove your point. If you are unhappy with the state of your home, you should take pictures of any damage or improvements that need sorting out. It might also be worth contacting some chartered surveyors to check out the building. If they can show that your home isn’t safe, it will make the landlord act a lot quicker. The surveyors will also be able to give evidence in the event the case is taken to court.
Talk Face To Face
Most people contact their landlord through email or letters. However, things can often get misread which might cause the situation to blow up and become a much bigger deal than it should be. If you do find a problem with your home, you should endeavour to speak to your landlord face to face. That way, you can see where you are both coming from, and you will be able to come to an agreement in a very civilised manner.
Keep A Record
Whenever you do make contact with your landlord, you should always keep a record. If you email or write to them, this is easy as you can print out the email and keep a copy of the letter. However, it’s slightly harder if you speak to them in person. But you can still keep a record, you just need to write down the time and date the discussion took place and what each of you said.
Don’t let nightmare landlords bring you down. Follow these steps, and you can help to improve the situation between the two of you in no time at all. If things continue to escalate, then chat to a property lawyer about your next steps.
