Landlords need to understand their obligations and the rights of tenants

Landlords have a lot of obligations to satisfy when it comes to their tenants. They must ensure that the property is safe to inhabit, kept in an acceptable condition, and satisfy the terms of the tenancy agreement. They must also comply with the rules set out in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. This gives tenants additional protection and breaching the rules can result in big problems for the property owner.

An example of the above occurred recently when a landlord was taken to court by Wandsworth Council for breaching the Act. The property owner had attempted to illegally evict a tenant after his failure to complete property maintenance led to a cease in rental payments. The Council originally intervened to ensure the landlord made improvements to the property and rents began being paid again. Unfortunately the situation only worsened.

During the case it was revealed that the landlord had harassed the tenant. First he resorted to switching off the gas and electricity supplies at the property. The locks were then changed, preventing access. It took an incredible 18 months for the tenant to get her possessions back.

At the conclusion of the two day trial the District Judge found in favour of the tenant. The landlord had breached the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and was guilty of harassment and intimidation. He was subsequently fined £10,500 and ordered to pay £2,000 compensation.

The above is a very extreme story but it shows how important it is for landlords to satisfy their obligations. At Finefair we work very hard to ensure our clients do just that, providing advice and an array of services. Amongst these we specialise in block management in Wandsworth.

We understand it can be challenging to look after multiple properties and large ones that contain several residences. Fortunately we are well placed to help and will ensure that every single home is managed to the highest standards. With our help properties will be kept in a great condition and the tenant landlord relationship can be improved substantially.

To find out more please feel free to contact a member of our team. We can explain all about block management, the other services we offer across Wandsworth, and the obligations of landlords.