Renting can be a tricky business at times, and it’s no secret that misunderstandings can crop up.
But facing an issue with your rental home needn’t have you breaking out in a cold sweat.
There are ways to handle and solve a rental dispute before it escalates, whether it’s about rent payments, repairs, damp or your deposit.
Let’s go through some of the most common rental disputes and how you can work towards a resolution that works for you and your landlord.
1. Repairs and maintenance
A common rental dispute is around who is responsible for repairs and maintenance, and how you can get these done in a timely way.
If you’re an assured shorthold tenant - which most tenants in the UK are - your landlord is responsible for most major repairs to your home.
They must keep the property in a liveable condition and be quick to handle any necessary repairs.
While you’re responsible for any damage you’ve caused, your landlord will usually be responsible for fixing issues with:
The structure of the property, for example walls, roof, windows and doors
Sinks, baths, toilets
Pipes and wiring
Heating and hot water (including the boiler)
Gas and electrical appliances
If something goes wrong and it wasn’t your fault, get your request for it to be fixed in writing as soon as possible.
It can be useful to refer back to the inventory and photos you took at the start of your tenancy to prove you didn’t cause the damage.
Your letting agent will be able to advise on the rules under your tenancy agreement and organise repairs on behalf of your landlord.
Remember, you’re on the hook for minor repairs, like changing fuses or light bulbs, and for keeping the property clean and damage-free.
2. Damp
It’s not always clear who is responsible for fixing issues with damp in a rental home, which can lead to disputes.
This is because it can be tricky to figure out what’s caused the damp and therefore who needs to sort it.
Your landlord will usually be responsible for dealing with rising or penetrating damp, as it’s on them to keep the exterior and structure of your home in good shape.
They may also need to repair damage from construction damp, which is caused by the way the property was designed.
With condensation damp, you might have to show that you’re not responsible for causing it.
For this reason, it’s best to avoid using:
Portable gas or paraffin heaters
Heaters to dry wet clothes (do it outside if possible)
A tumble dryer with no outside vent
If you can show that you keep your home well-ventilated and avoid creating extra moisture, you should not be responsible for fixing condensation damp.
If the damp is so bad that it means your home isn’t safe to live in or has made you ill, your landlord should fix it.
Speak to your letting agent or landlord about the damp you’ve found and what you believe might be causing it. Work together to find a resolution if you can.
In the worst cases, there is further action you can take on damp issues. You can:
Contact your local authority's Environmental Health department, who may be able to force your landlord to deal with it
Take court action, but this can be costly and time-consuming so it should only be a last resort.
3. Quiet enjoyment
As a tenant, you’re entitled to “quiet enjoyment” of the property. That means you get to live there without interference from your landlord.
So if they’re always popping over unannounced, you could feel that you’re not getting this.
The best way to resolve this is to have a chat with your letting agent to raise your concerns.
They’ll be able to remind the landlord of your right to quiet enjoyment and put processes in place to protect it.
4. Pet policies
Most landlords will set pet policies to confirm whether or not you can keep pets.
They cannot put a blanket ban on pets, but they can say ‘no’ if they don’t think you’re a responsible pet owner or if the pet is not suitable for the property. This might be if you want to have a large dog in a small flat.
This should all be set out in your tenancy agreement, so you’ll have no leg to stand on if you keep a pet when your contract says you can’t.
Before getting a pet, it’s vital to ask for your landlord’s permission and get this amended in your rental agreement.
5. Late or nonpayment of rent
If you’re struggling to pay your rent, the best thing to do is contact your letting agent or landlord before you miss a payment.
If you communicate about it early, the more options you’ll have to figure things out and stay in your home.
So take a deep breath, pick up the phone and be honest with your letting agent.
They’ll want to help you and your landlord reach a solution and they’ll support you to work out a repayment plan.
If you don’t say anything, you can expect your landlord to get in touch in writing to remind you of your obligations.
They’ll inform you about any applicable late fees or other consequences if you don’t pay.
They might then be able to take legal action if you’re still unresponsive about the rent payments.
6. Getting your deposit back
The only times your deposit can be docked is if you have missed rent payments, damaged the property, or lost or damaged items from the itinerary.
You cannot be charged for reasonable wear and tear.
Before you move out, take photos of everything as a record of its condition when you left.
You can also ask your letting agent for a moving out inventory to fill out and ask your landlord to sign if they agree with everything.
If the landlord is proposing to keep some of your deposit, ask the letting agent to put in writing why they’re taking the money and how they figured out the amount.
You could then get your own quotes to fix the damage or replace the items to see if the price is fair.
If you cannot reach an agreement, you can turn to the resolution service provided by your deposit protection scheme. Your landlord should have provided you with these details when you moved in.
It’s free to make a claim and you should get a decision on your deposit within six weeks.
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