New law will give tenants the power to sue landlords over cold and mouldy homes and grant them increased powers
Tenants are set to be given new rights to challenge landlords if their rented homes are not up to standard, especially those who have reported issues and had them ignored.
The new law will enable tenants to sue Landlords who have failed to comply with the legislation and force them to make the necessary repairs to the property.
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act comes into effect on March 20 and allows tenants who have been let down by their Landlord to go to the courts if their accommodation is not maintained well enough, with the update of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the new law will apply to tenancies of less than seven years in England and Wales.
Tenants can go to the courts if their property is considered not fit for living in, and this definition covers a wide variety of issues. It will include properties that are too cold or too hot, those that have damp or asbestos and those with noise or lighting issues, alongside a host of other problems which would seem common to renters who have suffered in the past from poorly-maintained properties.
Under the new law, tenants can take action if there are issues with:
- repair
- stability
- damp
- internal arrangement
- natural lighting
- ventilation
- water supply
- drainage and sanitary conveniences
- facilities for preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal of waste water
- Hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
If you suffer from damp in your property then its important to tell your landlord as soon as possible and if they fail to act then you can now go straight to the courts and get the changes done that are needed.
