With the country being plunged into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many landlords were faced with the prospect of mounting fines if their properties were deemed unsuitable to live in.
It followed the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2020 coming into full force in March, meaning that landlords now have a legal obligation to ensure tenants’ homes are safe, healthy and free from things that could cause harm.
The new ruling, which applies to both private and social housing landlords, means that tenants have the power to take their landlords to court if disrepair issues are not resolved.
CEL Solicitors provided insight into how the changes in the law were likely to impact landlords and allow tenants to take action when needed.
One of our directors, Paul Hampson, spoke to the Telegraph about how renters were more likely to spot disrepair issues during lockdown due to them spending more time at home and how landlords still had an obligation to their tenants.
Mark said that it had previously been difficult for tenants to take their landlords to court but that the number of people bringing forward claims had increased significantly since the Homes Act was introduced.
He said: “Most didn’t bother; but this new legislation has made it much easier for them to force landlords to do the repairs.
“Spending more time at home will mean people notice issues they may have otherwise been unaware of and also realise some problems are much bigger than they first thought.”
For the full article visit Telegraph.co.uk
