In this article, we’re looking at some of the issues which may occur and how to avoid getting into a dispute with your landlord. If you run into an issue with your landlord, it’s incredibly important to seek dispute resolution as quickly as possible to avoid an escalation of the problem. In the UK, around 4.61 million people rent their homes from a private landlord and many fail to take the steps necessary to avoid a conflict.
In this article, we look at some of the conflicts which may arise and, how to prevent them turning into a dispute with your landlord.
*This is a collaborative post. Image Source
*This is a collaborative post. What Can Cause a Conflict Between Landlord and Tenant?
There are a number of issues which can sour the relationship between a landlord and a tenant. In this section, we’ll examine some of main causes:
• Rent payments – Failing to pay rent or being consistently late with payments is a major bugbear for landlords and one which can quickly turn into a dispute.
• Housekeeping – Failure or refusal to keep the rented property, including the garden, in a clean and tidy condition is an extremely common dispute between tenants and their landlords.
• Noise and nuisance – Persistent excessive noise or partying is a serious issue which can have severe consequences.
8 Ways to Avoid Getting into a Dispute With Your Landlord
If a dispute with your landlord occurs, it can soon get out of control, and this can result in eviction or even legal action. In this section, we’re sharing 10 tips for avoiding a dispute with your landlord:
1. Contract
Every tenancy begins with a contract. Before signing on the dotted line, it’s important that you read this carefully in order to know what you’re getting into and to negotiate any terms which are not acceptable to you.
2. Create a positive relationship
From the beginning of the tenancy, do your best to forge a civil and transparent relationship with your landlord as this will help smooth things over should an issue arise.
3. Keep communication clear
With the best will in the world, problems can sometimes occur, and good communication can go a long way toward avoiding a dispute. For example, if for whatever reason, you know that you’re going to be late with your rent payment, get in touch with your landlord as soon as possible to let them know that this is the case and the exact date that your rent will be paid.
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4. Keep the property clean
It is your responsibility to keep the rented property clean (and your landlord will usually reserve the right to make inspections with advance notice). Make sure that you treat the property with respect and keep it clean and tidy at all times. When it comes to maintenance, reasonable wear and tear will usually be covered by your landlord. However, damage to the property or contents through carelessness or failure to
respect the property, will almost certainly be your responsibility.
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5. Socialise sensibly
It is, of course, only natural that you will occasionally want to invite friends and family to your rented home but, it’s important to remain mindful about the fact that the property is not yours. Always avoid having parties or large gatherings in the property and, never invite people that you don’t know.
6. Know your rights
At the beginning of this section, we mentioned the importance of reading your contract carefully and it’s equally important that you are aware of your rights. Some landlords may overstep the mark when it comes to imposing rules and penalties and knowing your rights -and the law – can help to nip this in the bud before it becomes an issue.
7. Fill out the inventory
At the beginning of your tenancy, you should be furnished with an inventory which lists everything that is in the property at that time – and in what condition. Study this closely on receipt and point out any discrepancies. At the end of the tenancy, check it to ensure that everything is still there as failing to do so may result in your landlord trying to keep some or all of your deposit.
8. Pets
Only around 7% of landlords in the UK actively allow tenants to keep pets in the property as part of the standard tenancy agreement. Because of this, a lot of tenants choose to ‘sneak’ a pet into their rented home in the hope that their landlord will not find out. While this is a grey area legally, it can most certainly turn into a dispute which will ruin the tenant and landlord relationship.
Instead, should you decide that you would like a pet, make a request in writing to your landlord assuring them that you will be a responsible pet owner and will be responsible for any damage caused by that pet. In many circumstances, a landlord will respond favourably to this approach.
Avoiding conflict with your landlord
When renting a property, either short or long term, it’s important to understand that, while you have rights, your home ultimately belongs to somebody else. Always promote a good relationship with your landlord by practicing good communication and by doing your absolute best to keep the property clean and damage free.
Always abide by the rules laid out in the contract, including pets, smoking and guests and, should you wish to make changes, do so in writing, stating your reasons and your commitment to respecting the property.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on dispute resolution. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
*Disclaimer – This is a collaborative post. This post has been pre-written.
