The courts discriminated against me just because I’m a landlord?

The courts discriminated against me just because I’m a landlord?

0:01 AM, 12th September 2024, Less than a minute ago

Text Size

In the UK we rely on a justice system to be fair and equitable, but hope not to use it. I am sad to report more evidence of law driven discrimination against landlords.

Whilst a landlord is responsible for their property, the tenant’s right to a quiet life trumps this and tenants can deny a landlord access with impunity for things like repairs and inspections. This week to my cost I received the final outcome of a rent tribunal case taken against me by my tenant. The court results are jaw dropping and confirm the tenant can set a lower rent by dilapidating the property.

In this case, the tenant failed to advise me of issues in the property and denied me access to inspect despite repeated requests from me to do so. Instead the tenant made an application to the rent tribunal service claiming the rent was set too high. The tribunal
assessment has taken 9 months to complete and it feels like jaw dropping deliberate discrimination against me the landlord.

The tribunal has discounted the rent for dilapidations seen in its inspection, even when the court knows the issues have not been reported to me and I have been denied access to inspect or fix. The ruling effectively gives authority for the tenant to damage a property, eg cause a leak, damage items or even fire damage – really anything.

Keep the landlord out of the loop and deny them access, but invite the tribunal to assess the rent based on the property condition they have caused. Even though the tribunal knows the landlord has been denied the opportunity to fix the items and that no reports of issues are made they deduct rental payments for each item.

Therefore if a tenant wants a cheaper rent they simply have to trash the property and have the tribunal visit. The tribunal acts to keep the landlord out of his property taking instruction from the tenant. On the tribunal inspection the tenant will reap the benefits of their handiwork by having their damage assessed as rent reductions. The tribunal will then go on to effectively fine the landlord through rent reduction.

Bravo British justice, I hope you sleep well. I know as landlords we don’t. What can we do as landlords to stop the courts from discriminating against us?

Thanks,

Paul


Share This Article


Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now