Landlords Responsibilities Solicitors in London

Whether you are a landlord who needs advice on your legal responsibilities or a tenant seeking to understand your landlord’s obligations, our expert team of landlord responsibility solicitors in London can advise and represent you.

At OTS Solicitors, our specialist landlord responsibility experts can provide clear guidance on landlord duties, so you know exactly where you stand, covering all of your obligations and rights. With can assist with both residential and commercial landlord responsibilities, matching our service to your unique needs.

For a detailed discussion regarding landlords’ legal responsibilities or to book an appointment with one of our landlord and tenant team, please call us now on 0203 959 9123.

Our team can provide clear advice on matters relating to the legal responsibilities of landlords, including:

• Landlords’ duty to provide tenants with legally prescribed information
• Right to Rent checks
• Landlords’ health and safety obligations
• Mortgage lender approval
• Landlords’ tax obligations

Please note: the information provided on this page is for general interest purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. If you need specific legal advice, our team will be happy to assist you.

Speak to our landlord responsibility solicitors today

We will be able to discuss your matter at our offices, over the phone or online via web conferencing software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx or Skype.

To speak to our landlord responsibility solicitors in London, please call now on 0203 959 9123 or use our simple online enquiries form.

Landlords’ legal obligations explained

What are a landlord's legal obligations?

A landlord’s legal obligations when renting out private, residential property in England or Wales will include:

• Providing tenants with the following:
  • The government’s ‘How to Rent’ guide
  • An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) (which must be renewed every 10 years)
  • An up-to-date gas safety certificate (which must be renewed annually)
  • Proof that the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are in working order
  • A record of electrical inspections (all appliances must be checked by an appropriate professional every 5 years)
• Protecting tenants’ deposits in a government-approved deposit protection scheme (tenants must be notified of where the deposit has been registered within 30 days of paying the deposit)
• Carrying out Right to Rent checks to confirm that tenants have the legal right to rent property in the UK
• Keeping the property safe from health hazards
• Securing your mortgage provider’s permission to rent out the property (if you have a mortgage on it)
• Paying income tax on your rental income, as well as any Capital Gains Tax owed if and when you sell the property

Our team are happy to advise both landlords and tenants on landlords’ responsibilities. For landlords, we can help to ensure you are meeting your legal obligations and effectively manage your risk of legal action. For tenants, we can help you to understand and assert your rights.

What are the new landlord rules for 2023?

There has been a lot of talk in the media over the last few years about potential changes to tenants’ rights and landlords’ legal obligations in England and Wales. This relates to the proposed Renters Reform Bill, currently being considered by Parliament. If it becomes law, the Renters Reform Bill could be very significant for the private rental sector, but there is currently no time frame for this to happen and, indeed, no guarantee that it will at all.

Some of the proposed changes in the Renters Reform Bill are:

• Ending ‘no-fault’ evictions (i.e. ending a tenancy via a Section 21 Notice)
• Applying the ‘Decent Homes Standard’ to private rental property
• Limiting landlords’ right to increase rent
• Removing landlords’ right to unreasonably prevent tenants from having pets in properties

Whether any of these changes will be implemented is, currently, impossible to say. Should any legislation be passed into law that affects the legal responsibilities of landlords, then our experts will be here to assist landlords and tenants with navigating these changes.

What repairs are landlords responsible for in the UK?

A landlord has a general legal obligation to keep a property they are renting out safe and free from hazards, so they must make any repairs necessary to address potential health and safety risks.

A landlord is also generally responsible for maintaining:

• The structure of a property e.g. the roof, walls, windows, external doors and guttering
• Toilets, sinks, baths, showers and their pipework
• Water and gas pipes, electrical wiring, boilers, water storage tanks, radiators and other heating equipment

Beyond this, landlord responsibility with respect to repairs will depend on the terms set out in specific tenancy agreements. It is always sensible to get specialist legal advice if you are a landlord or tenant who is unsure about landlords’ legal responsibilities to make repairs.

Disputes about these issues are, sadly, all too common. Our team have strong expertise in housing disrepair claims, so can advise you if you are concerned about this issue.

Can I claim compensation from a private landlord?

Yes, a tenant can potentially make a claim for compensation from a landlord if they can show that the landlord’s actions or inaction has resulted in the tenant experiencing losses. The tenant would be able to claim compensation to help put them back in the position they would have been if those losses had not occurred.

Examples of situations where a tenant might be able to claim compensation from a landlord include where the landlord is believed to have caused:

• The tenant to become injured or ill
• The tenant’s belongings to have been damaged or destroyed
• The tenant to be inconvenienced and unable to use their home in the way that they would normally expect to be able to do so according to the terms of their tenancy agreement

If you believe you may have grounds to claim compensation from your landlord or you are a landlord facing a compensation claim, please contact us and we will be happy to advise and represent you.

Can I sue my landlord for causing me stress?

It is potentially possible for a tenant to make a claim against their landlord for damage to their mental health caused by the landlord’s actions or inaction, however, this would only apply under certain limited circumstances.

To be able to make such a claim, the tenant would need to be able to show that they have experienced a diagnosable psychiatric injury as a result of the landlord’s wrongful actions or negligence.

If you are a tenant who feels you may have the right to claim compensation from your landlord for a psychiatric injury or you are a landlord facing such a claim, then our team can help you navigate the situation and work towards the best available outcome.

Our fees for dealing with landlord responsibility issues

Our fees reflect the value we offer to landlords and tenants. In many cases, we can act on a fixed fee basis, giving complete certainty over cost. For some more complex matters, it may be more appropriate to work to a set hourly rate, allowing us to provide tailored support to meet your ongoing needs.

Whatever your requirements, we will be completely transparent about our fees and any other likely costs at the outset. You can then make a fair assessment of whether you feel we are the right firm for you.

Speak to our landlord responsibility solicitors today

We will be able to discuss your matter at our offices, over the phone or online via web conferencing software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx or Skype.

To speak to our expert team about landlords’ responsibilities, please call now on 0203 959 9123 or use our simple online enquiries form.