11^th Feb 2019

Very shortly tenants will be given the power to challenge and sue landlords if they feel their rented home is not to an acceptable standard.

On March 20th the new Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act should make landlords improve tenants' accommodation and is an update of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. The new law will be applicable for tenancies of less than seven years in England and Wales.

It the property is deemed unfit for habitation then renters will have their day in court. It will include properties that are too hot or too cold, damp and mould problems, or have asbestos as well as those with lighting or noise issues amongst many other problems that are listed.

Under the new law, tenants can take landlords to court if there are major issues with:

• Hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
• damp
• repair
• stability
• facilities for preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal of waste water
• natural lighting
• ventilation
• water supply
• drainage and sanitary conveniences
• internal arrangement

Shelter welcomes the new law and believes that the Bill will cover "glaring omissions" from the previous legislation.

"Crucially, the Bill will help private and social renter’s voices to be heard, by giving them the right to take their landlord to court over unfit and unsafe conditions like these in their home," they wrote in a blog post.

"The Bill could help to prevent another tragedy like the Grenfell tower fire. This was the starkest reminder of the dangers of unsafe accommodation."

Richard Merrick of PIMS, said:" We do agree with the oncoming legislation, however in some cases it will almost certainly be abused by rogue tenants and 'career rent' criminals."


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