Landlords and tenants responsibilities

As there may be specific requirements attached to a tenancy, any written lease should be referred to before the client is advised to take action.

Notifying the landlord

If a tenant is unhappy with the condition of their accommodation, they should draw the matter to the attention of the landlord or their agent and ask for matters to be put right. If the problem has not been rectified within a reasonable period of time, the tenant should complain in writing.

If it is later proved that the accommodation becomes uninhabitable through no fault of the tenant, the tenant may not have to pay full rent. Advice should be sought from Environmental Health before reducing or stopping rent, as doing so without their agreement is a breach of the lease and puts you at risk of eviction.