Landlord Law Newsround #407: Protecting Properties, Maintenance Challenges, and Legal Risks

This edition highlights the importance of protecting rental properties from property title fraud, the widespread lack of out-of-hours maintenance support among landlords, and a significant court ruling against an illegal eviction. It also covers growing concerns over accommodating pets in rental homes and other key issues affecting landlords today.

Protect Your Properties from Property Title Fraud

Landlords are urged to register for the HM Land Registry’s free Property Alert Service, which allows monitoring of up to ten properties for suspicious activity. This service notifies landlords if anyone applies to change ownership details, sending alert messages and six-monthly reports to help prevent fraud.

Rental properties are particularly vulnerable because landlords often do not live at the property, making it easier for fraudsters to intercept paperwork or use false identities. Despite this risk, fewer people have been using the service recently. However, over the past 12 months, the Property Alert Service has helped prevent more than £59 million worth of fraudulent property transactions.

For landlords, signing up to this service is a straightforward and cost-free way to safeguard their investments against increasingly sophisticated scams.

Many Landlords Lack Out-of-Hours Maintenance Support

A recent survey by property management company Adiuvo reveals that 57% of landlords do not provide emergency out-of-hours maintenance support for urgent tenant issues, with a further 10% offering only limited cover. This is concerning given that 81.3% of tenant calls for maintenance occur outside standard 9am to 5pm working hours.

Reasons cited for the lack of out-of-hours provision include landlords preferring to handle calls themselves (59%), feeling it unnecessary (29%), concerns over high costs (12%), and difficulty finding reliable services (2%).

Colin Stokes, Managing Director of Adiuvo, commented:

“There are an awful lot of landlords out there who don’t yet have out-of-hours cover, and this leaves them exposed to unmediated late-night issues in their properties which can destroy their relationship with their tenants, and even lead to expensive property damage.”

Among those landlords who do provide out-of-hours support (61%), most rely on their letting agent or a private contractor (34%), while only 6% use a dedicated out-of-hours company. Landlords should consider the benefits of having reliable emergency maintenance arrangements to protect their properties and tenant relationships.

Rogue Landlord Fined £53,000 for Illegal Eviction

A court has awarded a tenant £53,000 in damages after her landlord forcibly evicted her without notice or proper legal process, and caused extensive damage to her possessions and home. The eviction followed a prolonged period during which the landlord blocked the tenant’s access and repeatedly harassed her.

The tenant received £14,760 for damaged belongings and £38,250 for the period she was made homeless due to the landlord’s actions.

Duncan Lewes Solicitors, who represented the tenant, warned:

“Taking matters into your own hands not only violates tenants’ rights, but can result in serious financial penalties and legal consequences. This case is a stark warning: always respect due process.”

This case serves as a reminder to landlords of the importance of following legal eviction procedures to avoid costly penalties and reputational damage.

Growing Concern Over Pets in Rental Properties

There is increasing pressure on the government to provide clearer guidance on how pets should be fairly accommodated in rental properties under the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act. Without detailed rules, letting agents and landlords face uncertainty about when it is reasonable to refuse pets, potentially leading to more disputes.

Irwin Mitchell’s property department highlights that the Bill currently lacks clarity on whether consent to keep pets applies to specific animals or any number of pets. They stress:

“It’s important that government get this part of the Bill right and strong guidance is provided to give clarity on how pets can be accommodated fairly and responsibly in rented homes.”

Landlords should monitor developments closely, as unclear rules may inadvertently encourage blanket refusals of tenants with pets, undermining the Bill’s aim to make renting fairer.

Additional News Highlights

• Councils use planning tactics to limit spread of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
• HMRC recovers a record £107 million in unpaid taxes from landlords
• Tenant discovered running a cannabis farm in rental flat
• Report warns of risks to agency earnings as Renters’ Rights Bill approaches

For ongoing updates, landlords and agents can also refer to the Quick News Updates on Landlord Law.

Landlord Law Newsround will return next week with more essential updates for landlords and property professionals.