How We Protect Landlord’s Rights

More often than not, you’ll come across articles and cases highlighting tenant’s rights, which makes sense as they are the more vulnerable party in most landlord-tenant conflicts. However, while the law fiercely protects tenants, landlords too have significant rights, especially in England.

The rights of both tenants and landlords are outlined in a document titled “Landlord and Tenant Act 1985”. It describes not only the legal responsibilities of either party but also their rights.

Based on the Act, here are some of the rights you have as a landlord:

Right to Enter Your Property

If you own a property, you are legally allowed to enter it when you need to. This could be to carry out an inspection or maintenance work; however, tenants occupying the space should be given a 24-hour notice.

In emergency cases, the notice may be skipped. Despite the importance of any maintenance work, you can’t ask the tenants to leave unless the job being done is going to cause a lot of disturbances or any hazard, in which case they can be asked to vacate the space temporarily.

The Right to Increase Rent

As a landlord, you can increase the rent of your property, albeit with a few considerations. Ideally, the details and terms related to rent increases should be included in the tenancy agreement.

In the case of a periodic tenancy, the rent can only be increased once a year with prior notice. The increase can be a pre-decided percentage, but it should be reasonable and in line with the market price.

Right to Evict

Dispute between tenants and landlords are common. Usually, you can settle them informally through correspondence, cooperation, and mediation. Or, in some cases, when informal attempts fail, you can take them to small claims court.

As a landlord, you also hold the right to evict the tenants. However, there is a proper legal procedure for that, which the terms of your agreement would determine. Failing to follow the procedure can lead to claims of harassment and illegal eviction by the other party.

Right to Sell the Property

As a landlord, you do have the right to sell your property. But while you can sell the property anytime you like, you have to consider the tenants occupying it. You can either sell it with the tenant in situ, which would be easier and wouldn’t affect the tenant at all.

However, if you choose not to do that, you’d have to follow the entire legal eviction procedure before you can exercise your right to sell off the property.

If you’re a landlord, confused about your rights and wondering if you’re being exploited, get in touch with our landlord solicitors in Wembley.

They can help you with any landlord and tenant disputes that you may be going through.

Get in touch with us right away to set up an appointment.