Landlord harassment over repairs
Landlord harassment over repairs: A dripping tap is annoying, a broken boiler is frustrating, but what happens when your pleas for repairs turn into a battleground with your landlord? Unfortunately, some tenants in the UK face harassment from landlords who try to pressure them into dropping repair requests. But fear not, there are ways to handle this situation and protect your rights.
What is Landlord Harassment Over Repairs?
Landlord harassment goes beyond a simple disagreement. It encompasses any action that makes you feel unsafe or pressured to give up your tenancy because you requested repairs. Here are some red flags:
- Threats of eviction: Your landlord implies they’ll evict you if you keep asking for repairs.
- Unannounced visits: They constantly show up unannounced, disrupting your privacy and comfort under the guise of “inspecting” the disrepair.
- Cutting off essential services: They threaten or actually withhold hot water, electricity, or other essential services to coerce you into dropping your request.
- Personal attacks or intimidation: They use verbal abuse or aggressive behaviour to make you feel uncomfortable or scared.
Remember: By law, your landlord cannot retaliate against you for requesting repairs.
Standing Your Ground: How to Deal with Harassment
If you’re facing harassment, here are some steps to take:
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all communication with your landlord, including dates, times, and the content of conversations. Take pictures or videos of any damage or disruption caused by the disrepair.
- Report the Harassment: Contact Citizens Advice [Citizens Advice] for free and impartial housing advice. They can guide you through the reporting process and help you draft a formal complaint.
- Consider Mediation: If you’d prefer a less confrontational approach, explore housing disrepair mediation (check out our previous blog post for more info!).
- Seek Legal Help: If the situation escalates, consider seeking legal advice from a solicitor specializing in housing law.
Here are some resources for additional support:
- Shelter England: What if my private landlord is harassing me?
- National Housing Federation: How to deal with a harassing landlord
- Housing Ombudsman: https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/
- Housing Disrepair Advice: https://housingdisrepairadvice.org/contact
