Maintaining a positive landlord-tenant relationship is an important part of being a successful landlord. Although differences of opinions can arise, knowing what to expect and how to deal with these issues can help to reduce the stress you may face from being a landlord.
What classes as a landlord and tenant dispute?
Landlord and tenant disputes can arise for a number of reasons, but they are usually classified as disagreements about the property that the landlord owns and the tenant lives or works in.
It's not uncommon for landlords and tenants to have different views, and in many cases the issue can snowball and require help through dispute resolution.
Main causes of landlord and tenant disputes
There are a variety of different causes for a landlord and tenant dispute, however, some of the most common include:
Late rent payment - One of the most common reasons for landlord and tenant disputes is the late payments of rent from the tenant. The rent could be withheld over connections to other disputes or they may be lacking the funds they need to pay the rent.
Property damage - Damage to the property can be caused by wear and tear or the actions of the tenant. Disagreements often occur about who should pay for the damages.
Property repairs - Issues like leaking roofs, broken boilers and electrical faults will usually be repaired by the landlord as per the contractual agreement. However, problems can arise when the landlord fails to acknowledge the repairs are needed in the first place or they do a poor job of fixing them.
Dilapidations - In commercial properties, it is often the case that the tenant will make changes or improvements to the property. This can result in disputes and the landlord will withhold the deposit unless the tenant returns the property to its original condition.
Causing a nuisance - Complaints about a nuisance are usually caused by the tenants activities, such as making noise during unsociable hours, creating fires and other hazards, and causing invasive smells.
Pets at home - It is usually made clear in the lease agreement if pets are or are not allowed in the property. Disagreements can arise if the tenant signs the lease agreement which states no pets are allowed, but later down the line they obtain a pet regardless.
The importance of dispute resolution for landlords and tenants
Solving disagreements between landlords and tenants can be difficult, especially if both parties are not willing to negotiate. This is where dispute resolution can help.
Without dispute resolution, landlord and tenants disagreements can become very costly, very quickly. Not to mention the breakdown between both parties can be extremely mentally taxing if neither party is willing to compromise.
At AFG Law, our aim is to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants quickly and as cost effectively as possible to keep both parties from considering court.
There are a number of different methods for resolving landlord and tenant disputes and our team is here to help guide you through them. We will make sure you have all the correct documentation you need to be used as evidence, as well as helping you to draft formal notices and initiate legal proceedings if necessary.