'Media frenzy' blamed for landlord and tenant dispute rise

A recent surge in media coverage focusing on landlord-tenant disputes, particularly those related to mould and damp, has created a perception that all landlords are negligent, one legal expert says.

The head of landlord and tenant at Dutton Gregory Solicitors, Gina Peters , highlights a 'media frenzy' for creating a distrust in landlords.

This has, she warns, led to a rise in accusations of landlord non-compliance.

And the trend is being fuelled by 'quick fix' law firms writing to tenants and targeting specific issues, particularly mould.

'Landlords are not to be trusted'

Ms Peters told Accommodation for Students: "This is very much a case of perception versus reality, with the media creating this story that all landlords are not to be trusted.

"Most landlords are in fact compliant but lack support from the government."

She added: "Due to little funding and incentives for the industry, yes, we have seen a rise in disputes.

"The Government has created a very hostile environment, with the intended abolishment of Section 21 causing an increase in notices being served, more landlords selling up their portfolios due to financial pressure and uncertainty, and little to no support to make properties more energy efficient and safer for tenants.

"This, together with a rise in these new anti-landlord style companies for tenant disputes, have led to a belief that many landlords are failing to comply with the legalities of renting property in England."

Media stories on landlord and tenant disputes

The law firm points to a 'drastic increase' in the number of media stories on landlord and tenant disputes - with damp and mould complaints apparently being the main target.

It has noted a rise in these complaints with lots of tenants signing up with companies created to target specific lettings sector issues.

The law firm points to 'over the top adverts' similar to personal injury lawyer adverts asking, 'Have you had an accident at work?’.

This has led to an increase in legal services being offered to tenants in private rented properties.

Legal firms targeting PRS tenants

Ms Peters also warns that the increase in legal firms targeting PRS tenants is also adding to the rise in distrust for landlords.

She says that 'housing disrepair experts' are painting many landlords as 'non-compliant' to market their services.

One of the issues is the rise of selective licensing schemes that can catch landlords out unintentionally.

And councils that would investigate these claims normally are under-resourced and underfunded - which is where the new law firms are stepping in.

'Landscape that suggests landlords are there to be sued'

Ms Peters, who has specialised in residential landlord and tenant law for 22 years, said: "With the rise in these new style tenant-oriented companies it is painting, in many cases, a landscape that suggests landlords are there to be sued.

"Many of the applications that these new companies are handling can be made to the First Tier Tribunal by tenants themselves as there are no costs to be gained from such action from a landlord."

She added: "I accept that some tenants may not be aware of their rights, but there is a fine line between providing legal advice and jumping on the bandwagon to ensure landlords are sued at the first hint of non-compliance. 

"It is not helping the overall landscape within the private rented sector."

'Won't be many landlords who will disagree'

The managing director of Accommodation for Students, Simon Thompson, said: "There won't be many landlords who will disagree with what Ms Peters is saying.

"The portrayal of landlords currently is shameful, there's no attempt at balance and the Renters (Reform) Bill coverage is making it worse.

"Not every landlord wants to evict tenants and the stories about Section 21 abolishing are one-sided."

He added: "I'm also hearing that there is an increase in law firms targeting tenants and urging them to sue over conditions.

"The first stop for any tenant is to raise issues with their landlord who will make the effort to carry out repairs quickly."