A landlord suffering from long covid had a Rent Repayment Order reduced by 35% after turning to Landlord Licensing & Defence for help.
The tenants of the property, who had no complaints and were happily still living there, had attempted to claim a refund of all the rent they’d paid for seven months when they discovered their home had not been covered by the required Selective Licence during that time.
The licensing requirement had been introduced when the landlord was suffering from covid, which then developed into long covid. With the landlord’s life severely curtailed, they had been unaware that the Selective Licensing requirement had been introduced.
And, as an agent was paid to the manage the property, the landlord assumed they were taking care of all legal obligations. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. Even when landlords have an agent, the landlord remains legally responsible for compliance with all legislation.
As soon as they were able, the landlord gathered the required paperwork and submitted the application.
However, as there are no defences to breaches of housing regulations – not even serious illness – the tenants were able to claim the Rent Repayment Order, which amounted to £12,458.
When Landlord Licensing & Defence intervened, the tenants were persuaded to reduce their claim by 35% – saving the landlord £4,360.
Neither party in the case had been aware of the requirement for licensing until after the license had been secured. For the tenants who had never been inconvenienced and continued to live in the property, the temporary gap gave them a significant windfall.
For the landlord who had been struggling with ill health, it was an extra bill to pay at a time when they could least afford it. It’s not fair – but it’s the law.
CS1605
