Rogue landlords being tackled by Mayor of London

In December 2012, the Mayor of London unveiled a kitemark system which will be known as the London Rental Standard to raise standards and tackle rogue landlords. It is proposed that all landlords and letting agents will be accredited and be permitted to display a logo or symbol which will show that they can be trusted.

There are already several landlord accreditation schemes in London run by different agencies and it is hoped that the new scheme will encompass all these other schemes and avoid confusion. Supporters of this scheme have said that it will help tackle landlords who fail to protect deposits or carry out repair works. Accredited landlords will have to sign up to a code of conduct and will be liable to spot checks. Ultimately, if a complaint against a landlord is upheld, the landlord will lose their accreditation or face legal action.

Such a scheme may well give tenants the peace of mind that the landlord or letting agent they are dealing will act appropriately however the question is whether it will it simply result in landlords simply being subjected to more bureaucracy? 

Ultimately, the success of the scheme is likely to depend on how many landlords sign up to the kitemark and the how a breach of the code of conduct is enforced.

With the demand of rental properties outstripping supply it is still very much a landlords market, however this does not mean that tenants simply have to put up with sub-standard properties and bad landlords.

If you are a tenant and your home is currently in a state of disrepair our specialist legal team can assist you in forcing your landlord to take action and rectify the problems.

We have assisted hundreds of clients on a no win no fee basis who were experiencing problems such as:

• Dampness or mould from roof and pipe leaks, blocked drains or gutters,
• Dry rot infestations,
• No heating or hot water,
• Dangerous electrical systems,
• Infestations of rats, mice and cockroaches

How can Osbornes solicitors help you?

To find out more about how to make a no win no fee claim for housing disrepair contact our Housing team at Osbornes who will be able to advise you on how best to bring this claim for the disrepair of your home.

Osbornes Housing team is ranked and recommended by the independent legal directories Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 as one of the most experienced and knowledgeable housing and disrepair teams in London.

To contact us either:

• Fill in our online enquiry form or
• Call us on 020 7485 8811