How to resolve disputes with your landlord

Have you ever had a disagreement with a landlord? Whether it is over repairs that haven’t been completed, harassing behaviour or discrimination, a dispute with a landlord is very common. In fact, recent research has revealed that over 50% of tenants have had some form of conflict or misunderstanding with a property owner at some point, while 35% of landlords experience at least one big disagreement with a tenant a year.

So what can you do if you’re unhappy with your landlord? You might think your only option is to pack up and move on to new pastures, but that is not true. Rather than heading out to find a new room, you should instead try these top tips first:

1. Focus on communication

The first thing that you should do is talk to your landlord. Poor communication is often one of the leading causes of a breakdown in the relationship between tenants and landlords. That is why if there is something that is concerning you or you have an issue with the property, then raise it as soon as you can.

The earlier you do this, the less bad blood that will arise and the quicker your landlord will be able to get to work correcting your concerns.

2. Stay cool

When it comes to your home, it’s only natural you want the very best, and if your landlord is not behaving the way you expect, it can be very frustrating. However, whenever you are engaging with them, make sure that you are being civil and polite, trying your best to keep calm and avoiding a full-blown argument.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that you cannot get your point across. You should still be firm with your communications but avoid raising your voice.

3. Put it in writing

While face-to-face conversations are always best when it comes to conflict resolution, make sure you’re following up on every conversation in writing. Sending an email after every discussion with the points you spoke about not only ensures you’re all on the same page, but it provides you with clear proof should you need to escalate this further.

4. Formally complain

If you have tried engaging with your landlord, but the issue has still not been resolved, then submit a formal letter of complaint. This should detail:

• What you’re complaining about
• How you wish for it to be resolved
• Details of any conversations you have already had
• Any photos of damaged items (if applicable)
• A note from your doctor if it concerns your health

If your landlord still doesn’t respond, then you should engage with your local council as they might be able to take action in certain situations.

If you have tried this step and are out of solutions, then your final step would be to take your landlord to court. This can be a very expensive action to make, though, and you should make sure that you speak with Citizens Advice before you start proceedings.