For problems with rogue landlords, such as rude behaviour or mismanagement, please select a section below.
Completing this service should take around 10 minutes.
To complete this service you will need.
- Your address and details
- Details of the problem
- The details such as address and names of your landlord or agency
- There are two main legal rights about this - one under the civil law and one under criminal law.
- There are two main legal rights about this - one under the civil law and one under criminal law.
If your property is with Nottingham City Homes or a Social Registered Landlord you must complain to them directly and have completed all avenues of their complaints system.
Issues can be sorted out informally but sometimes this doesn’t always work out, so the Council can take action for you.
However, there may also be times when we may feel that we’re unable to take formal action, but there are still other options, and youcantake your action under the Environmental Protection Act.
A Magistrates court can make an order against a person, and fine them, if they agree with you that the person is causing you a statutory nuisance.
If you decide that you want to go to Court though it would be a good idea toget adviceon proceedings and theclerk at Courtwill be able to advise you on the process and whether they feel you have a good case.
If successful, a magistrate can make a court order for the nuisance to stop, and even impose a fine.
Alternatively, it may be that mediation as a less formal route might be an option. To find a local service click here.
If you feel that you have been a victim of harassment or illegal eviction then you should contact:
- Nottingham City Councils Housing Aid service on 0115 876 3300
- The Police
In some situations, a landlord’s behaviour can end up with a tenant being owed a refund or ‘Rent Repayment Order’
This is to help promote good practise in the sector so if a landlord has:
- Entered the home of a tenant using violence, or
- Harassed or illegally evicted, or
- Not followed instruction in an Improvement Notice or Prohibition Order or
- Hasn’t got the licence needed for managing a property
The tenant can apply for arent repayment order.
When a tenant rents from a landlord they have a right to‘quiet enjoyment ’at their home. It’s one of the things they pay for when renting.
It means that they have the right to use and benefit of their home,withoutinterference from their landlord.
The landlord owns the property so they can still come and check to see that it’s being looked after and see if repairs are needed, but they should give at least 24 hours’ notice in writing (unless it’s an emergency).
Landlords and tenants should always work in cooperation wherever possible on this because it is in both their interests to make sure that the property is kept in good condition, but it should be remembered that a landlord does have the right of access.
Landlords should not interrupt the supplies of gas, electric or water, or use violence, threats, or abusive language or behaviour.
Nor should they let themselves into a home without 24 hours notice, or open post or remove tenants’ property. All of these actions could be seen by a Court as harassment.
The Council works closely with the Police in these cases because it is a criminal offence, and a landlord may be banned, and then not pass the 'fit and proper test’ to get a licence to rent in the City.
If a landlord wants a tenant to move out they must follow a strict legal procedure.
For the procedure that must be followed for different types of tenancy click here.
Usually, a landlord can only evict by going to Court. Depending on the reason the landlord wants to evict the notice needed can be different.
Where the proper legal procedure is not followed a Court may say that it's an illegal eviction, and this would make a landlord guilty of a criminal offence.
Things to avoid…
- Acting in a way that is likely to interfere with the peace or comfort of a tenant or anyone living with them
- Persistently withdraw or withhold services for which the tenant has a reasonable need to live in the premises as a home
Examples of what can constitute harassment can be found in this leaflet.
If it seems that harassment or illegal eviction have taken place then you should contact us.
Tel: 0115 876 1644