GUEST BLOG: ‘Tenants must stop refusing access for repairs and maintenance’
Evictions specialists say punishing landlords and agents for not reaching property quality minimums should go hand in hand with measures to stop tenants unnecessarily refusing access.
The Government recently announced plans to restrict housing benefit payments to landlords whose properties do not meet minimum standards.
Ministers revealed that they want to “help the most vulnerable in society with a crack down on exploitative behaviour by rogue and criminal supported housing landlords, who are costing the taxpayer by claiming uncapped housing benefit in return for providing squalid homes for the most vulnerable, leaving them without the care or support they need”.
While improving housing quality is necessary, the proposed measures fail to address a key issue: landlords often face compliance challenges because tenants refuse to grant access for inspections and repairs.
Landlords who make reasonable efforts to maintain their properties should not be penalised when tenants obstruct necessary maintenance.
Current regulations place the entire compliance burden on landlords while failing to provide clear legal recourse when tenants refuse access.
Without addressing this, landlords acting in good faith will continue to face unfair penalties.
Strict legal requirements fail to account for cases where tenants deny entry for inspections or repairs, creating a situation where landlords are blamed for non-compliance despite having taken all reasonable steps.
Those who cannot access their properties may be fined or restricted from receiving benefit payments, even when they have actively attempted to rectify issues.
The absence of a streamlined process for enforcing access leaves landlords navigating legal uncertainty with limited support.
Rather than increasing regulation, policymakers should focus on practical solutions that allow landlords to meet their compliance obligations.
Legal framework
A legal framework that ensures landlords can gain access for essential maintenance would prevent tenants from using refusals to delay necessary repairs.
Clearer obligations for tenants to facilitate inspections and maintenance would ensure fair compliance processes that take both landlord and tenant responsibilities into account.
A system that supports landlords in meeting their obligations would be more effective than one that simply adds further restrictions.
A compliance system should not rely on excessive regulation and penalties. A fair process must acknowledge both landlord and tenant responsibilities.
Practical support
Landlords who follow the law should have access to practical support that enables them to meet legal standards rather than facing blanket restrictions that fail to consider individual circumstances.
A structured, proactive approach ensures landlords can manage compliance effectively. Instead of penalising those who attempt to comply, a fair system would provide the tools and mechanisms needed to resolve property issues efficiently.
Also, this approach must include practical solutions that address tenant access refusals, clear guidance for landlords acting in good faith, and a compliance system that considers both landlord and tenant responsibilities.
Landlords concerned about compliance risks can benefit from specialist tenancy guidance that allows them to identify and address legal challenges early.
Author bio
Nathan Dawson is a Senior Client Compliance Auditor at AST Assistance.
Whatever the problem whatever the issue the answer is always that it is the landlords fault.
Tenants are victims. Landlords are part of the oppressor class. Tenants are the oppressed class.
This is the ideology of the woke modern world. It is so far removed from the reality of life its difficult to know where to start.
Take mould for example, i’ve been a lettings manager for close to 20 years and in 90%+ of cases its due to tenants not ventilating their properties properly, opening windows, drying clothes on radiators etc however the government and local authorities insist its always the landlords fault. A knee jerk reaction to the tragic death of a young child.
Where will all this end up? God only knows but it won’t end well……
This is certainly an issue with problem tenants who moan and then are ‘too busy’ to let contractors in. How many times have we heard, ‘oh, cant the plumber come on Sunday after 3.00pm?’. Let’s be honest, the government will not help landlords with this issue (no profit or votes in it for them!). We, the professional agents have to do all the work. Good communication with the housing officers, most are really sensible and know the score in my opinion and constant records of communication with the tenants (especially cancelled contractor appointments) to protect the landlord and ourselves if the tenants go to the Ombudsman. Just more work for us and our teams!