If you're involved in a rental dispute or court case, you'll want to be sure that you are represented by an attorney who is familiar with the rental and landlord's rights laws of the UK. Property owners and property managers tend to have much more legal experience than tenants and therefore understand what to anticipate when going to court on behalf of a property speculator. But there are generally some fairly easy rules which will ensure that the end result is achieved. In a heated situation or trial the judge and jury are entitled to take whatever decision they feel is fair. But if one side feels that the decision was wrong and unfair then an appeal can be made and the case could go to trial.
Often tenants are angry with their landlords for not meeting agreed rent increases or for changing the terms of the rental agreement without their permission or consent. The very first thing you need to do in such a case is to communicate your position with your landlord. You must be fair and above board with the property owner as otherwise he or she may choose to ignore your appeals.
You will first need to get the facts straight with the Landlord. Inform them of all the events which have led up to the current situation and the implications if there is no satisfactory agreement. You can do this in writing or verbally. Try to keep clear of the issues of the lease agreement, deposits and penalties and any other relevant issues that could prevent you from reaching an agreement with the tenant. Once you have done this inform your rental tribunal advocate of your intent to use the courts and if they refuse mediation first.
In the event that mediation is successful and a positive resolution is reached then both sides should sit down and try to reach an agreement. The Landlord and tenant's real estate agents should now work together to find a better solution. The Landlord should be willing to consider things like repairing wear and tear on the property, offering extra security measures such as smoke alarms, providing easier access to the tenants from the parking lot and changing the locks on the property.
There are various other issues that could be included in the negotiations such as changing the carpet in the accommodation, installing a doorbell, changing the locks and more. Most of these negotiations will go to court if the tenant and landlord cannot agree. It is highly advisable to employ a professional legal advisor to help you through the process and ensure that the rights of the both parties are protected. An experienced lawyer will know all the aspects relating to the rental tribunal, tenancy Tribunal and the Act.
If you feel the tenant has acted in an unprofessional manner or has been unfair in any way then you can approach the independent rental legal advisor to represent you. They will be able to advise you on the laws, rules and regulations related to the Act. It is always better to get a lawyer when dealing with the Tribunal because they will be able to get the amount of compensation that you deserve. Real estate agents will not have the knowledge and expertise to deal with these issues and may sway the decisions of the Tribunal in favour of the landlord. In the end the decision of the Tribunal will be binding on both the tenant and the landlord and both must abide by its decisions.