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Deutsch Questions

Do you have a renting problem, please see below how we can help

Contact the Renters Alliance

How much does the National Renters Association cost?
What do I get for my money?
Do you recommend a good landlord?
Do you have knowledge or history of my landlord?
What is the Landlord/tenants deposit scheme?
If deposits are required to be protected, why do so many landlords steal deposits or make deductions?
Will I get my deposit back from my Landlord?
So I will have to go to court?
I’m scared of going to court, do I have to go?
What is the court hearing like? Is it scary?
What Evidence will I need to get my deposit back?
I am having problems with the property and my landlord is not doing anything about it what can I do?
What are my Landlord's repair responsibilities?
What are my repair responsibilities?
What do I do if my landlord won’t do repairs?
My landlord is charging me for wear and tear, what is this?
Can I withhold rent?
I’m being harassed by my landlord, what can I do?
What qualifies as harassment?
What are emergency repairs?
Can my Landlord Evict me?

 

How much does the National Renters Association cost?

If the issue is a deposit recovery we charge 26% of the deposit recovered. To begin the process we ask for a deposit recovery fee of £50 which is refundable to begin the process of recovering your deposit. Alternatively if you would like greater cover for your rental agreement either during or on taking out a new rental agreement, NRA membership fees are as follows.

Monthly Rent

Monthly

1 Year

Less than £800 pcm

£17

£179 (save £25)

£800-£1200 pcm

£22

£234 (save £30)

more than £1200 pcm

£27

£289 (save £35)

 

What do I get for my money?

We will pursue your landlord or letting agent if they unfairly withhold money from your security deposit. We will assist with all stages of the recovery process in a professional manner. We will also help you if your landlord or letting agent is not fulfilling their legal duties as a landlord. This could be building repairs or harassment.

 

Do you recommend a good landlord?

Our website has a recommended list for members.

 

Do you have knowledge or history of my landlord?

Who is your landlord? We will investigate and respond by e-mail.

 

What is the Landlord/tenants deposit scheme?

Your landlord is required to register your deposit in a government-backed deposit guarantee scheme and supply a LDS number.

 

If deposits are required to be protected, why do so many landlords steal deposits or make deductions?

Your landlord is in charge of returning your deposit to you at the end of your tenancy, however many landlords add charges such as professional cleaning or charges for damage which renters do not know how to challenge. Further, if you invite your landlord to use the deposit guarantee scheme mediation service he/she may refuse and there is no compulsion for your landlord to use this service leaving court action the only option for resolution.

 

Will I get my deposit back from my Landlord?

Very often landlords and agents will make unwarranted deductions from your security deposit which we can challenge. If you owe no outstanding rent and have looked after the property in a responsible manner, the burden of proof is on the landlord to show why he or she has taken money from your deposit. The National Renters Alliance will help you through this process.

 

So I will have to go to court?

Probably not. Most disputes between landlords and renters are settled well before it becomes necessary to start court proceedings. At the National Renters Alliance, we know how to put pressure on irresponsible or unreasonable landlords for them to return the money they owe you, court action is, nd always should be, an option of last resort. However, if you have behaved responsibly and your landlord is refusing all mediation efforts we will help you file a dispute with the courts.

 

I’m scared of going to court, do I have to go?

In the rare cases that court proceedings are warranted, the court will encourage both parties to mediate and offer a mediation service before a hearing date is scheduled. In most cases landlords who know that they are not entitled to keep money from your deposit will return it to avoid the risk of escalating costs associated with a court hearing. If we believe that you have genuinely been wronged we will offer advice and support during this process giving you peace of mind.

 

What is the court hearing like? Is it scary?

Absolutely not. Most people imagine a stern judge and a panel of jurors. However if your case does go to court it will be held in medium-sized room with only a judge, sometimes a secretary and your landlord if he/she turns up. The judge will do everything to put you at ease and gently determine the facts about the case.

 

What Evidence will I need to get my deposit back?

When you joined the National Renters Alliance you were asked to upload copies of your tenancy agreement and inventory and photos of the property when you moved in. We also ask for photos of when you moved out. If you have behaved responsibly during your tenancy there will be minor changes in the property at the beginning and end of the agreement and your landlord will have to prove that the deterioration of the property was more than reasonable wear-and-tear. If you have kept the property well and have provided us with photos before and after you will usually have a good chance of getting most, if not all of your deposit back.

 

I am having problems with the property and my landlord is not doing anything about it what can I do?

As a member we will advise you as to your and your landlord’s repairing obligations. If your landlord refuses to make repairs write to us and we will correspond with your landlord on your behalf.

 

What are my Landlord's repair responsibilities?

Your landlord is responsible for repairs, including to:

Your landlord also must put right any damage to internal decorations caused by repair problems or while repairs were carried out.

Your landlord is responsible for repairing or replacing faulty items or appliances they provided, such as a fridge or washing machine. Your landlord isn't responsible for fixing any appliances or furniture you own.

Your landlord doesn't have to fix repair problems until they know about them. Report any problems to your landlord as soon as you can.

 

What are my repair responsibilities?

You must use your home in a responsible way.

This includes:

You probably have to pay for repairs if you cause damage to the property or the furniture, even if was an accident. This is quite different from fair wear and tear which you should not have to pay for. If you don't fix damage you've caused, the landlord could deduct money from your tenancy deposit to pay for it.

 

What do I do if my landlord won’t do repairs?

There are various options for action to take against a landlord who doesn't do repairs he/she is responsible for. Before you consider further action, make sure you have reported the repair problems to your landlord and given them a reasonable time to start and finish the work. Landlords are usually only responsible for doing repairs they've been told about. You can report repair problems to your landlord's letting agent if they manage repairs on behalf of your landlord. If your landlord or letting agent still won’t arrange repairs please contact us and we will discuss the relevant redress procedure.

 

My landlord is charging me for wear and tear, what is this?

Your landlord should not charge you or take money from your tenancy deposit because of normal wear and tear which is caused by day-to-day living. Examples of wear-and tear include

You must look after a rented home, but your landlord can't expect it to be returned in exactly the same state as it was when you moved in.

 

Can I withhold rent?

You do not have the right to stop paying the rent. However, if your landlord/Agent is not fulfilling their repairing obligations, it may be possible to pay for the repairs using your rent, but you must follow a set procedure. The National Renters Association can assist with these types of problems. Please contact us if this becomes an issue.

 

I’m being harassed by my landlord, what can I do?

Harassment is illegal and can be reported to the police. If you are being harassed by your landlord, insist that all communication be given in writing and record calls on your mobile.  The police will usually require evidence of several harassment incidents before they can take action.

 

What qualifies as harassment?

There are many forms of harassment. Common examples of landlord and letting agent harassment include:

 

What are emergency repairs?

There are times when the landlord or their agents will need immediate access to your home. This is usually a safety issue and they do not need permission to access the property. Examples of such emergencies include:

 

Can my Landlord Evict me?

You can be evicted if you have rent arrears, regardless of why the rent arrears exist. In most cases your landlord must go to court to get an order to evict you. If your landlord/agent threatens you with eviction please contact us immediately.

 

Se avete bisogno di ulteriori informazioni su Alleanza Nazionale di inquilini, si prega di contattarci via e-mail all'indirizzo:

e.: contact@nralliance.co.uk

I had quite a good relationship which my landlady until I moved out of my flat when she wouldn't return my deposit. The NRA checked her out and she hadn't registered the deposit either. They communicated with the landlady on my behalf highlighting that she'd be eligible for a fine for breaking deposit guarantee rules. She accepted and the issue was solved in a few months. Good, fast service!

Jenny Dry, Brixton

Contact the Renters Alliance