Derecho de arrendamientos
Arrendamientos residenciales y comerciales, protección del inquilino y desahucios.
Introducción
El derecho de arrendamientos regula los derechos y obligaciones de propietarios e inquilinos en propiedades residenciales y comerciales.
Principios fundamentales
Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) — The default residential tenancy since 1997, providing limited security of tenure. Landlords may recover possession using a s.21 notice (no-fault) or s.8 notice (fault-based grounds).
Deposit Protection — Landlords must protect tenancy deposits in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. Failure to do so prevents service of a s.21 notice and may result in penalties of 1–3 times the deposit.
Fitness for Habitation — The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 implies a covenant that the dwelling is fit for human habitation throughout the tenancy.
Repairing Obligations — Under s.11 Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords of short leases must keep the structure and exterior in repair and maintain installations for water, gas, electricity, heating, and sanitation.
Protection from Eviction — The Protection from Eviction Act 1977 makes it a criminal offence to unlawfully evict or harass a residential tenant.
Commercial Security of Tenure — Under Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, business tenants have the right to renew their lease at the end of the term, unless the landlord can establish a statutory ground for opposition.
Right to Rent — Under the Immigration Act 2014, landlords must check tenants' immigration status (right to rent checks).
Disrepair Claims — Tenants may bring claims for disrepair and seek damages, injunctions, or rent reduction where the landlord breaches repairing covenants.
Leyes clave
Housing Act 1988
Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
Protection from Eviction Act 1977
Casos principales
Escenarios comunes
Landlord fails to protect deposit
If a landlord does not protect a tenancy deposit within 30 days, the tenant may apply to the county court for an order requiring protection and compensation of 1–3 times the deposit amount. The landlord also cannot serve a valid s.21 notice until the deposit is properly protected or returned.
Eviction without a court order
A landlord who changes the locks or physically removes a tenant without a court order commits a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. The tenant may also claim damages in tort for unlawful eviction.
Commercial lease renewal dispute
A business tenant whose lease is expiring may serve a s.26 request for a new tenancy. The landlord can only oppose on specific statutory grounds (e.g., persistent rent arrears, intention to redevelop). If the landlord successfully opposes on certain grounds, statutory compensation may be payable to the tenant.