The Humber Landlords Association (HLA) has lost a landmark legal case against Hull Council. The association took the council to court after it introduced a new housing policy that meant landlords were handed formal improvement notices, even for relatively minor repairs. Landlords complained that mortgage lenders might withdraw funding if they were the subject of formal action, but the court found in the council’s favour, ruling that it was within its right to implement the new policy.
The landlord’s association, which had help from the National Landlords Association and the Residential Landlords Association to bring the case to court, has now been ordered to pay the council’s court costs. But it remains defiant and says it will lodge an appeal against the judgement, describing the charges as “unfair”.
Hull Council Speaks Out
A representative from Hull Council has accused the HLA of making misleading claims. The manager for neighbourhoods and housing, Dave Richmond, says landlords can avoid charges if they sort out problems quickly. He points out that many of the private rental homes in Hull are old Victorian terraces that have been maintained to a poor standard.
“Some [landlords] are doing fantastic conversions, but equally others are investing the bare minimum, homes that are not fit for 2019,” he said.
Council Willing to Work with Landlords
The council is urging landlords to work with them to improve the quality of housing in the city, but the HLA is accusing them of implementing the new policy to raise extra money for the council to use.
The first visit from a Hull Council housing officer will cost a landlord £250, and if more visits are needed, the costs keep rising.
“I agree every landlord has a duty to protect the tenant, but it makes every landlord look like they are guilty and having to prove their innocence,” says Danny Gough from the HLA.
Local landlords are not happy about the situation, but until the case goes to the appeal’s court, they will have to watch and wait to see what happens next.
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