CIA Landlords

Landlord and Tenant Disputes

Here, you’ll find comprehensive advice pieces on how to manage landlord and tenant disputes. Dealing with tenant and neighbourly disputes in the correct way is so important as a landlord, whether it be noise complaints or financial disputes.
An exasperated woman on the sofa holding cushions over each ear because of tenant noise.

How to manage tenant noise as a landlord

06-11-2024

Even if you have thoroughly vetted your tenants, there’s no guarantee that they won’t cause excessive noise in the property. This could lead to neighbours, or even the local authority, taking action. When you’re not the one making noise, is a noisy tenant still a landlord’s responsibility? Well, the short answer is ‘no’, but there […]
An image of an eviction notice being put on a door.

How to evict a tenant if the deposit is not protected

16-10-2024

You may be wondering how to evict your tenant if their deposit has not been protected, and the truth is, not easily. The law requires that landlords put their tenants’ deposit in a deposit protection scheme within 30 days of receiving it, and failure to do so could lead to harsh penalties from the court.  […]
An image of a landlord kicking tenants out.

What to do when you receive harassment from tenants

14-10-2024

There’s not much literature around landlords receiving harassment from tenants, but that’s not to say it isn’t a problem that landlords face at times. Harassment from tenants can take many different forms, causing excessive damage to your property without repairing the damage and refusing to pay rent. Here, we’ll take a look at what you […]
An exasperated woman on the sofa holding cushions over each ear because of tenant noise.

What are the most common tenant complaints?

07-10-2024

If you are new to being a landlord, you may be wondering what the most common tenant complaints are and how you can equip yourself to effectively deal with them.  Not all complaints from tenants will be the same, and so there is not one way to effectively manage situations like these. However, there are […]
An image of a woman holding out a tenant eviction notice.

Tenant eviction notice (Section 21)

27-09-2024

A Section 21 tenant eviction notice is the first step taken by the landlord to start the eviction process. The landlord will tell the tenant how much notice they have to vacate the property before a possession order is given.  A section 21 tenant eviction notice gets its name from the section of the Act […]
A close-up of a hand knocking on a front door.

What is landlord harassment?

02-09-2024

Quite often, the key to a happy tenancy is a positive landlord-tenant relationship. Tensions and conflict between the two parties will likely drive tenants out in no time. It’s really important that as a landlord, you remain professional and don’t let your feelings get the better of you in difficult and strained times. Doing so […]
A picture of a gavel ontop of books with a book titled 'Landlord tenant law' in front of it.

Why landlords would need to implement an early tenancy termination

27-08-2024

As a landlord, maintaining a steady stream of rental income and minimising turnover costs will easily become your primary objectives. There may be times, however, when implementing an early tenancy termination is beneficial for both yourself and your tenant.  There are different reasons as to why you might feel the need to terminate a tenancy […]

What is classed as harassment from a landlord?

21-08-2024

There are certain laws and regulations in place to ensure that landlord-tenant relationships remain fair and that both parties are respected throughout the process. One critical aspect of these laws is the safeguarding of tenants against landlord harassment.  Harassment from a landlord can severely impact a tenant’s quality of life and their ability to enjoy […]
An image of an eviction notice letter and a person with their head in their hands.

How to serve an eviction notice

29-07-2024

The eviction process can be a challenging one for any landlord, often involving a mix of legal requirements, emotional strain, and logistical hurdles. Understanding how to properly serve an eviction notice is crucial for ensuring the process is both legal and efficient. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps of serving […]
An image of an eviction notice and a wooden model of a house.

Evicting someone with a Writ of Possession

29-07-2024

A writ of possession can be a great tool for landlords when navigating the challenging aspects of dealing with non-compliant tenants. While eviction is never the ideal outcome, sometimes it can be the only choice to maintain the integrity of your property and the well-being of your rental business.   This blog will explore the eviction […]
An inspector holding a pen and paper, waling around the house, looking at a window.

How to Conduct an End of Tenancy Inspection

31-05-2024

As a landlord, ensuring your property remains in top condition is crucial. Regular maintenance and responsible tenants are important, but a vital step often overlooked is the end of tenancy inspection.  This process safeguards your investment by identifying any damages and guaranteeing a smooth handover to new tenants. Whether you’re a seasoned landlord or just […]
A magnifying glass with a checklist and a model of a house

A landlord's guide to property inventory

26-03-2024

As a landlord, one of the most crucial steps you can take to protect your property and foster a positive relationship with your tenants is to create a comprehensive property inventory.  This detailed document not only serves as a safety net in case of disputes but also sets clear expectations for the condition of the […]
Office blocks.

How to evict a commercial tenant

13-02-2024

Evicting a commercial tenant in the UK is a process governed by specific laws and regulations. As a landlord, it’s crucial to understand these legal frameworks to ensure that eviction is carried out fairly and lawfully. It is also important to understand the notice period you need to give your tenant before eviction.  Here, we provide […]
A gavel next to a figure of a house.

Commercial landlord laws and regulations

06-02-2024

Navigating the complex terrain of commercial landlord laws and regulations can be a daunting task. These laws are designed to balance the interests of landlords and tenants, ensuring that the leasing and operation of commercial property are conducted fairly and legally.  Here, we provide an overview of the key aspects of commercial landlord laws and […]

Boundary Disputes

06-09-2023

Boundary disputes can be awkward for everyone involved; the neighbours, the tenant and the landlord. Any arguments are uncomfortable but unfortunately, boundary issues are pretty common. Under the umbrella term of boundary disputes comes high hedges, dilapidated fences and walls and shared driveways, amongst others. In the modern day, people are living in much closer […]

Neighbours Dumping Rubbish

28-07-2023

Good relationships with our neighbours is something that we all aspire to, whether we are property owners or tenants – but sadly, not all neighbours become good friends. Some can be less-than-friendly in their actions which could impact on you and/or your tenants. One example of such potentially problematic behaviour is the dumping of rubbish. […]

How to take a tenant to a small claims court

04-07-2023

If you decide to take legal action against your tenant for a fee under £10,000, then the case might be sent to a Small Claims Court. Here, the judge will read all the evidence and decide either to accept your claim and demand that the tenant pays you the costs or delay or dismiss it. […]

How landlords can mediate neighbourly disputes

12-10-2022

If you’re in the middle of your tenants and their neighbours dispute, you’ll want to resolve it as quickly as possible. Your tenants are paying for service. That service is your property to sleep, eat and live in. If that service is disrupted by neighbours, you’ll need to put on your mediation hat and try […]

How much notice for a tenant that disrupts neighbours?

18-05-2022

No one wants to be a killjoy. But disruptive tenants can have a knock-on effect and become a real problem for the whole street or apartment building. Everyone is entitled to the quiet enjoyment of their property and most tenancy agreements require tenants to not do anything that causes disruption to neighbours  – whether it’s […]

Are tenants liable for damages to a neighbour's property?

22-03-2022

It can be tricky for landlords to figure out what they’re liable for and what tenants are liable for, particularly when it comes to damage to a neighbour’s property. After all, if your tenant floods the neighbour’s flat, they should be the one who foots the bill and not you, right? The good news is […]

Disputes with neighbours over building work

18-11-2021

Let’s face it, neighbours can make life difficult – even at your buy-to-let. So, when you get good neighbours, try to keep them around. Maintaining good neighbourly relations and avoiding neighbourly disputes is sometimes just as important as having a good relationship with tenants. The trouble is, staying on good footing with the neighbours can get tricky when […]

Planning disputes with neighbours

22-10-2021

You’ve probably heard of the famous quote, “good fences make good neighbours.” But what exactly did the American poet, Robert Frost, mean by this? To put it simply, neighbourly relations are at their best when neighbours don’t encroach on each other’s property. Neighbours don’t always make life easy – especially when it comes to buy-to-lets. […]

Garden disputes with neighbours

29-09-2021

Good neighbourship is not just limited to being friendly or keeping noise down, it also includes keeping on top of your garden. Sadly, your trees and hedges could become a point of contention with your neighbours and vice versa. Or at least if you don’t regularly maintain them, that is. Whether it’s a case of […]

How to Resolve Neighbour Disputes

17-06-2021

It goes without saying that we all want to get along with our neighbours. That will be no less the case for your tenant. And even if a dispute were to arise, most of us would hope that a discreet chat would be enough to solve the problem. In reality, though, neighbour disputes can often […]

Resolving Noise Issues

01-04-2021

No landlord wants to be faced with noise issues – whether they’re coming from your tenants or your tenant’s neighbours. Our homes are our safe spaces. When someone else’s lifestyle interrupts this, it’s often not long until the frustration reaches boiling point. Excessive noise can soon begin to impact everyday life. Whether your tenant is […]

Neighbour Harassment

04-03-2020

Neighbourhood disputes are never good for a landlord’s reputation – even if they are totally out of a landlord’s control. You might not want to get involved, but it could reflect badly on you if you don’t. After all, as a landlord one of your most important responsibilities is your duty of care to your […]

Neighbourly Disputes Jargon Buster

12-10-2018

Neighbourly disputes are amongst the most unpleasant issues to have as a landlord and of course, as a tenant. Things can get very nasty very quickly and with neighbours, there isn’t often anywhere to escape the issue. Be clued up on how to handle these situations and be sure to know your jargon by brushing […]

Top 5 Neighbourly Disputes in Rented Property Infographic

12-10-2018

CIA Landlords can compare landlord insurance to find the perfect policy for your needs. To find out how we can help, contact us and get a quote today.

Neighbourly Disputes

10-10-2018

One of the hardest things about neighbourly disputes as a landlord is the lack of day-to-day control you have over what your tenant does in relation to whatever situation they’re in, whether it’s their fault or not. Niggles and problems are magnified and made worse between neighbours because they are usually raised in the wrong […]
Damaged Property

Damaged Property

Most landlords will experience an issue of some degree with damages to their property at some point. We advise on how to handle deliberate and non-deliberate damage to the property or its contents.

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Financial

Financial

It’s so important for landlords to know their stuff when it comes to money and finances. Here you’ll find advice on everything from rental arrears, deposits and many other important financial issues.

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Illegal Activity

Illegal Activity

We explore and advise on issues regarding illegal activity taking place at a rented property – with everything from drugs and cannabis farms, to the setting up of secret brothels and gambling dens.

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Landlord and Tenant Disputes

Landlord and Tenant Disputes

Here, you’ll find comprehensive advice pieces on how to manage landlord and tenant disputes. Dealing with tenant and neighbourly disputes in the correct way is so important as a landlord, whether it be noise complaints or financial disputes.

More information
Landlord Insurance Advice

Landlord Insurance Advice

Landlord insurance can protect landlords in the event of fire, theft, loss of rent and more. Whether you’re considering cover or have just taken out a policy, we’ll guide you through the topic of landlord insurance.

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Legal Advice for Landlords

Legal Advice for Landlords

It’s important to approach legal issues carefully to honour your tenants’ rights, so pay attention to the details. Find advice on the most common legal issues landlords face.

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Other

Other

We explore all of the other issues and situations that may arise for landlords, so that you can feel confident and in-the-know.

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Pets

Pets

Should you relax your ‘no pets’ policy, or is an animal-friendly rental a recipe for disaster? We explore the pro’s and con’s of housing tenants furry friends and how to deal with unauthorised pets, complaints and damages.

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Property Access

Property Access

Once you hand over the keys to your tenant, you can’t just turn up and visit your buy-to-let property as and when you like. Here you’ll find advice on the correct protocols to follow when carrying out inspections and guidance on what might constitute too much contact between you and your tenant.

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Property Maintenance & Interiors

Property Maintenance & Interiors

Every landlord wants their rental property to stay in top condition, and tenants may want to decorate their new home. Read our advice about garden and property maintenance, and interiors here.

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Property Occupants

Property Occupants

Squatters and unregistered tenants and guests are more common than you might think, so it’s vital you’re aware of the rules and regulations and how to deal with these issues correctly. We explore the in’s and out’s of squatters rights and secret subletters so that you don’t get caught out.

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Safety Regulations

Safety Regulations

It’s a landlord's responsibility to ensure that a rental property is compliant with all safety regulations - from gas certificates to fire safety measures. Here, we talk about every safety regulation you should be aware of.

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Screening Process

Screening Process

It’s no secret that the screening process is so important to get right, as it’s the foundations to ensuring an easy and simple tenancy. Here, we offer advice regarding applications, credit and background checks – and everything else you may need to know before selecting your future tenants.

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Utilities

Utilities

There is often confusion around the topic of utilities. Even with the tenants’ names on the bill, landlords can still be responsible in some cases. We’ll guide you through the topic of utilities here.

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Home selling secrets

Amina was very helpful in sorting out my landlord’s insurance and spotted an error in my cover which helped reduce my premium.

First time landlords

We are first time landlords and you gave good advice and the process was easy and good value.

A pleasure to deal with

A pleasure to deal with, the lady on the phone was a credit to her company.