x
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your experience.

TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Tenant’s attempt to sue landlord for almost £14,000 is dismissed

A tenant’s appeal to recover £13,800 in rent and deposit from his landlord has been rejected by the Upper Tribunal for Scotland. 

The tenant’s monthly rent was £1,165 a month, but prior to the commencement of the tenancy, he and the landlord came to an arrangement whereby the appellant would pay an advance of 12 months’ rent, in the sum of £13,980, prior to entry. 

Sheriff Nigel Ross heard that the appellant James Malloch, formerly a tenant of the respondent Bernisdale Homes Ltd in relation to a property in Edinburgh, paid an advance of 12 months’ rent, in the sum of £13,980, prior to entry, which is the equivalent of a monthly rent of £1,165 a month. The arrangement was agreed prior to the commencement of the tenancy. 

Advertisement

The tenant attempted to sue his former landlord for repayment of his rent and deposit, on the basis that the pre-payment arrangement was a “requirement” that was “imposed” upon him.

But the tenant’s claim was dismissed by the Upper Tribunal for Scotland after it refused an appeal against a decision of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber), which had rejected the tenant’s claim after finding that he requested the arrangement. 

Sheriff Nigel Ross heard that the parties entered into a short assured tenancy agreement dated 8 November 2016, which was also the date of entry, with the initial term of the tenancy due to expire on 7 November 2017 but with a provision that the tenancy would continue thereafter on a monthly basis until terminated by either party. 

The appellant thereafter occupied the property in terms of the tenancy agreement until the respondent served notice to quit, in terms of which the tenancy was terminated in December 2018.

The renter was worried that he would not pass an “affordability” test if the respondent were to assess his means, primarily due to his low income. 

To meet this, he offered to pay 12 months’ rent in advance to secure the property, and the respondent accepted his proposal.

But to avoid paying the amount agreed, the appellant relied on section 89 of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984, which prohibits premiums or loans payable by rent in order to prevent landlords demanding extra payment over and above rent.

The Act also provides that any requirement imposed to pay rent in advance in excess of six months is void and unenforceable.

However, First-tier Tribunal for Scotland dismissed the claim that the pre-payment was imposed by the landlord. 

In a written decision, Sheriff Ross said: “The FtT [First-tier Tribunal] found in fact that the respondent had entered into an arrangement with the appellant, for a 12-month pre-payment of rent, at the instance and request of the appellant.

“The appellant made that request, to get around the fact that his income was insufficient to meet the financial requirements which the respondent would otherwise impose. On an ordinary reading of s.89(1), the section strikes at any ‘requirement’ which was ‘imposed’, whether as a condition of the grant, renewal or continuance of the tenancy or under the terms thereof.

“The FtT’s findings were that the pre-payment arrangement was neither a ‘requirement’, nor was ‘imposed’. Where the appellant requested such an arrangement, he could not argue that the requirement was ‘imposed’ upon him, or that the respondent made pre-payment a ‘condition of the grant’ of the tenancy. 

“The appellant argues that only the terms of the written agreement may be looked at. It is clear, however, that s.89 contemplates that pre-contract discussions will be relevant. To that extent the appellant’s argument is incorrect.

“The terms of clause 3 of the tenancy agreement stipulate ‘The first twelve months’ rent is payable at or before the entry date’. That requirement is absolute. 

“On the evidence, however, the pre-payment was not imposed ‘under the terms thereof’ for the purposes of s.89(1). Clause 3 reflects the parties’ agreement, upon which the FtT made findings. 

“It did and does not separately operate to impose a different or additional requirement. It makes no new requirement or imposition. It reflects the parties’ consensus. Accordingly, s.89(4) is not triggered.”

He continued: “The appellant relies on a published article by a legal practitioner who he describes as an expert, and criticises the FtT for not following that view. 

“The FtT, however, required to come to their own conclusion on the law, and did not err in not considering itself bound by the opinion of a commentator. 

“The FtT would have been in error if they delegated their own interpretation of the law to nay other source. They did not do so.”

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

  • icon

    I hope this individual now finds it difficult to find a house to rent, now that this judgement is in the public domain, it will be there for all to see in the findings of the FTT. Who would rent to someone that is clearly out to scam it?

    For people renting in Scotland, please always check the housing and property chamber website and search for the names of your prospective tenants under 'decisions'.

    There is always someone out trying to scam

    Surely it would have cost him legally too, so definitely not a worthwhile exercise

  • Tom Purcell

    He rented the house for over two years, paid the monthly rent from the beginning of year 2 and then tries to get his first years rent back in this nefarious manner. Scam artist. Hope he had to pay all the costs as well.

  • icon

    who funded the tenant--sounds like he would be unable to afford the proceedings himself

    icon

    Legal aid seems to be handed out to any old Tom, Dick, or Harry for any old reason, legal aid should be scrapped .

     
icon

Please login to comment

MovePal MovePal MovePal
sign up