Drug use in communal building areas - Landlord's responsibility?

Landlord Discussion
1

Hi all

I have an ex council flat in Hackney that is still part of a council owned block and the new tenants have complained to me about drug users entering the communal stairwell and consuming drugs and using it as a toilet. This used to occur when I first lived in the property but once the security door was added it stopped, but upon enquiring with the previous tenants, they told me it’s once again become a regular occurance. They had no direct problems with the users, but the new tenants have already had a confrontation and been threatened with violence.

They and some other neighbours have called the police, but they won’t do anything. I myself have raised the issue with the council, and am yet to hear back. No one knows how they are gaining entry to the building, whether one of the elder residents is buzzing them in or if they somehow have procurred a key fob (there are key safes outside).

My questionn is am I resonsible for any of this as a landlord? Can my tenants withold the rent if they feel unsafe coming and going from their apartment? It is very far from ideal, but it could also be considered a downside to life in Hackney, and I did ask the tenants in the screening questions if they were familiar with the area.

Any advice or information gladly received.

Kind regards

Dominic

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You will be paying an annual service charge to Hackney Council for services including security. As freeholder of the block and being responsible for communal areas this is their problem, and they should be working with the police to solve it. There should be a council Housing or Regeneration office or something on the estate that can be visited, but this isn’t your responsibility. Of course, if you wish to retain the tenants you might want to make it your responsibility voluntarily, but that’s a different thing. There also may be a tenants association for the block or the estate and you can go through them.

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Thanks for the reply Graham, that is pretty much how I see the situation. I will endeavour to work with the tenants and the council to try and get the matter resolved… but won’t hold my breath. Cheers

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You’re not liable and the tenants cannot withhold rent. However, they can just give notice and move out and you would be obliged to then tell any new prospective tenants about the problem before they sign up.

1 Like
5

Thanks for the reply David, didn’t receive a notification at the time

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