A law student used housing law knowledge she gained whilst studying and volunteering at a law clinic to successfully challenge her landlord over a repair bill, it has emerged.

SILKS Law Clinic, the University of Salford Business School’s community legal advice service, revealed it had seen an 18% increase in housing-related claims this year. One of its volunteers, Obioma Ibe, a third year LLB law student at the business school, ‘knows first-hand what it’s like to run into challenges with a rental property’.

When Ibe moved out of her former home, the clinic said her landlord tried to claim her £1,038 deposit to cover repair costs. Ibe filed a claim against him with the independent adjudicator for her deposit and in the small claims court for damages.

Obioma Ibe

Ibe: 'I gained some knowledge of tenants’ rights due to the housing law module'

Ibe said: ‘Upon moving into my rental property I had reported a few issues, including a broken window, broken and dirty blinds, plus no hot water from the kitchen tap, which my landlord assured me would be fixed. However, as time went on this never happened. It was only when I moved out that he attempted to charge me to fix the broken window along with several other issues that had been raised in the initial inventory and I knew he was responsible for. This included redecorating for general wear and tear, repairing the broken bathtub, replacing the blinds, as well as fixing a dripping tap - which had not been caused by myself or my family.

‘I gained some knowledge of tenants’ rights due to the housing law module I had studied through the university law clinic and did some further research to build on this, confirming repairs of this nature are in fact the landlord’s responsibility. Having this insight gave me the confidence to go to the small claims court, where I was able to represent myself and argue my cases with evidence. This led to the landlord refunding my deposit and the rent overpayment he owed me.’

Solicitor Louise Hall, senior law lecturer at the university and law clinic lead, said: ‘If/when the Renters (Reform) Bill passes into law this should help protect tenants further by freeing them to report disrepair more without fear of eviction. It’s brilliant to see students like Obi being aware of and exerting their rights.’