To think that once a landlord or letting agent makes provably false claims, their credibility (and my liability) should be questioned?

[BeTidyFinch]

I’ve noticed a pattern in renting where landlords or letting agents make claims that are factually incorrect - dates that don’t line up, statements that contradict the tenancy agreement, “requirements” that don’t exist in law or outright denials of things that are documented in writing. Once that happens, I struggle to see why tenants are still expected to accept everything else at face value or automatically take responsibility for alleged issues.

If a landlord or agent is demonstrably lying, misleading or careless with the truth, then surely their credibility is compromised. At that point, why should the tenant assume liability for claims that rest entirely on that same unreliable source? I’m not saying tenants should dodge genuine responsibilities but if one side is making false statements that can be proven as such, I think everything they assert should be scrutinised rather than accepted.

AIBU to think that once false claims are made, the burden of proof should firmly shift back onto the landlord/agent?

You can make a report against the agent by contacting their regulator with any evidence. The information shoud be displayed prominently on their website and it is an offence not to display it. There are only 3 so its easy to check which they are registered with. You should first contact them to ask for their complaints procedure, If they dont have one send a "letter before action" threatening to contact the regulater about the issue which is under dspute. Agents are a bunch of reptiles and often forget that your rent is paying their fees. So they are working to provide YOU the customer) with a service. They need reminding of this from time to time otherwise they will forget their place.