landlord doing nothing

Savvy_Sue

purple-smartie wrote:

Ive never had a rent book in the 3 years ive lived here, she just writes the date and how much rent i pay on a envelope.

That might be considered adequate, I'm not sure. Is it always the same envelope or a different one each time? I'm sure the intention is that there is a record of what's been paid and when rather than a motley collection of receipts.

black-saturn

lush_walrus wrote:

Sounds awful, but out of curiousity why stay there, personally if I were you I wouldnt be encouraging a landlord like that by staying there for 3 years, or indeed any longer. Can you give notice and move to a new nicer place? I know its a hassle, but surely if you have got to the stage where you are embaraced to have people come around then its time to move on. Regardless of what happens with your complaints at the moment and if eventually you get the landlord to get the work done, surely you will find yourself in this position with them again and again.

If its anything like here there are no decent vacant houses available and when one does become vacant theres a long list of people who want it. I'm afraid someone with children and on benefit against a professional without children has got no chance. There are also no vacant council houses here either and at least a 6 month waiting list for one of those, even if your in dire need of housing.

purple-smartie

thats exactly the position im in. Ive Had my name down with the council and housing association for around a year now. Last time i phoned the council I was 51st on the list and they admitted that houses are like gold dust, specially 3 bedroomed ones as most of them have been sold off. The housing association looks like my best bet but they too have told me that they only have a handful of houses in my area with no plans of any coming empty soon though they will contact me as soon as someone gives in notice to move. My only other option is another private rented property but then I have the problem of rent prices being around £120 a week and Housing benefit only covers me up to £85.

Reguarding the envelope, yes its always the same one.

black-saturn

I was on the list for 16 years and never got anything. I've got my own house now though :j

Let us know how you get on with everything.

Savvy_Sue

purple-smartie wrote:

thats exactly the position im in. Ive Had my name down with the council and housing association for around a year now. Last time i phoned the council I was 51st on the list and they admitted that houses are like gold dust, specially 3 bedroomed ones as most of them have been sold off. The housing association looks like my best bet but they too have told me that they only have a handful of houses in my area with no plans of any coming empty soon though they will contact me as soon as someone gives in notice to move. My only other option is another private rented property but then I have the problem of rent prices being around £120 a week and Housing benefit only covers me up to £85.

I would say it is worth making sure both the local council and the HA knows that the house you are living in is in disrepair, it SHOULD get you extra 'points'. I'm not sure whether telling the lettings team at the council this will automatically trigger them into chasing up the landlord, but I'd be quite surprised if it did.

As to being '51st on the list' you might be higher up than that for a 3 bedroomed house. I know when I worked in this field that there was a common waiting list for council houses and HA houses, so someone might be quite low down the list BUT would be offered one sooner than someone higher up, because the property offered has to fit the tenant's needs. So unless the people above you are all waiting for a 3 bedroomed house, you may be further up now. Anyway, it's always worth phoning to check at regular intervals: they should be in touch with you at least once a year to check you are still wanting housing and that their record of your circumstances is accurate.

purple-smartie wrote:

Reguarding the envelope, yes its always the same one.

Anyone like to offer an opinion on whether this consitutes a rent book?

Counting_Pennies_2

Savvy_Sue wrote:

it's always worth phoning to check at regular intervals: they should be in touch with you at least once a year to check you are still wanting housing and that their record of your circumstances is accurate.

I would definitely recommend continually ringing them. Waiting lists are all well and good but as SS says the lists don't always work that way as it is on a needs basis in terms of rooms etc. The more regularly you phone and laying on thick the state of your current accommodation the more likely you are to stay in their minds when allocating the houses, you never know!

Alleycat

Re the lack of rent book, you are legally entitled to one if you pay your rent weekly. You are not automatically entitled to a rent book if your rent is paid monthly etc, but you should get receipts or pay by standing order, cheque as proof of payment.

I am in work tomorrow so I will ask around the office to see if the envelope is worth anything.

What do you use when you are claiming housing benefit?

Just in case it is relevant, as long as you are making regular rent payments, regardless of whether you have a rent book or tenancy agreement, you automatically form an assured shorthold tenancy, so you will still have rights.

With regard the envelope, is it signed at all when you make payment? If it isn't, you should request your landlady sign it as up to date. I would suggest buying a rent book yourself (you can pick them up in most stationery shops, WH Smith etc) and filling it in with your landlady. She can be prosecuted if she refuses to use a rent book or provide receipts for payment.

Regarding the original issue of disrepair, this link has got loads of useful information.

mummytofour

Here there are three lists, one for council tennants that need/want to exchange one for homeless ppl and one for ppl like yourself ( general list) I totally agree with everything that has been said about the EH. If she does throw you out you will get temp acc and that will deem you as homeless that way you will get homed much quicker.

I totally understand that, thta is not a good situation when you have children but nor are damp conditions. With luck the EH can sort her out!

Vxx

purple-smartie

Well she came tonight to pck up the rent. She asked me to turn on the hallway light so she could see to write on the envelope so I reminded her that the light doesnt work. She asked me if I had bought a new tv or cd player as that might be making the lights fuse I told her no so she said she would get someone out before christmas to take a look. I did post a letter yesterday but she said tonight that the lights in her *new* house keep fusing. I didnt click until she had gone as she came at a bad time when I was getting baby ready for bed, this must mean she has moved and I dont have a new address for her. So unless shes getting her mail forwarded she wont receive it. I will phone her tomorrow and tell her I need her address for the warm front grant aplication, which i do anyway, and get a new letter sent just in case.

The envelope isnt signed by her, she just writes down how much shes picked up and the date. When I apply for housing benefit I fill in the form and show them proof of my details and then she sends them the details of the rent seperately so they have never asked to see a rent book from myself. she doesnt come to collect rent from me every week, I pay her once a month Im not sure if she receive the housing benefit rent every week or monthly.

I will give the council housing department a call in the morning. I havent been contacting them as much as the housing association as I didnt think I had much chance when they told me I was 51st on the list. Thanks for the help and links to the sites

lush_walrus

black-saturn wrote:

If its anything like here there are no decent vacant houses available and when one does become vacant theres a long list of people who want it. I'm afraid someone with children and on benefit against a professional without children has got no chance. There are also no vacant council houses here either and at least a 6 month waiting list for one of those, even if your in dire need of housing.

Ah I see, Im probably a bit nieve about these things.