Rented flat: repairs trouble

Paragon

I rented a nice flat over 4 weeks ago but soon found a number of things that needed fixing and sorting. The most significant thing is that the oven does not work well enough to actually cook with. I promptly told the agency about it but have been tearing my hair out due to their inability to reply to my emails, phone calls, and even going in to their office to speak in person. After 4 weeks we've finally reached the stage where they have acknowledged the oven is broken and needs replacing, but that's as far as its gone in over 4 weeks...

While I have accepted that it is going to to take some considerable period of time to sort this out, I don't feel that I should have to pay the full price for what is effectively a product that doesn't work exactly as it should.

Does anyone else have experience of arranging a rental discount or a refund by way of compensation for situations like this?

sooz

Stop calling - only WRITE to the agency. If you have the LL's address, send him/her a copy too. Send both recorded delivery.

State when you first reported the oven broken, list dates you have been in touch since, & date the oven was deemed irrepairable. Give them x days to provide you with a new one, or you will organise a replacement yourself & deduct the cost from your rent.

As for a refund :rolleyes:
Presumably, aside from the other minor issues you have not listed, 99% of the flat is 'working exactly as it should', & this is what your rent is covering. Is it just the oven not working? Do you still have a hob? And a microwave? If you have NO means of heating food whatsoever, then you could try to involve enviromental health too. You could ask the LA to cover the cost of takeaways until the oven is replaced, or to provide a temporary mini oven. The agency just sound like they need a kick up the ****

Paragon

Thanks for the quick response. I will write next. I have been emailing then calling up after a few days to see if they actually got the email, which they had, but hadn't bothered to reply.

Well, I do have a microwave and hob so I can cook, but personally I tend to use the oven a lot when I can. Above all though its just terribly frustrating paying good money to people who don't seem to give a damn. Apart from the oven, I have yet to receive my tenancy agreement which presumably states how they will deal with repair, and I don't have a full set of keys.

I don't know who the owner is but would like to include them in correspondence. Is an agency obliged to give me the owners name?

poppysarah

Contact private rented sector support person at the local council for advice and help.