HELP needed (literally immediately!)

ThinkingOfLinking

I am seeing a new property today and I will take it if I like it.

However, I am in a nightmare property and the agency it's under will NOT put me in touch with the landlord and will NOT release me from the contract and although everyone else is in breach of their contract, the agency says they're not.

Eg, illegal drug use (cocaine and marijuana), noise 24/7 and painting on the walls as well as damaging items.

I want to leave as I have been very ill as a result of everything, and I was wondering, if I change my name and I am already not on the electoral register, can they really chase me if I leave no forwarding details?

And what could they do to my guarantor? I cannot pay for 2 properties but this current one is literally killing me; I have a severe chest infection as they've sabotaged the central heating so it does not reach my room.

They have also taken the plug out the bath so I cannot use it and due to epilpesy I cannot risk using the shower so I can only have a wash in the sink til I go to beg a shower from a friend....

They steal my food and have ruined all my kitchen equipment and the communial areas are so gross I cannot be in them; sticky messes, drug detritus, etc. The agency will not cooperate at all and are threatening me and I am scared.

I am seing CAB next week as I cannot get an appoitnment til then but I ned to take this place today if I see it as it's a great deal.

poppysarah

You could of course ring the police and speak to them about the illegal activities.
Ring shelter - you should be able to get through to them today on the phone.

Your guarantor is likely to be made to pay for the rent you don't pay - so you need to find a legitimate way of getting out of this awful situation.

maninthestreet

Who are the 'They' you keep referring to?

sooz

Flickering_Ember wrote: »

I am seeing a new property today and I will take it if I like it.

However, I am in a nightmare property and the agency it's under will NOT put me in touch with the landlord and will NOT release me from the contract and although everyone else is in breach of their contract, the agency says they're not.

Eg, illegal drug use (cocaine and marijuana), noise 24/7 and painting on the walls as well as damaging items.

I want to leave as I have been very ill as a result of everything, and I was wondering, if I change my name and I am already not on the electoral register, can they really chase me if I leave no forwarding details?

And what could they do to my guarantor? I cannot pay for 2 properties but this current one is literally killing me; I have a severe chest infection as they've sabotaged the central heating so it does not reach my room.

They have also taken the plug out the bath so I cannot use it and due to epilpesy I cannot risk using the shower so I can only have a wash in the sink til I go to beg a shower from a friend....

They steal my food and have ruined all my kitchen equipment and the communial areas are so gross I cannot be in them; sticky messes, drug detritus, etc. The agency will not cooperate at all and are threatening me and I am scared.

I am seing CAB next week as I cannot get an appoitnment til then but I ned to take this place today if I see it as it's a great deal.

The first idea...changing your name...is a terrible one! Is it really worth changing your name & trying to change your identity to get out of this flat? Particularly as you have a guarantor. If you just leave, either you, or the guarantor, or both, will be chased for the full remaining rent, & probably the damages that your flatmates have caused. If you don't pay you'll end up with a CCJ.

When did you sign the contract? How long is the fixed term for? Are there any break clauses?

Have you put any of your concerns to the agency in WRITING? You should also request your LL's address in WRITING (somewhere on here there is an 'official' format of how to ask for this).

As well as your appointment with the CAB next week, you should call your local council today. Ask to speak to the Private Housing Officer (sometimes called the tenancy relations officer). Enviromental health may also be able to help you re. the heating problem.

As you are sharing, have you checked whether the property needs an HMO licence? Again, the council can help you with this.

Finally, it would greatly help if you could see your doctor, to have a professional opinion on how the property is affecting your health.

If you do take on the flat you are looking at today, you cannot just stop paying rent at the old place. You must go through the proper procedure.

PasturesNew

You need to get in contact with the council's environmental health people, the police, shelter, CAB. And put pressure on the agent/landlord too.

Environmental Health: can force the landlord to sort out various aspects of the house
Police: reporting illegal drug use (might leave this until you've left though)
Shelter: your rights/advice
CAB: your rights/advice

Have you put everything in writing to the agents? I'd make a nuisance of myself with them. Write a letter per day with a valid complaint, do a sit in at their offices.

Your guarantor could be chased for the rent you don't pay for the full term of your agreement.

Is there anybody in the house who would have a friend who wants to move in? If there is, you can cut a deal with the landlord where you leave (with their permission) and are replaced by some scumbag who wants to live there. Once you've found a tenant to take your place (with landlord's permission) you can move out without being liable to pay the rent.

debtfreein4years

dont have anything to offer in the way of advice, just going to keep my fingers crossed that you manage to get something sorted out.

good luck

needaspirin

I would strongly advise you not to take on a second tenancy. Your guarantor will be pursued for the cost of the remainder of your existing tenancy and will almost certainly be taken to court if it is not paid.
There is no quick solution to your problem and you should stick it out until you visit CAB.

pinkshoes

Surely you can get the Landlord's contact details from the land registry for £3? I would then write to him informing him that his property is being used for drug taking, and that if he doesn't take any action to prevent this, you shall be informing the police and highlighting to them that by his lack of intervention, he is condoning the use of his property for drug taking. Give him 7 days to reply.

Changing your name won't make a blind bit of difference, as they'll still come after you, and if not you, then your guarantor.

In the mean time contact CAB and shelter for advice.

hethmar

No advice to add, but my heart goes out to you. Can you not stay with friends/family until you have sorted this out with the CAB?

neas

no offence but we only hearing one side of the property.

If these people are really as bad as you portray them why did you move in with them at all in the first place? oO... its a shared accomodation right? 4-6 people living in a big house together.

Light sabotaging the radiators, unless they rerouted or installed a valve on the system i say this is lunacy.... how would they limit your room? Unless the control unit has a value to limit everyones radiator... usually valves are located on the radiator itself... and the only way to stop it is to turn YOUR valve.

Is this a DSS house?

Just wondering how you'd move in with people so bad.

I've lived in 8 shared houses in my time some good some bad.... always its a 'it takes two to tango' thing.

One of the houses i lived in, I clashed with the girl living there, she was a control freak, neat freak who wanted to clean wash everything and wanted everyone to abide by her standards.... suffice to say i found someone else and moved out. Sometimes people dont get along.

Other times I've had a good time, because i've been respectful and 'accomodating'... some peoples habits disturb me/annoy me but i realise im paying less rent and ... amd intelligent enough to realise the only thing that complaining will get me is problems.

What it sounds like is your the housemate they didnt get along with. Your higher standards and maybe some note leaving or telling them off... has alienated you from them... they are now trying to make your life hell.

Live in shared accomodation... be prepared to be friendly, accomodating and sociable otherwise you will not be 'in the group'.

While this is an extreme situation to be in (as you've described it) I just get the sense from your post the 'type' of housemate you are.

Was the first couple weeks ok? Or was it always like this?

neas

As an extra tidbit (edit isnt working for me).

In my bad experience of a house, I removed clothes from a washing machine that had been there for 3 hours... so i could wash my dirty clothes. I put them on the settee. I thought nothing wrong of this.

The other housemate thought this was somehow vindicitive and to give me back shoved the washing machine to 95 degrees. I knew what 'type' of housemate she was and so checked 10 mins after I heard her come up stairs... and yea she had rammed it on max heat.. to try and shrink my clothes.

Living in a house can be crazy sometimes.

Some bad types of housemates to look out for:

Possessive, control freak - Things have to be his/her way... cutlery stored in their places, bins emptied regularly and things left clean and perfect. More often than not they complain of things not done but don't 'see' the things you do do. Usually they dont do much work but pretend they do.

Unsociable - Stays in room all time, doesnt talk, not very friendly. Easy to alienate this type of person

Party Animal/Druggie - Causes lots of noise every day of the week... most students are this type so don't share with them if you work.

Pyscho (Friend of mine had one of these) - Abilities vary alot, example of behaviour would be usual insane behaviour... entering your room without consent and moving all clothes to another person room... and thinks it ok. Can also be paranoid .

I'd say you was a 20% Psycho and 80% Possessive/Control freak. Ofc this is tongue in cheek :P.