Help Pls - Landlord Problem

icarus99

Hi

Live in student accommodation - it is houses converted into 6 flats.
When moved in, in September, the property was quite tatty, we were told we were the last year to live like this and that when we move out the property was to be completely refurbished.

Now the landlord has brought forward these refurbishments - we weren't consulted, just informed that they were happening.

works began on other flats first, and we had to put up with constant banging etc.
now they moved on to our flat, we were without access to the kitchen for 1 week between 9-4:30. one night we werent even left an oven or sink!
now they are doing the bathrooms, today with have been without either bathroom.

we requested compensation from the landlord but he says we are being totally unreasonable!

can we claim money back? any help much appreciated.

cheers

icarus99

anyone...?

poppysarah

Ring council's private sector rented team. Or shelter.

katykatkins

is your landlord/agent university accredited? With my uni, if it is, you are entitled to some rent back, starting from 1 day without cooking or washing.

icarus99

no its totally private

tbs624

icarus99 wrote: »

Hi

Live in student accommodation - it is houses converted into 6 flats.
When moved in, in September, the property was quite tatty, we were told we were the last year to live like this and that when we move out the property was to be completely refurbished.

Now the landlord has brought forward these refurbishments - we weren't consulted, just informed that they were happening.

How much notice were you given that the work was due to be done, and was the notice given in writing?

On the week that you were without the use of the kitchen during the day, did they warn you about it & did you, say, have access to a microwave, water & kettle etc? Did they warn you that you'd be without the use of both bathrooms for one day, & the kitchen for one night?

You perhaps need to balance this one as you will have the benefit of better bathrooms/kitchen etc for your remaining 4 or 5 months and it's probably better for you all that the work was undertaken now rather than when you were in full exam mode next term.

It may be that the LL has specific repairing/refurb deadlines that have been set by the Council if this is an HMO, but, that said, the LL has to take into a/c the inconvenience caused to you. I think most decent LLs would at the very least have set up a temporary mini-kitchen facility for you and stood you all a takeway the night the kitchen was unusable.If their use of your electricity is excessive you can ask for a contribution from the LL towards the extra costs btw.

Use your Uni accoms office/welfare officer for some advice on all of this and , as Poppysarah says, ring the local council. They should have a dedicated team who deal solely with private rentals issues and they can liaise with the LL if necessary as for the TRO (tenancy relations officer).

Take photos of the property's interior once the contractors have finished work, and keep them safely with your tenancy agreement, just in case there is any damage to wallpaper/carpets etc that the LL tries to charge you for when your contract expires.