ADVICE REQUIRED: Thinking of suing my landlord!

ChopChop_2

I have been in my house now for 2 months. In that time I have been with out a working heating system for 2 weeks. This system is also responsable for the hot water. Also, I discovered a leak in the bathroom. On discovering this i noticed the owners had hid a cup to catch the water. It was only when this overflowed that it became apparent.
It took the owners over a month to fix the heating system. We had numerous poeple come round until they eventually sorted it.
Weve also had numerous other problems with the property.
I contacted the letting agency, who in fairness are actually quite good and efficient, and asked them to contact the owners about the possability of a rent decrease / re-embursement of some sorts. They said NO! They stated that they were unaware of these problems when we moved in, although they admitted to putting the cup under the leak..........?!? Also, I believe the heating system was faulty way before we moved!
My letting agency is very understanding and are currently looking for somewhere else for me!
Is there anyway of claiming through the small claims or anything similar??
Thanks all

poppysarah

Wouldn't bother - I'd just find a better quality landlord.
Have you got a gas safety cert?

theartfullodger

Yup, I think if you go small-claims you'll prompt eviction process starting from LL.

Did you give a deposit, was it handled correctly (see...
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm

)

If he's that bad at handling simple stuff that would surely be in his interests to fix (leaks are a classic no LandLord with half-a-brain would want to go beyond tomorrow morning..) then I'd start looking elsewhere...

(And I'm a LL, for my sins!)

Cheers!

Artful

ChopChop_2

Thanks for the replys! Much appreciated!

froodle

I had similar proble with my landlord. I have contacted Enviromental office, they came next day, landlord sorted out heating within 2 days!

But in a mean time, I was told by the enviromental that I don't need to pay my rent until the problem is solved. I didn't pay rent for 1 week, and landlord couldn't do anything about it. :j