Help - renting problems, can I lower rent?

tbs624

freddie wrote: »

I have live in current house for 2 1/2 years and the whole time we have had major problems with damp. Having to clean walls every few weeks etc. I ahve contacted the EA numerous times and nothing has ever been done despite many promises.
We had no curtains in the property and I ahve just got round to putting some up. The LL had promised money to allow so to do this and it never appeared.
The EA came last week to look at damp problem again and I gave him photos. I was promised them back within 2 days, that was 10 days ago and I have heard nothing. I am sick of having to chase him up nearly every day so have not bothered this time to see how long it takes him.

Basically I want to know what can I do? Nothing is getting fixed, the damp is not getting sorted and I have a DD and another ont he way so its important I finally get something done. EA just ignores us. House behind us is for rent at 100 pound less and its exactly the same size etc.
I have asked before for rent to be lowered and got no where. Can I just go ahead and pay less or what can I do. Really at the end of my teather.

We have no contract now as we just pay month by month.

This one is a no-brainer -if you've had problems for 2 and a half years and your LL/LA is slow to act on everything then just move: the ability to do so at short notice is one of the joys of being on a periodic agreement. Similar property nearby at 100 quid a month less? What are you waiting for? You could start 2010 with a nice dry home and more money in your pocket.

Pee

I know nothing at all about the law in Northern ireland. I do know Environmental Health can cause problems for other people, but the obvious option seems to be to move.

olly300

If you are on a periodic agreement if you complain to the council then don't be surprised if the landlord gives you notice to leave the property. (Both Shelter and the CAB see this often.) Therefore as others have said, regardless of your situation, move house of your own accord.

EagerLearner

Good luck with it Freddie - I know what you mean re hassle etc of moving - so maybe the LL will be more amenable when the council get in touch. I have always been a renter and taken care of the properties we were in, and many times the LL would say damp was due to they way we lived etc, rather than simply install extractor fans to protect their property against tenant laziness. In all we haven't had it bad, but there was one place we had to buy Woolworths cheap dehumidifiers - these are like plastic grid boxes that you put some crystals into the top part, it absorbs humidity in the air via the salts and the water collects at the bottom of the box. Then you empty it and refill the salt as required (because it shrinks and melts as it absorbs moisture). I seem to remember it being around £3 quid for a couple of months usage, might help you in the interim, though sadly we no longer have Woolies on the high street! I am sure B&Q would have something similar, though this won't of course fix any serious damp issues. Good luck.