11 ways to get the power back to tenants

tbs624

pyueck wrote: »

Here are 11 helpful tips for tenants who are having problems with their landlord and agent. They are practical things that are proven to get results, and keep the landlord and agent out of your pocket.

pyueck - these threads that you like to start simply perpetuate the idea that there *has* to be a problem relationship between LL & T.

There a sticky up at the top of the board that gives good suggestions for those new to renting.

pyueck wrote: »

1) Before you agree to anything, sign anything, pay anything agree you are liable for anything get advice. It amazes me how many landlords and agents use tenants lack of knowledge on the law to get away with blue murder. In my opinion Shelter offers the best advice on tenant law and is totally free. Remember though just because you sign something, it doesn't make it legally binding if the term is unfair.

Unfortunately, as per some of the posts on here, it seems that some Ts seem to think that * none* of the clauses are legally binding, especially those regarding paying the rent on time. However, most tenancy agreements do actually contain a phrase warning you that you are about to sign a legally binding document and that you should get independent legal advice if you are unsure. Whilst it's true that Shelter makes no charge for its advice it does have limited financial resources so if you're on a reasonable salary you could think about paying for a fixed fee session with a LL& T solicitor or give Shelter a decent donation.

pyueck wrote: »

..Don't sign the inventory! Why sign something that is never in your interests to sign. The agent will probably say it will self sign if you don't sign it within a certain time. It wont. Without a signed inventory it is practically impossible for a landlord to ever deduct your deposit for damage, or so called damage.

We have some more of your muddled thinking here pyeuck - thought these were" helpful tips for tenants who are having problems with their landlord and agent"? So, before you have even signed up you are looking for a battle and assuming the LL is going to be difficult? There are other proofs of condition, aside from an inventory, which may be used in some circumstances

pyueck wrote: »

5) Call in the Enviromental Health Officer. If there is damp, rats, cockroaches, if your landlord isn't taking you seriously call round the Environmental Health Officer and let them do their magic.

Do be careful though that your own living style hasn't engendered the problem or seriously contributed to it. Tenants who don't open windows, who cook without lids on their pans, who steam their washing off on the radiators, whose cleaning standards are so poor that food detritus is scattered freely around the property....

pyueck wrote: »

.. If the agent wants you to do something, charge them the same admin fee as they will charge you for doing something. If a contract states that you have to pay for the agent to do something, but they wont pay you for doing likewise it is unfair under Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract Regulations. This is because a contractual term is unfair if "Contrary to the requirement of good faith it causes a significant imbalance in the parties' rights and obligations under the contract, to the detriment of consumers. " This legislation applies to tenancy agreements. You can also use this to charge the landlord if they want to change the terms of the contract, or wants to end the tenancy agreement early (and you are happy to leave).

The LL cannot change the terms of the T agreement nor end your Tenancy early within the FT, without your agreement

pyueck wrote: »

Unless the landlord can PROVE you acted in a non tenant like way, don't pay. If he wont do the work, send the landlord a recorded letter to say it needs doing, if he doesn't act get two quotes and send the landlord copies, if he still doesn't do it do it yourself and deduct the money from your rent, plus any admin charge the agent would charge.

There is a specific procedure to be followed for this one and you haven't go it right, despite all your reading and your "advice" to others . Anyone who needs to take action on this can get help from Shelter's guide to getting repairs done or from the Tenancy Relations Officer (PRST) at the local council..

And then we have the standard pyeuck tripping over his own left foot......

pyueck wrote: »

.......Take no notice of what they say and either go to court or arbitration.

followed by

pyueck wrote: »

10) DON'T GO TO ARBITRATION!!!!!

Confused T, as advised by pyeuck , "he said "go to arbitration , don't go to arbitration" oh , what *can* it mean?"

pyueck wrote: »

11) Look out for a S21 at the start of the tenancy. This will effectively mean once 6 months is up you could be out on the streets. If you see one rip it up....

Dear, oh dear - do some more reading. Try that one with your gas bills too - in fact, rip up everything that comes through your letterbox and run away with the fairies to the magic wood.

When_is_the_reset?

Get power back to the tenants?

How about an extension lead?