renting and repairs etc

debby

My daughter and her boyfriend are renting a large house, its an old victorian type terraced house... she occupies the downstairs and upstairs is separate flat also occupied. I didnt see any fire doors in her flat, her back door is her back means of escape, none of her back windows open, upstairs has an outside fire escape. Her front window does not open, she can only escape via front door, which is shared with upstairs flat. She has a list of repairs that need doing including a washer that wont spin water out, a cooker that is connected to gas but not to electric so has has to ignite with a lighter and also no smoke detectors, and a shower that sprays water everywhere, this then runs through on to the kitchen floor..just to mention a few.
She has only been in a week and is now thinking of cutting her losses and moving.
They have asked the landlord to do these repairs, but they hear nothing from him, does he have a legal requirement to do these repairs and does he have to install smoke detectors!?? :beer:
thanks

BitterAndTwisted

debby wrote: »

My daughter and her boyfriend are renting a large house, its an old victorian type terraced house... she occupies the downstairs and upstairs is separate flat also occupied. I didnt see any fire doors in her flat, her back door is her back means of escape, none of her back windows open, upstairs has an outside fire escape. Her front window does not open, she can only escape via front door, which is shared with upstairs flat.

I'm not certain that fire-doors are a legal requirement. Are you?
She has a list of repairs that need doing including a washer that wont spin water out, a cooker that is connected to gas but not to electric so has has to ignite with a lighter

Having to light the burners on a stove with a match or whatever is inconvenient but I don't think it's legal not a legal necessity to hav those spary-thing which I cn't remember the name of.
and also no smoke detectors,

I'm not certain that it's a legal requirement to supply these either
and a shower that sprays water everywhere, this then runs through on to the kitchen floor..just to mention a few.

ALL issues relating to necessary repairs must be put in writing. This correspondence might be needed if there's consequential damage and the landlord attempts to reclaim the cost against the tenant at a later date. There are procedures for trying to compel the landlord to carry out necessary repairs or arranging the repairs oneself and deducting them from the rent but all rely on making the request for repairs in writing first. Your daughter MUST do this in the first instance.
She has only been in a week and is now thinking of cutting her losses and moving.

In that case your daughter must be made aware of what her responsibilities are. If she's signed a tenancy agreement the landlord could hold her to paying the rent in full for the entire length of the agreement whether she remains there or not. A signed tenancy agreement can only be broken by mutual consent.

They have asked the landlord to do these repairs, but they hear nothing from him, does he have a legal requirement to do these repairs and does he have to install smoke detectors!?? :beer:
thanks

Your daughter should ask again but in writing, preferably by sending the letter by Recorded Delivery. Once the landlord sees that your daughter is serious he might start to pay attention. I hope