Should I be Worried???

Jowo_2

Without a written tenancy agreement, you still have exactly the same rights under housing law, and the landlord still has all the obligations, too.

Shelter offer good advice on how to get a landlord to undertake repairs - read the info there and follow the process. They recommend that in addition to making calls, a tenant keeps good records, so should subequently report all issues in writing and keep a copy.

What is the specific problem with the shower - is it a mixer tap or electric? is the head blocked or is it a pump related issue?

MsDee

Colincbayley wrote: »

Well what you said in your first comment was a LL that didn't ask for a deposit 'screams dodgy'
It would appear you are not very well informed and should think before making such absurd comments.

I have my own commercial reasons why I do not charge a deposit, and I have yet to be left out of pocket, although thank you for your concern.

Well don't post asking what's 'wrong with that' and then refuse to explain your reasons for not taking it. I'm sure you have your reasons and although I accept my use of the word 'dodgy' was a tad strong, I do find it rather 'strange' that someone running a business would not request one and as I said I have never met a LL who didn't request one of me or others I know in 8 years of renting.

Colincbayley

MsDee wrote: »

as I said I have never met a LL who didn't request one of me or others I know in 8 years of renting.

As I said, you are obviously not very well informed.

Jowo_2

A months deposit acts as little deterrant for arrears and damage for certain groups of people. Some tenants can rack up the equivalent of many months worth of rent by not paying or by trashing the flat and it takes a landlord a lot of time and money to get them out. For some tenants, it isn't worth the landlord's while taking legal action against them to recover what is owed since the tenants either vanish or are on benefits so have no income to repay. Even if a landlord gets a court judgement in their favour, they are still fairly powerless to enforce it with certain types of tenant.

Far better for a landlord to thoroughly screen out risky tenants in the first place and mitigate the risk through the use of guarantors, for example. A month's deposit, particularly those guaranteed by the council for low income/benefit claimants so the tenant has even paid a penny towards their keep, is nothing in the scheme of things compared to the potential liability to the landlord of a thoroughly damaged property and where the tenant hasn't paid a penny in rent since moving in.