stendent paying rent while room has hole in floor?

mariamanc

any advice please. my son is going to rent with 6 other students.so far the landlord has changed the amount of rent he wants and when my son moved some of this stuff in yesterday he discovered a hole in his bedroom floor because the landlord is removing all the chimney breasts in a 3 storey house. He did inform them there would be work done to the property but compelted at the end of August.My son has already paid a £200 deposit and full rent was due from 1st july. He is at home for the summer but should he really be paying full rent for a room that is not ready to move into because the landlard has decided to work on his propery over the summer.There is no bed in the room to allow the work to proceed the landlod doesnt feel that it would be a problem for my son if he wanted to move in now--complete with hole in floor. please advise. Son says he has been given something by way of tenacy agreement by email--not seen it yet.Thankyou desparate for some advice.

GDB2222

it's pretty common for student accommodation to be on a 12 month let, and obviously your son does not need the place right now. I don't know for sure what his rights are, but I guess he is entitled to rescission of the contract and his money back. The trouble is, though, where will he live during term time?

Jowo_2

Get your son to contact Shelter or his student advice service. The info you provide is a bit vague - if he's signed a contract with £x rent due from x date, then x rent is due from that date regardless or not of occupation. Has your son actually signed this contract?

Is the property in England/wales or Scotland? If in England/Wales, was your son's deposit placed in a tenancy deposit scheme? Did he sign an inventory which would have listed the contents of the room?

Does the property need and require a HMO licence? This is mandatory for properties for 5+ unrelated tenants of 3+ habitable storeys and sets higher health and safety compliance. See what the local council website has to say on this as there are different rules in Scotland and some councils have bought in discretionary rules.

For properties that are dangerous to health and safety, a tenant can contact the local council environmental health department who can inspect it and compel the landlord to make repairs.