Ending Tenancy agreement early

keegansmum

hi,
i moved into my flat at the begining of may, before i moved in there had been a leak in the roof which they fixed but they failed to fix the ceiling in the living room where the water above had collected. Since i moved in, i have rang the estate agents that manage my property at least 8times and each time i get told that the cntractor has been alerted and i should wait for him to contact me to arrange a viewing to see what work needs completing and to arrange for the work to be done. Well nearly 2 and a half months in and still no word from the contrator. As the damp has been there for sp long there is now black mould growing there which is not healthy for my 3year old son to be around.
I think i have been reasonable waiting for them to come and fix the damage, is there anyway i can end the 6month tenancy agreement (due to end november) early and move out?

BitterAndTwisted

Stop phoning and start writing! It's the landlord who should be addressing these issues and I suspect that the agents are having trouble getting the LL to agree to pay for this repair rather than them just ignoring you.

It's going to be very difficult indeed for you to extricate yourself from a legally-binding agreement which is what you have, so please do not believe that you can either move out an/or stop paying the rent. The best course of action would be to try and encourage the LL to get the repair sorted. If you don't get any response from your letters it might be better for you to contact Environmental Health and see whether they can compel the LL to address this issue on your behalf.

Wee_Willy_Harris

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Stop phoning and start writing! It's the landlord who should be addressing these issues and I suspect that the agents are having trouble getting the LL to agree to pay for this repair rather than them just ignoring you.

It's going to be very difficult indeed for you to extricate yourself from a legally-binding agreement which is what you have, so please do not believe that you can either move out an/or stop paying the rent. The best course of action would be to try and encourage the LL to get the repair sorted. If you don't get any response from your letters it might be better for you to contact Environmental Health and see whether they can compel the LL to address this issue on your behalf.

.Seconded.

tbs624

Google "Shelter" and "getting repairs done". Straightforward guidance and, as B&T says, *all* repairs issues need to be reported/followed up in writing, with you keeping copies for your own records.

You can ask the private sector rentals team at the local Council to inspect the property under HHSRS ( Housing Health & Safety Rating System): they have the power to force the LL to complete necessary repairs.

BitterAndTwisted

Oh, and another thing: IF the cause of the damp has been fixed then the most that will probably need to be done is for the mould on the ceiling to be removed with a solution of chlorine bleach and water and then repainted. There really shouldn't be any mould-growth at this time of year if the cause has been addressed correctly and the property is ventilated adequately. Unless you're drying laundry indoors with all the windows closed.

keegansmum

the ceiling needs to be partly re plastered as the damage had made the plaster start to fall away and the mould is growing all over it. iv taken pictures and have just written a letter which i will take into the agents tomorrow. Ihave had the windows open everyday i have been in the flat due to living above a tanning shop, (makes it too warm) and some windows like the bathroom window and my bedroom window are always open so the property is well ventiliated. Any washing is dried outside or using the tumble dryer with pipe out of the open door.

thank you all for your help

keegansmum

still no look with the agents.
they rang me after recieving my letter saying that i should continue to wait for the contractor to contact me as he has been alerted.
surely i have been waiting long enough for him to contact me its been over 2months now.
i have decided that i will be moving out when my agreement ends in november

tbs624

Letter suggestion for you:

Thank you for your phone call of (date) in response to my letter on repairs issues. The issue with the kitchen ceiling was brought to your attention x months ago, and I have phoned your office on a number of occasions.I have repeatedly been told that a contractor will be called in but the time that has elapsed with no action has been more than reasonable.

If the ceiling is not fixed within the next 7 working days I intend to arrange for it to be done and then reclaim the costs involved from my future rent payments. I shall obtain three quotes and pass copies on to you.

Would you also provide me with the name and address of the LL: this request is made under s1 of the LL and T act 1987

I look forward to hearing from you.


cc: My town Council Tenancy Relations Officer, Private Sector Rentals Team

Letter goes to LA, copy to TRO and to LL, once you have an address. Keep a copy for your own records

Exact procedure for getting the repairs done yourself is set out here, on page 16

N79

tbs624 wrote: »

Letter suggestion for you:

Thank you for your phone call of (date) in response to my letter on repairs issues. The issue with the kitchen ceiling was brought to your attention x months ago, and I have phoned your office on a number of occasions.I have repeatedly been told that a contractor will be called in but the time that has elapsed with no action has been more than reasonable.

If the ceiling is not fixed within the next 7 working days I intend to arrange for it to be done and then reclaim the costs involved from my future rent payments. I shall obtain three quotes and pass copies on to you.

Would you also provide me with the name and address of the LL: this request is made under s1 of the LL and T act 1987

I look forward to hearing from you.


cc: My town Council Tenancy Relations Officer, Private Sector Rentals Team

Letter goes to LA, copy to TRO and to LL, once you have an address. Keep a copy for your own records

Exact procedure for getting the repairs done yourself is set out here, on page 16

What does a qualifying T's right to first refusal have to do with the OPs problem with the kitchen ceiling and their LL's identity?:D

OP - due to a typo (I assume) you need to amend TBS's last paragraph to

Would you also provide me with the name and address of the LL: this request is made under s1 of the LL and T act 1985

tbs624

Thanks N79, always happy to have post errors corrected (I should perhaps refrain from posting at stupid o'clock)