Landlady wants to increase rent by £70 a month

Mrs_pbradley936

libitina wrote:

Why is the insurance higher? Are people claiming hb more likely to trash the property?

I don't know but I just went to check to make sure I was right and put in all the same details apart from Benefit and the result was Working tenant £385.88 and Benefit tenant £427.88. Perhaps we can ask on the insurance thread and get someone in the know to say.

Mrs_pbradley936

Just started a new thread on insurance. Keep an eye on it and someone is sure to tell us.

Barcode

libitina wrote:

Is your LL not breaking the law by not having all the gas appliances (including the broken fire) serviced every year? I thought they had to have all the corgi certificates renewed evry 12 months?

When it was tested (2 years ago) the person who tested it said it was emitting carbon monoxide, so we could not have it switched on. This was when we were told to use the central heating. I didn't know it was illegal, if so I am appalled and will be doing something about this.

I don't know about taking over the whole tenancy, presumably this would raise eyebrows with the council as the property would be then too big for my needs? (it's a two bedroom house).

Also checked the house next door again, it's two double bedrooms, whereas ours is a single and a double. The LL is trying it on and having a bloody laugh.

Oh we pay rent to the EA.

lynzpower

Get the hell out of there. If theres a gas fire emitting carbon monoxide you could die, ours was doing the same even though the fire was thought ( ie stated by the LL) to be disconnected.

Your LL doesnt give a toss about you, Id approach her with the same contempt.

Barcode

Hummmm. Housemate complains about massive migraines from time to time. I am beginning to wonder now. All I know is that we have been told it is not working, it has been switched off and to use the central heating. A few months ago, some workmen came around, but turns out the fire is so old that they do not have a manual for it (!), we were then told it was being dealt with, but nothing has happened despite follow-up calls.

Should this be mentioned in the letter am I going to write to the EA? Just wondering how to phrase it. I am past the point of caring about being confrontational.

Tassotti

Get Environmental Health Officer in Immediately!!!!

Carbon Monoxide is a killer.

Move out and charge the LL all re-accommodation costs.

When I was a student, the house we lived in had a CO leak from the boiler. All tenants complained of headaches, feeling drowsy.

LL was prosecuted.

Your weekend is getting better and better :mad:

Barcode

I've been trying to call my housemate. Fortunately (or not), I'm abroad at the moment and won't be returning until Oct. I'm going to have to try and explain to my housemate that this is serious. I did try to mention it to the EA once on one of their inspections, but I was not sure where I stood and believed them when I was told to use the central heating.

If we pursue this, what do we need to take to the council (I assume it is the council?). I am guessing records of gas safety checks, which I understand the landlady is under a legal obligation to provide us with?

I'm really shocked at the moment, not sure what to do (please bear with me until I properly understand the legalities). I assume I'm going to have to write a letter documenting this saga to the EA.

Tassotti

Have you actually got Gas Safety Certificates?

Get in the EH Officer first of all to completely check out the appliance.

if there is an emmission, go after everyone...the corgi gas engineer, the LL and the agent.

The EH officer will be able to advise tyou of how to proceed, or direct you to someone who can help.

amboy

Barcode wrote:

When it was tested (2 years ago) the person who tested it said it was emitting carbon monoxide, so we could not have it switched on. This was when we were told to use the central heating. I didn't know it was illegal, if so I am appalled and will be doing something about this.QUOTE]

I took this to mean that the tester condemned the fire and would be obliged to turn the supply off thus making it safe.

It is more than his job is worth not have done this, did he cap off the gas supply to the fire? You should have details from the certificate he left.

As for a 2 bedroom house being too big for you. I recently had a prospective tenant who would have had to claim HB, she knew more of the benefit procedures than me, she got me to fill in a form and the rent officer put a value on the house thatthey would pay, simple as that.

I wouldnt agree there is a glut of properties in York, however i would say rental prices are no way in line with wages.

Barcode

The fire has been disconnected for two years. We were told quite explicitly not to turn it on. I'm sure we have a record of this somewhere, as does the LL. But from what others have said, this could be a risk? I've found contact details for the environmental health officer in York and wonder if we need to inform the LL about what we are doing?