Issues at the start of a tenancy

gerardflanagan

I've just moved into a new flat and there are one or two issues I'd be grateful if you could help me with.

Firstly, the flat was listed as x (number removed for anonymity) bedrooms furnished. Now, I realised after paying the holding deposit that there had been x+1 beds (current tenants were using living room as x+1 bedroom) when we viewed the property. I emailed the LA to request that we wanted the extra bed removed, as per the x bed listing. I was fobbed off that it should/may be done when I move in, so I've had to wait 'til yesterday, when I moved in, to see that it hadn't been moved.

I presume that I should now contact the landlord about this (whose details I did not have previously). Am I legally entitled to require them to remove this? IMO they are using our flat as storage and it is inhibiting our ability to use it as a living room (which we'll now have to buy a sofa for, despite being listed as furnished).

Also, there are rat poison traps around the flat. We live above a restaurant and if these are merely preventative then I guess I don't mind. Either way, no mention of a previous rats problem was made to us by the LA. I've taken photos of these, should I just email them to myself for timestamping and future reference? I don't want to make an issue of it unnecessarily given the other issues I'm contacting them about.

Also, some of the items in the house are not fit for purpose e.g. drawers which do not open and close. If these can not be fixed we would like them to be removed as well, are we entitled to this? Incidentally, they asked me to sign the contract which said I agreed to having received an attached inventory. I hadn't received any and the LA wouldn't let me note it next to my signature so I had to wait 'til they got permission from the landlord to amend the clause to say 'inventory upon completion'.

I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with my landlord and I hate having to get formal and legal from the start but previous experience has taught me this is often necessary from the start.

Also, I presume email contact will be fine for all of this? It's quicker, easier and timestamped. Thanks for your help

poppysarah

Put things in writing to both LA and LL.
Be polite.

Have you signed your inventory? Does it list "drawers do not open" etc?
If not then edit the list and get it copied before sending it back.

gerardflanagan

I haven't signed the inventory yet and I will note any issues there. Regardless, can I then ask them to fix/remove these items. Specifically, can I require them to remove the bed it is one extra to what was listed and inhibits our living room?

BitterAndTwisted

Yes, you can ask them to remove the bed you don't need but if the landlord has nowhere to put it you could find yourself waiting rather a long time for it to be done. PLEASE do not dispose of it without your landlord's permission in writing or you could be charged for it when you vacate!

gerardflanagan

He's gonna get the bed thing sorted very soon apparently so I'm gonna lay off on the other requests for a bit. Thanks for your help!