Student house - rent problem

smurph306

I've signed my contract to live in a student house with two of my mates. One of them ownes the house.

Basically in the contract it says he will complete the interior decoration and also that he will provide sky and broadband connection.

Its an 11 month contract starting last month. But i wasnt living there for that month. I did visit tho' but the house was not ready at all. There were no beds, or funiture, and no paint on the walls, and rubbish everywhere, plus a builder living in there while he was doing the work.

Oh plus he didnt get me a key cut so technically i couldn't have even entered the house.

Anyway he wants the full months rent for that month. I was just wondering where i stand. I mean is the rent for that month open for discussion with the landlord? I had paid a deposit. But i dont think he deserves a full months rent when the house was not habitable.

Anyway we're going onto october now and there is still work to be done, so surely because he is breaching his own contract i can withhold some of the rent???

I mean, what would happen in court?

lazy_girl

Contact your council's private rentals officer/department - they should be able to tell you where you stand. Alternatively have a look at the landlordzone website, they might have info there.

I think you are correct when you say you should not be paying rent for a house that is not habitable - but check first. I would have thought someone who is a mate would be reasonable about this! i'm not sure what the legal position would be for witholding rent, you could also be in trouble for breaching the contract if you did so.

Mrs_pbradley936

While I have every sympathy and can clearly see your point you have to live with the chap for the next however long. If you start off on the wrong foot he might get petty and unpleasant towards anything you do in future. When my son was in a student house the owning fellow student complained that he used more hot water than anyone else because he likes frequent baths and showers. He charged extra for toilet rolls and fairy liquid but bought the cheapest brands. While these things have to be taken into account and everyone has to accept certain house rules, living with a petty tyrant is not to be recommended. He moved out of there after not very long. Other student houses seem to have either a kitty for things that every uses or to have their own supplies and keep them in their own room.