Renting a Student House - Problem?

bitsandpieces

They should also buy a carbon monoxide alarm (one that goes off as an alarm if levels rise, not just one that changes colour). These are absolutely not an alternative to proper boiler checks and maintenance. Still something that worth spending a couple of quid each on, though, esp when LL/LA don't exactly seem to have high maintenance standards.

neverdespairgirl

dizziblonde wrote: »

I'm now utterly obsessive over gas safety certificates when I rent - I'll let a heck of a lot slide by and get done over time - but I won't ever ever ever risk it with gas.

My Dad was also obsessive about it when all his children were student renters - because he'd done a couple of prosecutions of LLs where dodgy boilers or gas fires had killed people.

amber24_2

Thanks to everyone for tips and advice. The Shelter link is really good and I can see will come in useful. I am also going to have another look at the sheet left by the boiler guy and take action quickly if it is deemed not safe. (I'm sure that's what it said).

The boiler is situated in another girl's bedroom too, so not good at all.

I will ring the Uni Accomm. office and let them know, the girls rented through the agency, but I believe it is one of their recommended agencies given out to students in their package.

The girl from the agency is never available when I call and never returns my calls it seems, so I am trying to get through to them that someone higher who CAN help needs to deal with this now. Will let you know how we get on.

Jowo_2

Have you reported this gas safety breach to the local council? The threat of prosecution of the landlord may make them act a lot more swiftly than a parent grumbling to an agent.

mellymeep

princeofpounds wrote: »

Get your daughter to educate herself through all this, should take max a day or two, and she will be equipped to rent for the next however many years. Unfortunately schools and unis aren't great at educating kids with real life skills like knowledge about accomodation, and most parents are either hopelessly ignorant or out of date.

Encourage your daughter to handle it herself. She is the tenant, this is part of the growing up process, but do act as a reference and a comfort if she needs it. No harm in getting her on here.

I would say this is the best advice, my parents used to deal with everything for me but I quickly realised that because they were in a different city to me I had to do the legwork by visiting the agent, CAB, student union etc..

It's actually quite empowering for me to know that I can handle all my renting problems myself, and believe me I've had some pretty !!!!!! situations to deal with over the past four years of being a student. These forums have proved invaluable in getting advice.

neas

when i rented a student house.. we had rooms with light shining through floor from room above, slugs coming into kitchen and a horrible bathroom.

We also didnt have locks on doors as we trusted one another. Basically its what student living is about... rubbish accomodation


Nothwithstanding that the stolen items will be difficult to pin on the contractors... and in no offence are you sure it wasnt one of your daughters friends or their friends?

having lived in these environments... parties are typical and the times i've been at parties and soemone has had their mobile phone/iphone etc stolen is crazy as the whole house is opened up to anyone and everyone..

I'd say write the loss off.. and work on the safety issues. If they want locks they can always get them installed by their uni mates (guys) and or a parent.

amber24_2

I'm well aware that student accommodation is fairly basic, but it is not acceptable, in my opinion, to be paying rent for accommodation that doesn't have hot water or an oven etc. The girls didn't ask for locks on their rooms, that is what was provided by the landlady via the agency - only the keys didn't work in the locks. Whether there were locks or not, it doesn't change the fact that someone has been in that house and stolen property which does not belong to them.

I will never accept that it is ok for someone to have access to the house when no one is in or been informed, and help themselves to others' belongings.

Would you find it acceptable to write off a £200 tv if it went missing from your home and not bat an eyelid?

Of course I can't say if it was one of my daughter's friends who took it or not, but they haven't been living there properly yet, there have been no parties yet and they have been sharing for two years previous to this, so I don't see why they would want to start thieving from each other now. Also they have to live with each other this year, so where would they have taken the tv to? The reason they are sharing is because they trust each other and work well together paying bills etc.

tbs624

amber24 wrote: »

I'm well aware that student accommodation is fairly basic, but it is not acceptable, in my opinion, to be paying rent for accommodation that doesn't have hot water or an oven etc.

It's not just your opinion Amber24 - it's the law - the LL has to maintain the equipment for space and water heating - s11 LL & T Act 1985

For added security, you may want to google Bournemouth and Uni lock, and you could suggest to the girls that they get the local police/CPO to come and give them some specific security advice

It *is* appalling that someone has been in and stolen possessions but I think I'd be prioritising HMO reg questions and the gas safety.

As I said before:

Go straight to the local Council's Tenancy Relations Officer (private sector housing) They are always busy so your daughter will have to persist.

It's a criminal offence if the boiler and any gas appliances are not checked annually and a gas safety certificate issued.

amber24_2

tbs624 wrote: »

It's not just your opinion Amber24 - it's the law - the LL has to maintain the equipment for space and water heating - s11 LL & T Act 1985

For added security, you may want to google Bournemouth and Uni lock, and you could suggest to the girls that they get the local police/CPO to come and give them some specific security advice

It *is* appalling that someone has been in and stolen possessions but I think I'd be prioritising HMO reg questions and the gas safety.

As I said before:

Go straight to the local Council's Tenancy Relations Officer (private sector housing) They are always busy so your daughter will have to persist.

It's a criminal offence if the boiler and any gas appliances are not checked annually and a gas safety certificate issued.

Thanks. Working on it!:)