Storm Damage/Wear and Tear/I don't know

GreenFingers1

Hi, Sorry to repost this on this board but it has been suggested to me that this is the correct place. I have adjusted a few of words to make things a little clearer:

Good evening,

I currently rent with two friends in a 3 bedroom mid-terrace.

Last night our house was hit by strong wind and heavy rain. Shortly before 06.00 the ceiling in one of the bedrooms started to leak water. We did the best we could to capture the water and reported it to our letting agents when they opened at 09.00 (as per normal procedure)

We received a visit from our landlord just after lunchtime today to inspect the damage. It was suggested by our landlord that some work we had done to install a popular television provider's equipment (external wiring, etc) has somehow weakened and contributed to the damage last night. This work was approved by the landlord when it was done.

The landlord has stated that they will NOT pay for the damage caused in the storm last night.

The major problem is that the work done to install the TV stuff was carried out 3 years ago so we're a little worried an approach to that particular company will fall on deaf ears. Which leaves us. We may end up having to foot the bill.

Does anyone have any advice with this one? I don't think the three of us will be able to pay for the damages and we want to tread carefully with the landlord because we don't want to be homeless (We're on a rolling contract right now)

If anyone has any advice or needs any further information from me then please reply - I have done my best to mask identities where concerned.

Kind regards,
GreenFingers



Original thread can be found on the consumer right board.

anselld

If the roof leaks it is LL responsibility to repair unless LL can prove you caused damage.

It would seem to me that this cannot be the first heavy rain/ storm we have had in three years, so if the equipment fit was at fault it would have been apparent long before now. What evidence does the LL have for making this claim?

Make sure your deposit is protected, and confirm in writing that you have reported the fault (in case LL claims failure to report leading to further damage).

paddedjohn

Find a new LL this one sounds like a right idiot, who wouldnt want to look after their own property?
Sounds like a cowboy LL with no insurance.

GreenFingers1

anselld wrote: »

If the roof leaks it is LL responsibility to repair unless LL can prove you caused damage.

Thanks - As I thought. If it turns out that there is a bit of damage from the people who installed the TV equipment, where do we stand then?

theartfullodger

? We are talking Engerland&Wales here??

Landlord & Tenant ACt 1985 Section 11 onwards makes it very clear that roofs etc. are LL responsibility: End of..
see..
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/70/crossheading/repairing-obligations

11 Repairing obligations in short leases. E+W

(1)In a lease to which this section applies (as to which, see sections 13 and 14) there is implied a covenant by the lessor—

(a)to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling-house (including drains, gutters and external pipes),

It matters not if LL has insurance or not: It is his f***ing responsibility. If he has no LL insurance is a worry & means you wanna get out quick (consider - fire, you are 'orribly burned...)

However if Mssrs "What's that up there above our heads"... had damaged roof then perhaps your Landlord has a claim against them: That is, however, his problem not yours: You could help him with dates & what they did.. not sure if that might lay you open to problems..

paddedjohn

greenfingers1 wrote: »

thanks - as i thought. If it turns out that there is a bit of damage from the people who installed the tv equipment, where do we stand then?

it been 3yrs now so if is was going to fail it would have by now,

sonastin

He would have to have one heck of a good lawyer to pin the blame on a 3 year old installation rather than the incredibly strong winds and rain immediately preceding the problem. He can try to claim that they "weakened" the roof but given that the company responsible for carrying out the installation have carried out many many similar installations and we haven't heard of roofs failing in all over the country because of such installations, I would guess that there was something particular about this roof that made it leak last night and not the installation of TV equipment 3 years ago.

LLs problem I'm afraid.

Not sure how you go about forcing the issue without getting yourself a S.21 notice though.

poppysarah

3 years and these aren't the worst storms we've had.

It's very unlikely to be the fault of a 3 yr old installation.

dizziblonde

If the work by that well known TV provider and blue thing with fluffy white clouds had damaged the roof - surely the mega-winter last year would have been the point the strain started to show anyway?

mlz1413

WRITE to LL backing up the events so far and request he fixes the problem and provide him contact details of the well known company so he can contact them if he considers this a factor in the damage.

LL is responsible of the roof.
You have done exactly the right thing to limit the damage (ie bucket to catch water) and should not be responsible for any other costs.

Keep all your communications to written form from now on so that you can track what is said and when, even if this is backing up verbal conversions after the event.

CloudCuckooLand

Stop paying your rent and scarper. LLs like this deserve the void over winter...

Turn off all heating before you go, hopefully the pipes will burst before he notices.