Students withholding rent - default notice worries

maria90uk_2

Thanks for all your help/opinions.

We admit we did the wrong thing, the fact that washing could not be dried isn't being used as a defence.

At the end of the day we are in the wrong and our letting agent wasn't (which we have been told several times) and we know not to withhold rent again.

It's a shame that housing contracts are always in complete favour of the landlord/agents and they can't easily be held to account for things that go wrong. I feel that there is a lazy attitude from them in terms of maintenance and repairs, especially towards students.

@Jowo: thanks for referring us to the Shelter website, very helpful
@G_M: no, it was not complained of in writing. We rang and emailed for quickness as letters take time to deliver of course but this is something we will keep in mind in future.
@prosaver: not a bad idea, especially as I can't afford the £75 anyway!

Thanks all

p.s. To those who say pay up and stop worrying, I am against paying as I don't believe they will take any further action, whereas my two fellow housemates want to pay. I need to prove to them there is no point worrying about the threat of court action/CCJs/bad credit ratings when we have had NO contact in four weeks from the letting agency asking for the money.

I am only willing to pay when we receive a formal written letter through the post asking for the money.

We have to pay our next lot of rent in January (£1196) so there is every chance they will just ask us then.

clutton_2

""At the end of the day we are in the wrong and our letting agent wasn't""


""To those who say pay up and stop worrying, I am against paying as I don't believe they will take any further action"

so you admit you were in the wrong but still wont pay up ??

What kind of adult response is that .... if you say you are in the wrong .. then pay and move on.. then you wont have to come to forums about it any more and can get on having fun

BitterAndTwisted

maria90uk wrote: »

p.s. To those who say pay up and stop worrying, I am against paying as I don't believe they will take any further action, whereas my two fellow housemates want to pay. I need to prove to them there is no point worrying about the threat of court action/CCJs/bad credit ratings when we have had NO contact in four weeks from the letting agency asking for the money.

I am only willing to pay when we receive a formal written letter through the post asking for the money.

You can be as "against paying" as much as you like but the fact is that the arrears are due and payable and you shouldn't have to wait until a formal demand for payment has been issued: you should all pay it immediately.

Do you really want to put your relationship with your agent and your landlord in jeopardy for the sake of £75? Or risk being issued with a notice to quit? I think you'd better scrutinise your tenancy agreement very carefully to ensure you understand the risks you may be taking.

Hammyman

maria90uk wrote: »

It's a shame that housing contracts are always in complete favour of the landlord/agents and they can't easily be held to account for things that go wrong.

BWAHAHA. As a Landlord myself, I can guarantee you the law is weighted extremely in favour of the tenant. In effect, as a landlord once you sign the rental agreement you waive all rights to the house but still have to foot the bill for most things that go wrong and should a tenant decide not to pay, it can take over a year to get them out, all at your expense with little chance of redress.

jayme1

withholding rent for longer wouldnt really get you in any better position but rather will harm your argument more.

go to your uni housing office tomorrow and talk it out with them, they will help you.

in the future if anything goes wrong with your house you (should) either call the letting office and tell them whats happened, or even better is to go into their office an speak to someone (usually any sales person will help you) if they dont fix it you can either tell them again or go to your uni for advice.

remember you by no means have to stay in your house for the 2 years, one of the best advantages of being a student is you can easily move house for every year you're at uni, esp. if you are having trouble with the agency, just move to another.
if you go direct through your uni for houses they're sometimes added benefits such as your water rates paid for you.

Brb

How can you not afford to pay the £75 ? this was not additional to your rent after all, or did you just decide it was a windfall and spent it ?

BitterAndTwisted

Of course she can afford to pay it: most students spunk away that sort of sum on beer in a week or two!

tbs624

Maria - was this property on your Uni's approved accommodation list? If it was it is usual for the LL to have to sign up to a Code of Conduct so check that one out.

Report repairs issues in writing and keep copies - always.

If a LL won't deal with repairs within a reasonable time then follow the guidance at Shelter, from their pdf "Getting Repairs Done".

Unfortunately, even if a LL is not complying with their own obligations you are expected to pay your rent in full and on time, unless you follow the very specific guidelines from the Izzet case ( see Shelter's pdf)

If you need support, you can try the Council's Tenancy Relations Officer who can liaise with your LL if necessary.

Don't simply presume that a LL will not go to court over a smallish amount - if they do and they win you will be paying their court costs, and if not settled within 28 days you will have a CCJ to your name. If your tenancy is one with joint and several liability then you are making life difficult for the other Ts too.

ILW

OP seems to have a rather immature attitude, will probably learn when they grow up a bit though.

giddypenguin

maria90uk wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I am a student living in a house with 3 other tenants...

... they are receiving another £1196 from each of us in January...

You are paying £1196 each a month? £300 a week? Really?