Walker Singleton-Property Management from hell

Angie_pangie_2

Hi,

Basically our property management company Walker Singleton has been described as being from hell.

And we're having a really hard time at the moment, our problems started when we moved in 2 years ago. The dishwasher was broken and despite our requests to have it fixed, it was ignored and basically we didn't bother to pursue it any further.

Now recently the boiler broke down and as you can imagine in this weather with the recent snow, this is turning our lives into a nightmare. We called them a month back informing about the breakdown and were simply told the plumber would be there the next day, they never showed up so it was more phone calls and 10 days later the plumber had a look and then said they would be back next day again, didn't show up.

So we've called them umpteen times and it's always the same story 'the parts are arriving tomorrow and they would be there tomorrow.' Yet they never arrive or show up.

So basically there is no maintenance for our property, we've tried to call and speak to every single person, the plumber, the maintenance guy, the case handler, the property manager, the director. And their reply is always, 'I'll speak to the other guy to see what's being done and call you back in five minutes' and they never do. Their phones are always on voice mail and the only way to get through is to persistently call the other departments so they can put us through.

This is really worrying because obviously my boyfriend and I are not looking forward to moving in the middle of winter, but without heating or the boiler working or the place falling apart, I really don't know about what options we have.

My boyfriend has had a look at some other forum where the description were 'property management from hell!!' and apparently they do this so they can get the tenants out and they more commision/money from selling the property. This is obviously very worrying now and we don't know what to do.

Is there anything that we can do?

Can we fix the boiler or get another plumber to fix it and deduct it from the rent??? We have asked Walker Singleton about this and they've categorically said 'no we can't and they wouldn't deduct it from the rent'.

I would be very grateful if someone can advise us.

Thanks in advance.

BitterAndTwisted

Stop communicating by phone and START WRITING!

Angie_pangie_2

Obviously we didn't anticipate they would be fobbing us and stringing us this way, can you elaborate why I need to keep a written record?

Who do I approach with the written records?

BitterAndTwisted

You have to be able to prove that you've actually requested the repairs that you're complaining haven't been carried out.

In order to force the landlord to carry out their repairing obligations or to get them done yourself and deduct the cost from the rent you need documentary proof that you've requested them and they haven't been done. Landlords are required to have repairs carried out within a "reasonable time" but until that's in writing you can't start any of the legitimate processes.

Check the Shelter site for guidance and confirmation.

tbs624

Write listing out the sequence of events so far - keep to facts only. Keep a copy.

Tell them that you want them to supply the means to temporarily heat water/space at the property ( these can be hired by the day from places such as HSS). See here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/38851340#Comment_38851340

The LLs are required under s 11 of the LL & T Act to maintain the heating system. If they fail to get it fixed within a reasonable time then follow the procedure on p17 ( I think) of the Shelter pdf on "Getting Repairs Done"

The local Council's Env Health officer and/or Private Sector Rentals Officer can help if you get further fobbings off.

theartfullodger

This assumes you are in engerland & the landlord is private (ie not council or housing association)

Your contract is with your Landlord: His agent (W-S) is just that, his agent.

Write a calm, sober & polite letter listing all the issues and the history and request things are fixed and give a date by when you would like an answer. Send it to LL, keep copy, send another copy to W-S. If either have email by all means email but send paper copy also.

See this advice...
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_in_private_lets

Cheers!

Artful

Angie_pangie_2

Thanks everyone for the advice, it's really appreciated.

Well, it's snowed last night we're going to write a few letters today. One detailing the sequence of events, one for the complaints department which has been described as a complete sham, nobody cares.

Unfortunately we haven't got the main property owners address, WSingleton are only the managers but the property is owned by someone else who doesn't really have anything to do with, are they legally obliged to give us the main owners address? Because I don't think they will give it.

I was wondering about the legal implications of withholding rent? Because we've already cancelled the direct debit and I've read that's not a wise thing to do. How long is it before they can evict us? If they choose to do so in this weather.

Obviously we just want the boiler fixed but the only answer I can seem to get from them is they'll call us when they get the parts from the manufacturers, it could take a year, who knows? While we suffer in this frigid weather, it's already taken a month and I have a feeling that we're being lied to and they just want us out of the place so they can make more money off the commissions of renting/selling it.

theartfullodger

Angie_pangie wrote: »

Unfortunately we haven't got the main property owners address, WSingleton are only the managers but the property is owned by someone else who doesn't really have anything to do with, are they legally obliged to give us the main owners address? Because I don't think they will give it.

A few points..
a) Hopefully you have an address for the LL, even if it is only c/o the agent... and even if not send LL a copy of letters.. (why two letters?? I'd put it all in one ..) to him c/o agent..
b) But if you've been given no address (formally for you to "serve notices on LL" ) then the rent ain;t due (!! oh !!) - but it becomes due when you are given an address. The address must be in England or Wales. see Landlord & Tenant Act 1987 Section 48...
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1987/31/section/48
c) If agent will not give you an address remind him he must under Section 1 of the landlord & tenant Act 1985..
d) Usually the quickest & easiest way to find LL is to pay £4 to the land registry & see who owns the place --
http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/
(Find a property)
If his address is the property's address he's probably on the fiddle (tax or not told his lender he's renting..)

BitterAndTwisted

The legal implications of withholding the rent could mean that they will try to evict you . A landlord can begin the process by issuing you with a Section 8 Notice on the day after your second month's rent falls due and is unpaid. If it remains unpaid by the court date they will probably succeed in gaining possession.

I would advise you not to risk going down this road unless you have made plans for your onward move.

franklee

Angie_pangie wrote: »

Unfortunately we haven't got the main property owners address, WSingleton are only the managers but the property is owned by someone else who doesn't really have anything to do with, are they legally obliged to give us the main owners address?

Yes. Extract from Landlord and Tenant Act 1985:

1 Disclosure of landlord’s identity

(1)If the tenant of premises occupied as a dwelling makes a written request for the landlord’s name and address to—

(a)any person who demands, or the last person who received, rent payable under the tenancy, or

(b)any other person for the time being acting as agent for the landlord, in relation to the tenancy,

that person shall supply the tenant with a written statement of the landlord’s name and address within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which he receives the request.

(2)A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with subsection (1) commits a summary offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

Address is defined by the 1985 Act as a person’s place of abode or place of business or, in the case of a company, it's registered office. For this the agent's address will not do.

Note this is different legislation to section 48 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1987 where rent is not lawfully due unless the tenant has been given, in writing, an address in England and Wales at which notices can be served, which can be the agent's address.

Angie_pangie_2

The latest update.
We wrote them two letters as per the advice, one addressed to the property owner and one to W Singleton, we also emailed them and guess what? The plumber called this afternoon saying he had the parts, my OH had to leave early from the office so he could visit the flat and replace the part. Part replaced and the plumber told OH it had been fixed, we couldn't test it there and then as the water needs at least 45 mins to heat up.

An hour passed the boiler seemed like it was working but on checking guess what, the water was still cold so....... it hadn't been fixed.

Another call to the plumber and he just said 'oh I need to speak to my partner and I'll call you right back' and surprise! he nerver did!

Will have to see what's going to happen tomorrow morning but this plumber is completrely clueless about what he's doing. No idea what parts he replaced, whether it was even faulty at all.

And we keep suffering in this weather..... all I can advise people is never rent from Walker Singleton, we were foolish enough to rent from a firm whose only motive is making money from scaring away tenants and mismanaging properties.