When Renting Goes Wrong!

GaryMaguire

Hi All

Just want to clarify a few things. History of my renting is below:-

• Started renting over 5 years ago.
• Cheap rent for the area, £765PCM normal going rate £1250
• Every year an inspections has be done of the house and been good.
• Been given one rent rise to £785
• Told on numerous occasions that we are good tenants.
• Last inspection of the house, my wife told the LA that she was pregnant.
• 2 days later we get told that our Rent is rising from £785 up to £1100.
• When we tried to negotiate we were told that its still below Market Value.
• Have accepted that this is the case.
• 4 months before contract is up, we are asked do we want to renew.
• We reply that we are not too sure yet.
• In the mean time we have an electrical contractor come in to change the electric in the house due to it being condemned (i.e. we have been living in a condemned house for 5 years).
• 2 months before contract is up we get served a S21.
• We are now told we can not renew contract.
• We are of the opinion that we don't really want to after the way that things have been put to us.
• LA is requesting that we let builders in to install a new Shower, check the energy efficiency and that we let future tenants view the property while we are there. (as per contract???)
• My wife is 8 months pregnant (due 1st August).
• We are cleaning the house for the arrival of the baby.
• We will only be in the house for 1 month with the new baby (due to not being able to renew the contract).

The last thing we want is work going on while we are preparing for our first child. We feel victimised and the whole thing is stressing my wife out. What legal rights do we have and what's the best way of putting it to the LA without getting kicked out or it all going legal and getting police involved etc... I already feel my wife is under enough stress without this going on. We already lost one child last year and I fear any stress could cause problems with her current pregnancy. Should I seek advice from a solicitor?

Regards

Gary

mr_fishbulb

A little confused. Are you saying that your rent was put up to £1100 in the middle of your current contract? Or just if you wanted to renew?

G_M

In what way is your question different to the one you asked a few days ago here, to which you received replies?

GaryMaguire

Hi G_M

I just want to clarify my rights. My rent has not been put up, it was set to be put up on next contract which they no longer want to allow us to continue. Sorry if it feels like a double post but i really want to make sure I am getting things correct.

Am i ok to quote "right to quiet enjoyment" as a means of them not coming and invading our space with workmen and inspectors.

I don't want things to get stupid and out of control, i just want to live out my contract and then move to another house.

regards

Gary

G_M

GaryMaguire wrote: »

.....if it feels like a double post but i really want to make sure I am getting things correct.

Then seek clarification on the original thread. Duplication is a pain as posters can't see what's already been asked/answered, and miss much of the background explained in the earlier thread.

GaryMaguire

G_M wrote: »

Then seek clarification on the original thread. Duplication is a pain as posters can't see what's already been asked/answered, and miss much of the background explained in the earlier thread.

HI G_M

I'm sorry, I felt starting a new thread describing my situation in far more detail may have been more appropriate. My mistake.

Regards

Gary

ruggedtoast

Hearing stuff like this just makes me furious.

When I told my landlord my wife was pregnant he offered us hearty congratulations and some energy saving light bulbs. Unfortunately I dont think he's in the majority.

Obviously they want to do the place up, inconvenience you massively in the interim, and then let it to "childless professionals" at a sum they probably dont think you can afford, and they dont want a void.

No you dont have to let workmen in for non essential repairs, nor do you have to leave once the S21 comes into force; and the temptation must be to tell him to get stuffed. However you will probably need the douche bag for a reference.

I would probably contact the landlord in person and explain things. He may be more reasonable than the LA. You could also suggest being released early from the tenancy and just finding somewhere now.

It is simply not acceptable to expect a heavily pregnant woman to put up with strangers traipsing through her home. Let alone the stress of having to move.

akitabow

I would be careful by not allowing the builders in because most rental agreements state something along these lines
"Allow entry to the landlord or its agents to carry out nescessary maintenance work".
I feel for you but maybe just let them get on with the work. It may be better to do this to get a good refferance when you move.

GaryMaguire

Hi RuggedToast

Thank you so much for your input. I certainly do want to shout at the LA but I have learned that reacting too quick (and headless) will get me no where. I agree that they are probably after professionals that will not question the rent, That is their prerogative and they are in the business to make money so I kind of understand. It would be nice to think that some people still had a heart but not in this case.

I just basically want to have my first child without having a battle going on in the background. this may be impossible now though!

Is it possible if access is written in the contract that we have to let it happen?

regards

Gary

GaryMaguire

akitabow wrote: »

I would be careful by not allowing the builders in because most rental agreements state something along these lines
"Allow entry to the landlord or its agents to carry out nescessary maintenance work".
I feel for you but maybe just let them get on with the work. It may be better to do this to get a good refferance when you move.

Is this statement on the contract worth the paper its written on?

I really don't expect a reference from them as they are not treating us right so i would imagine that a reference would not be favourable.

akitabow

It might be when it comes to getting your deposit back, I have known some landlords can be complete asses over giving tennants their deposits back.