Scumbag Developer LL's and Lettings Agents

mrsS_2

If the application has only just been submitted, then I would send a letter to the council objecting to the development and get as many neighbours to do so as well-this will hold up the planning process by at least 6 months!

(may be a useful lever if you want to get out of renting this property entirely-)

I believe rental agreement will only allow reasonable access by landlord so dont think he can start building work until you have moved out anyway as he wont have use of "your" garden.
He/she cannot just start fencing off gardens etc-what you agreed to pay for when you rented is what you get for the period of the contract-otherwise it is void/up for renegotiation.

If you rent a house with central heating and it goes wrong-the LL fixes it or you get a reduction in the rent. same principle should apply-not a lawyer but have always found this works when dealing with letting agents!

chant1l

It is possible that the LL is a turd, it is also fairly probable that he discussed everything with the agent who omitted to mention it (why endanger the fee?). Neither of which really helps you, what I will say is that as a landlord myself you never want to start an agreement wrong footed. Talk to the agent and explain that you want another house from him which you will be wanting long term , you may find him more receptive to this than simply blowing him out.
It is also possible that the LL is selling everything in one go with outline PP and the house (tenanted - you) to investors - you might want to get this clarified. But you must pipe up.

lush_walrus

jyonda wrote:

Like I said, it totally changes our perspective on the place because not matter what, at some point not of our choosing in the next year or 2 the LL will be altering the property significantly. Do you not think it underhand to delay the application to reduce the chances of us finding out beforehand?

But, they have not delayed any application. It is the planners who have put the sign in place, as is required of any planning application. Your landlord would not have had a clue when they would do that! The application will have been submitted a while before any notices are placed. My guess is the reason it went up on the 27th is because between 26th and 2nd only the planners are working, most architects take that period off. The planners can then catch up.

With regards to your circumstances changing beyond your control, well this is always the case unless you have signed a 20 year tenancy agreement, and even then my guess is any contract would have a six month break clause. Circumstances change all of the time, there is not one landlord out there who can predict for you that they will wish to rent their property out to you for any period longer than you have signed for. It is just totally unrealistic, can you honestly commit for the next 2 years? What if the neighbours are awful, wont you want to move? What if your job gets moved to another area, surely you would want to consider moving with it? There are a million changes that could happen between now and the next 2 years.

lush_walrus

mrsS wrote:

If the application has only just been submitted, then I would send a letter to the council objecting to the development and get as many neighbours to do so as well-this will hold up the planning process by at least 6 months!

(may be a useful lever if you want to get out of renting this property entirely

Are you really sure that is the right advice? Other than an attempt to get revenge and cost the landlord a large amount of money I can not see a benefit to the tennant.

All letters objecting to a planning application are kept on file for public access, ie the OPs landlord. If I were the OPs landlord I would most certainly see this as a very spiteful move and would treat them with complete contempt, and believe me they would be out the moment the contracts break clause appears.

And just for your info, a decision on planning applications is always met within 8 weeks one way or the other. If the application is approved, then that is that, if the application is declined then the applicant has a right to appeal, in the meantime as said above, the landlord will know the reasons for the objections and the people who have objected.

And building will not start straight away, on a new build property of this size full plans Building Regs will need to be applied for, which will entail detailed drawings of the construction, waste, foundations etc. All of which (unless the developer is crazy) will not have even been started yet.

UK007BullDog

So, any news yet? Please update us. How did it go? I am very interested to hear what the LL and the EA had to say.

jyonda

just spoke to the LA who had ver little to say but said they would speak to the LL and find out their intentions. Oh and by the way can the LL come arouind tomorrow and let himself in with a surveyor!!!!!!!
So, no rush then.

Gorgeous_George

He still should not be allowed to start work without your consent as you are entitled to quiet enjoyment. Personally, I'd let him do what he wants but with a significant reduction on the rent.

I know many people who own their own homes and who have had new estates built within a stone's throw of their front gardens, or neighbours building unsightly extensions, or mobile phone masts being sited closeby, etc.. Between them they have lost thousands in lower property values.

It's not a problem that only affects tenanted properties.

I sympathise with your position but 'good advice' has to be realistic and may not be what you wish to hear. Can you not be home when the LL visits with his surveyor? You could overhear some good info and perhaps suggest that a reduction in the rent is appropriates given the circumstances (I'd start negotiations at 30%-ish).



GG

silvercar

I would definitely be there when the surveyor is there.

As far as the start of works goes, which is preferable, refusing access and insisting on "quiet enjoyment" or negotiating for a reduced rent in return for loss of amenities? Personally, I would rather have 6 months of peace.

clutton_2

you do not have to let them in.

olly300

The LL or anyone representing them has no right of access to the property, house and garden while you rent it at all except on your say so. So you can refuse entry to LL but you are making life difficult for yourself because if you need the LL to do a repair they are likely to drag their feet.

I would be reasonable to the LL and find out their intentions i.e. when they plan to do the work, so yes I would be present when the surveyor comes and ask lots of questions.

Most LL want to make money but they don't want to give an excuse for reasonable tenants to move out because then they loose money.