FLEAS in my new rental house

CanItGetWorse

Hi, can anyone advise me as I've never rented before?

It looked like we were going to loose our (owned) home, so we quickly got ourselves a rented house, the lease is for 6 months. Now thanks to the generosity of our family we may be able to stay in our home.

We signed the lease last week, and haven't moved in yet, and yesterday realised the house has a massive flea infestation, along with some tiny white crab like creatures, all over the carpets. Could we use this as a potential bargaining chip to get out of our lease? We cannot live there, we have a small child and I'm not allowing her to sleep in a flea house! There are also a couple of other issies, we pay for shared use of the rear yard but the guy who owns the shop downstairs has refused to let us park our car there, blocking the access with his two cars and insisting we move ours when we actually do get in. There is also a pile of rubbish left over from the previous tennants that still havent been moved by the lettings agency even though we told them about it two weeks ago, and reminded them again lat week when we signed the lease.

I just want out to be honest, but theirs nothing in our assured shorthold tennancy about ending the agreement early, it's all mostly about the landlords rights. Their is a paragraph about refunding our rent if the house in rendered uninhabitable, but the example used is fire.

I'd be really grateful of any advice

Mind_the_Gap

Even though you have not yet moved into the property you have a contract to pay the rent and the LL could sue you for breach of contract if he chose to do so.

You may be able to use the infestation as an escape route but equally the LL (while obliged to de-infest the place) could still hold you to the contract.

It is however worth a try - email the LL explaining that the place is uninhabitable due to the fleas, white insects, etc., and would he like you to get the Environmental Health people in or would he prefer to do that himself?

Say that you understand that by expecting you to move into a flea-ridden property he may be in breach of contract, but that you are prepared to take no further action on this if he is willing to grant you a surrender of the contract. Make sure he agrees to this in writing (assuming he agrees).

poppysarah

tiny white things?

you mean silverfish?

http://www.google.com/search?q=silverfish&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1173&bih=705


Fleas hop. silverfish run.
They like damp though and there will be damp wood somewhere where they live/feed etc

They are actually quite cute. Although not if you're sharing a house with them.

robpw2

poppysarah wrote: »

tiny white things?

you mean silverfish?

http://www.google.com/search?q=silverfish&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1173&bih=705


Fleas hop. silverfish run.
They like damp though and there will be damp wood somewhere where they live/feed etc

They are actually quite cute. Although not if you're sharing a house with them.

if you fund them cute i would hate to think what you don't like
they give me the creeps

pinkshoes

Legally, you are liable for the contract for 6 months.

You are quite entitled to demand that the LL sort the problem(s) out before you move in thought, or perhaps appeal to his better nature and ask if you could cancel the rental agreement due to the problems.

thegirlintheattic

Just be careful you don't bring the fleas home with you! They are good jumpers.

princeofpounds

Regarding the fleas, you want to make sure you get some proper flea spray. Acclaim or similar. A lot of the stuff sold in supermarkets will kill the fleas but not the eggs, and so they'll all come back again. Acclaim is very effective in my experience. You can get it in a big boots or from a vet normally.

Otherwise, take evidence (photos?) and complain to LL in writing (and over phone to get an immediate response, but following up in writing essential) ASAP. Ask for it to be treated and for B&B accomodation plus storage costs if required. You can note that if he does not treat the property then you will contact environmental health and potentially take him to court for losses incurred.

If he gets on it right away, he might find that two cans of acclaim and a hoover will sort it all out.

SUESMITH_2

they sound more like silverfish, i'm sure fleas aren't white

greenmoneysaver_2

We bought a place with fleas. I am a Vet Nurse and even with my knowledge and access to killer drugs it still took 6 months to rid the place! It is a potential health hazard for a child as the psray drugs are strong. I recommend professional spraying.

greengerkin

Any old fly spray will kill fleas (not eggs) buy a can a room, spray it as closes to the floor without damaging carpet ect move as much as you can, close all windows and doors then move on to next room. YOU MUST LEAVE 4 HOURS before returning to ure house. iv used this on rental properties 4 years. fleas only realy surface in warm enviroments spray sping to autum you should be fine. this only a quick afforadable fix it woeks 4 me but it may not work 4 you . GL and may your future look less biten lol . The skys the only why up (wink)

CanItGetWorse

Thanks for all the replies. Sorry I perhaps wasn't clear it's fleas AND funny white crab thingies. And yes, a couple of fleas have found their way into our old home already!
I'll have a word with the letting agent tomorrow (I don't have the LL's contact details) but I just really dont want to live their now, creepy crawlies make me shudder!
Do you think it would be fair to offer a couple of months rent in order for them to end the contract immediately?