Landlord not interested in the house

Nickyglow

I signed a 6mth assured shorthold tenancy agreement on the 8th July this year. When viewing the house previous to signing the landlord advised me that the property needed some tlc and they where going to deal with it.

So I signed the contract and moved in on the 15th July, since then I have had nothing but issues with the property. The house is not secure as in the front door has been kicked in and the latch does not work at all, the door is too badly damaged to even fix bolts to the inside of the door. There is just a semi-lockable lock on the door.

The bathroom still has no flooring as there was an issue with the floorboards and the last tenant. I have had to fix the leak under the sink.

The landlord still has not sent me the deposit scheme info nor has there been a gas safety check done on the two gas fires.

I have contacted the landlord with pictures of the damage via email twice and approx 5 phone calls, with no result and they are now ignoring me.

The latest thing is that 1 day after I actually moved in I found out the house was for sale, the landlord hadnt told me this and when I questioned them they said no it wasnt anymore. Today the estate agent confirmed that it was still for sale and had been giving viewings, which means that when I have been out they have been in the house without me aware of this.

Any ideas where I stand, personally I want out and into a more secure property with no issues.

myhouse_2

Change the locks (keeping the originals), stick it out for the 6months (I assume) and then leave. Refuse all requests for viewing on the basis that the landlord says it's not up for sale and therefore no need for viewings.

may_fair

Nickyglow wrote: »

I signed a 6mth assured shorthold tenancy agreement on the 8th July this year. When viewing the house previous to signing the landlord advised me that the property needed some tlc and they where going to deal with it.

Always get such promises in writing.

So I signed the contract and moved in on the 15th July, since then I have had nothing but issues with the property. The house is not secure as in the front door has been kicked in and the latch does not work at all, the door is too badly damaged to even fix bolts to the inside of the door. There is just a semi-lockable lock on the door.

The bathroom still has no flooring as there was an issue with the floorboards and the last tenant. I have had to fix the leak under the sink.

See http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_in_private_lets which tells you what to do if LL fails to do repairs (basically, either contact the Environmental health Officer at the local council, or follow a procedure for arranging the repairs yourself - see the section entitled 'Tenants doing repairs').

The landlord still has not sent me the deposit scheme info nor has there been a gas safety check done on the two gas fires.

You can report the LL to the Health and Safety Executive if LL fails to provide a Gas Safetey Certificate. Request it in writing first.

I have contacted the landlord with pictures of the damage via email twice and approx 5 phone calls, with no result and they are now ignoring me.

It's best to report disrepair in writing and to keep evidence of reporting it - such as a copy letter (at the very least). Email is fine but print off hard copies; it's easy to lose email evidence.

The latest thing is that 1 day after I actually moved in I found out the house was for sale, the landlord hadnt told me this and when I questioned them they said no it wasnt anymore. Today the estate agent confirmed that it was still for sale and had been giving viewings, which means that when I have been out they have been in the house without me aware of this.

You can refuse viewings but it's more reasonable to allow them, say, for a two hour window per week. Something like that. It makes no difference if LL sells up; the new LL steps into old LL shoes and your tenancy will continue as before.

Any ideas where I stand, personally I want out and into a more secure property with no issues.

You are bound by the contract you signed; the issues you've described don't entitle you to repudiate the contract.

princeofpounds

Think may_fair covered it all apart from the deposit protection. Ring around the three schemes to check it is not protected. Then write to LL pointing out the relevant legal requirement and that you could sue them for a 3x penalty. If they are going bankrupt you might not get any money out of them though, so critical thing is do NOT pay more than one month rent in advance (You might lose the deposit but you are going to be in the house for 2 months at least if they try to evict you, if you handle it properly, so you won't lose the 'value' of the rent)

I agree, stick it out for 6 months. If you become enough of a nuisance with threatening to bring in officials and forcing repairs, preventing viewings then the LL might offer you terms to surrender the tenancy, maybe even pay you to go, plus give a good reference. Bad outcome is that house gets repossessed, but as long as you apply to the court you will get 2 months leeway to arrange to move on.

If LL or A harrasses you, call the police.

may_fair

princeofpounds wrote: »

If LL or A harrasses you, call the police.

The body which prosecutes offences under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 is the local authority. T should report any harassment by LL or agent to the Tenancy Relations Officer at the council.

princeofpounds

Fair point, but harrassment isn't just a criminal offence under that act alone and it's always good to have a police reference number.