Landlady demanding a brand new door, what are my rights?

DVardysShadow

silk wrote: »

It's times like this EA's just get in the way and cause stress rather than helping matters.

You are entitled to have the Landlord's address and do not need to pay over rent until you have this [note carefully the difference between 'pay' and 'pay over' -once you have the Landlord's address, then you must pay and also for the period you did not have the address].
So request the Landlord's address and then you can deal with this direct.

967stuart

Just withhold the rent until she stops being an idiot.

Hammyman

967stuart wrote: »

Just withhold the rent until she stops being an idiot.

Excellent advice to ensure that the OP gets kicked out.

silk_2

DVardysShadow wrote: »

You are entitled to have the Landlord's address and do not need to pay over rent until you have this [note carefully the difference between 'pay' and 'pay over' -once you have the Landlord's address, then you must pay and also for the period you did not have the address].
So request the Landlord's address and then you can deal with this direct.

Thank you for the info, I will check my paperwork tonight and chase it up.

Hammyman wrote: »

Excellent advice to ensure that the OP gets kicked out.

I think he was just being witty. It made me smile anyway.

jjlandlord

DVardysShadow wrote: »

You are entitled to have the Landlord's address and do not need to pay over rent until you have this [note carefully the difference between 'pay' and 'pay over' -once you have the Landlord's address, then you must pay and also for the period you did not have the address].
So request the Landlord's address and then you can deal with this direct.

This is not correct:
Rent may be withheld until tenant gets an address in England for the purpose of serving notices. This may be the agent's address, and may already be specified in T's contract.

Separately, if T asks agent in writing for LL's address, agent must disclose it within 21 days or face a fine (enforcement by local council).

silk_2

Oh and more info, here's the original note that sparked it all off from the EA.

EA wrote:

The Landlord has been in touch regarding the door situation. She has expressed that she is really not happy with this and expects that the door now should be replaced for new-she feels that to repair the existing door would leave that door in a sub-standard condition and as no agreement in writing has been given this is what she is requesting

I have told the Landlord that I would advise you of this accordingly. The Landlord has been provided with all the information you gave when this request was initially put forward but does not feel that a repair to the existing door is suitable

I've replied again since, asking at what point anyone said the door was broken or damaged in order to need "repair" in the first place.

If the LL has said those words, that means the LL thinks the door has been damaged, which means the EA has miscommunicated somewhere.

Edit: EA got in touch and clarified it was her own (EAs) wording not the LL's.

silk_2

And been digging about in my emails and I have this from the LL in writing too:

LL wrote:

I am sorry but I am not happy with having a dog flat installed in to the current door, but if the tenants wish to get a different door and have that installed then this would be fine, but I would want the current door stored in the garage at home.
Also if there is any damage done to the current door why it is in storage then the tenants will have to have this replace or repaired.

princeofpounds

From what you have said, it's utterly clear that the LA has communicated a misunderstanding here. The LL believes the door is damaged, and you say the panel is by design removeable and can just be put back. This is probably an honest misunderstanding, but not easy to clear up without direct explanation, so I would pursue direct contact absolutely. I would refuse to even countenance buying a new door unless you have spoken direct, if worst comes to the worst it can be dealt with as a check-out issue.

BitterAndTwisted

Just assure the agent/landlord that you will reinstate the removed panel when the tenancy ends. As you had an approved tradesman to install the new panel I'm sure that they'd be willing to confirm in writing that no damage has been or will be done (for a small fee, I daresay).

Did you consider having the door replaced when you received that email earlier? Seems that was the only condition for the landlady giving approval the dog-flap, so I don't see why you should have gone ahead against the landlady's wishes and not expected some "discussion" about it later.

If your own tenant had done the same thing in the property you rent out how would you feel in the same situation?

Badger_Lady

Is it just me? Reading those quotes you've posted, the LL only expects the door to be replaced at the end of the tenancy, which is what you hoped for.

As for the panel replacement, perhaps inviting her for an inspection would ease her mind? She clearly thinks that a section has been cut out and will be filled in, rather than it being a panel of the door that's designed to be removable.