repairs in private renting...

hopesanddreams

Advice needed please we are currently renting through a letting agent and its become quite clear that the house we are renting is an absolute shambles...everything was rosy when we first moved in 6 months ago since then its gone downhill. We recently had to wait over 6 weeks for the shower to be repaired and that was only after having to phone them 3/4 times a day. The gas fire has been condemned after being declare 'unsafe' the electric constantly switches itself off, cupboards,drawers and doors have just 'fell off'. The back door has been boarded up as the lock broke and the landlord apparently refused to pay for it to be fixed?! The latest saga is the boiler is not working!! No heating or hot water for 2 days and nobody will get back to me....when i speak to someone they just say we'll get someone out. When????????????? :mad::mad::mad:
I'm pretty sure if I didn't pay the rent on time I would get a phone call!
Is there any kind of legal approach to this or something I could maybe quote to them when I next get to speak to somebody.

nikki_angel

You need to put all your issues in WRITING to the LA. They have an obligation to look at these issues within a certain time frame. Without a proper paper trail you have no evidence of bringing them up. 3 or 4 phone calls a day won't help matters.

xoAmyox

Just move, and quickly!

I've been in a scarily similar situation to the one you describe, I then witheld rent in order to be able to afford to move (this was after 3 months of no heating/hot water).

My car then got damaged 3 times (by the landlord), finally myself and my partner were assaulted in our living room by the landlord and his 'friend'.

Any LL with this much disregard for his property or his tenants is clearly someone you don't want to be involved with.

Staying put will only cause you suffering and worry.

hopesanddreams

Could write to them but need hot water and heating now!!!!!!!!!!! got 4 kids and have to go elsewhere for a wash...............:eek:

Werdnal

Do you know who the LL is? You should have his/her address, but if not, the LA has a legal right to provide it if you ask them in writing.

Write direct to the LL, detailing all the faults/problems and request that they respond within 7 days as to what remedial action they have arrange to put all these problems right - otherwise you will be taking further advice on the situation. LL may be unaware that LA is dithering and not arranging repairs, or may be just ignoring the situation. Either way, to take further action you need a "papertrail" to prove you have reported these problems and given the LL adequate time to respond.

If there is no reply, contact the Environmental Health Department at the local Council and ask them to assess the property. They will advice you on the next steps to get the LL to do the work, and can issue enforcement orders to the LL if the property is in a poor enough state.

Incidentally, did you get a copy of the gas safety certificate? If the gas fire has been condemned, do you have other adequate heating?

Do not keep ringing the LA as this will get you nowhere and there is no record that you have been pestering them unless you write.

Do not feel tempted to withhold rent! This is a last resort and will result in you being given notice!