1 week in and want to leave

almostfree83

I signed the lease on a flat a week ago, and moved in at the weekend. Once I moved in I've realised that the flat is in a terrible state and generally not safe, I'm looking for some advice.

I've rented directly with the LL and instead of paying a deposit, I am paying higher rent the first month, then gradually less until the 6 months are up.

The things I've found I wouldn't have been able to tell when I went to view the place (furniture hiding some of it and just not getting the chance to pull things about)

I have listed everything that needs fixed but I'm not sure firstly how long I can give the LL to fix them, or do I just grin and bear it for 6 months?

Any help greatfully appreciated!

cattie

It might help if you can give people here an indication of exactly what the problems with the flat are.

sandsni

Can you be a bit more specific about the things that are "generally not safe"? Are you talking about electrics/gas? Also, do you have a written tenancy agreement with the landlord? It might be an idea, in case you need it later, to take a few photographs (preferably dated) of the things you say are unsafe, to show that it was like that when you moved in.

G_M

What exactly is this payment schedule? What does the tenancy agreement say the rent is?

It sounds to me like there is a monthly rent, and in the first few months you are paying an addititional amount which is a deposit.

If so, that deposit must be placed in a registered scheme within 14 days of receipt and you must be given the prescribed info.

As for ending the tenancy, read this post here.

As for repairs/" flat is in a terrible state and generally not safe" it is impossible to comment without knowing what this means, but there are procedures for enforcing repairs. Walking out on the tenancy is not one of them.

almostfree83

Basically doors are hanging of their hinges, there are sockets hanging out of the wall, walls are crumbling, the handrail is loose at the top and on the verge of coming out the wall, the doors have been kicked in numerous times so the wood is split at the lock.
The LL / previous tenant has lost the gas cert (which I believe is for the old boiler anyway) but there's liquid oozing from radiators which looks like mould but I know it's probably not I'm just not an expert on what it could be.

almostfree83

"It sounds to me like there is a monthly rent, and in the first few months you are paying an addititional amount which is a deposit."

The deposit scheme doesn't apply where I am.

BitterAndTwisted

almostfree83 wrote: »

Basically doors are hanging of their hinges, there are sockets hanging out of the wall, walls are crumbling, the handrail is loose at the top and on the verge of coming out the wall, the doors have been kicked in numerous times so the wood is split at the lock. There's liquid oozing from radiators which looks like mould but I know it's probably not I'm just not an expert on what it could be.

Are you honestly saying that none of these things were obvious during your viewing? Did you visit the property at night during a blackout?

None of these sound like essential repairs which could help you weasel out of your tenancy.

WRITE to the landlord and give him/her an opportunity to fix them. Ask for a copy of the current gas safety cert and if one is not available a new inspection will need to take place.

The no-deposit-and-a-bit-of-extra-rent-over-a-couple-of-months sounds like the sort of arrangement someone with no savings or access to funds may be persuaded to enter into with a landlord of an unrentable dive on his hands. It's a bit of a pig in a poke, to be honest

RAS

Are you in Scotland or Northern Ireland?

G_M

Sockets hanging off walls; no gas cert; broken handrail (on stairs?) - these sound sufficiently serious/dangerous that you should enforce repairs. Also important to get them on record to avoid being blamed for them later.

1) write (politely) to the LL with a list of your concerns. Ask for him to respond within a few days with a timetable for his repairs.

2) if this fails, use whatever the Scottish system is.... Environmental Health? Health & Safety Executive? Council landlord registration scheme? Sheriff's court?

See also (Tenants’ rights) Shelter Scotland

racing_blue

RAS wrote: »

Are you in Scotland or Northern Ireland?

Don't be so narrow minded, there's dreadful housing in Wales too, and in some parts of Northern England

BitterAndTwisted

RAS wasn't being narrow-minded you fool! He was responding to a clue about where the OP might be when they mentioned the deposit. The housing laws are very different in NI and Scottishland to England & Wales. In most cases this is important and no responsible poster would want to mislead a tenant when giving advice.

Do you have any helpful or useful advice for the OP or are you only on here for other purposes?