Useless letting agent

Fire_Fox

rev_henry wrote: »

Well, 10 mins after I sent the second email I had an answerphone message from them to say a BT engineer will be round to connect the phone/internet...on the 11th October!! OK maybe that's the first available slot with BT but the fact remains they haven't bothered to order it until probably yesterday when they've had all summer, so its not our problem. We need internet for our uni courses. Anything we can do?

What second e-mail?? We've already advised what to do, you cannot bypass the agent until you have the landlord's address. Your priority is to get everything in place, nobody can go back in time to get it done any quicker.

rev_henry

dancingfairy wrote: »

So have you written to the current letting agents yet (in writing not email)? Yes I'm going to do so! Have you received a reply yet (again in writing)? If you must use email at least follow it up in writing.
You do need to do what people are telling you to do. You may well need your landlords name and address so if you back off now you will look weak. Nono, I'm not backing off about that Plus the agents could still be messing around (you never know) and you need to have a proper paper trail with the actual landlord (as well as the letting agent) as if at any time you need to get more militant you will need all this, so the sooner you get organised with this the better.
In answer to your question I don't believe you will get any compensation or anything like that for not having a working internet. Dependong on whether it is written into your contract (I suspect it isn't) Yes, it is, as is the dishwasher you could possibly go after the landlord for compensation/breach of contract etc etcbut I suspect it could be a long haul and a) might not get you much money b) will cost you a lot of stress and hassle and c) won't actually resolve the issue of no internet. Mm, fair enough
I know it's a complete pain and hassle to follow all these steps about sending things recorded delivery and all this writing of letters etc etc when all you want is a speedy resolution but sadly you do need to resort to this to ensure things are actually done or you could be subject to more messing around, sad but true

df

dancingfairy wrote: »

Also I'm not sure a) you'll get internet much quicker organised and b) I doubt the previous letting agents will be able to help. I'm not quite sure why you think they'll help? They are not being paid by the landlord for a service so anymore (unless you signed up with them and they were the ones who were supposed to be organising internet access? Yes that is the case Although again, given that they are no longer in charge I can't see them being overly interested/helpful to be honest But yes that is also true!
I suspect you are also stuck with internet at a mates house/a dongle thingy or using your uni's facilities for the next few weeks
Sorry
df

Fire_Fox wrote: »

What second e-mail?? We've already advised what to do, you cannot bypass the agent until you have the landlord's address. Your priority is to get everything in place, nobody can go back in time to get it done any quicker.

I replied to their email saying 'no due to data protection' with a second email quoting the 1985 Act, and will follow this up in writing.

Thanks again everyone.

rev_henry

Right, so I am sending them the letter about the landlord's details today. Given that the dishwasher and internet are within the contract, could I demand a discount on rent until its sorted?

somethingcorporate

No, you can ask for one though.

rev_henry

somethingcorporate wrote: »

No, you can ask for one though.

But why not as they've broken the contract?

rev_henry

Oh and also, our 4th housemate had to swap with someone last minute and apparently the only way of changing deposits round is if we all withdraw them and pay them back. Does this sound normal?

MrSilk

rev_henry wrote: »

Oh and also, our 4th housemate had to swap with someone last minute and apparently the only way of changing deposits round is if we all withdraw them and pay them back. Does this sound normal?

I work for a lettings agent in London, You are fully within your right to request their tenants details, and they must provide these within 21 days.

Make sure your deposit is protected with a government authorised scheme, and also make sure the gas safety is fully up to date.

rev_henry

MrSilk wrote: »

I work for a lettings agent in London, You are fully within your right to request their tenants details, and they must provide these within 21 days.

Make sure your deposit is protected with a government authorised scheme, and also make sure the gas safety is fully up to date.

Thanks but that doesn't really answer my question.

somethingcorporate

rev_henry wrote: »

But why not as they've broken the contract?

How much would you deduct? How much would this be worth split a number of ways?

Unless the value is spelled out in the contract you risk your "deduction" being arbitrary and unfair. You do not want to get into arrears on housing voluntarily, it's stupid and dangerous and if you have a guarantor you may find them on the end of some nasty consequences to make up the difference.

If you negotiate with them about the lack of services you may get something.

Being heavy-handed when it comes to dealing with such complex areas gets people into all sorts of trouble (withholding rent / deposits etc) and is just not worth the consequences. Keep your hands clean in terms of the contract and if it ever gets to court you'll be looked upon favorably. If they breach it by not providing the services and you go ahead and breach it by not paying the rent in full then you are both in breach.

rev_henry

somethingcorporate wrote: »

How much would you deduct? How much would this be worth split a number of ways?

Unless the value is spelled out in the contract you risk your "deduction" being arbitrary and unfair. You do not want to get into arrears on housing voluntarily, it's stupid and dangerous and if you have a guarantor you may find them on the end of some nasty consequences to make up the difference.

If you negotiate with them about the lack of services you may get something.

Being heavy-handed when it comes to dealing with such complex areas gets people into all sorts of trouble (withholding rent / deposits etc) and is just not worth the consequences. Keep your hands clean in terms of the contract and if it ever gets to court you'll be looked upon favorably. If they breach it by not providing the services and you go ahead and breach it by not paying the rent in full then you are both in breach.

No I wasn't suggesting not paying rent, I was meaning asking them for a discount and if they say no go from there. Surely as they've broken the contract there must be a penalty?