Rental nightmare...already!

Mary222

I have only just moved into my rental property and there is already many problems

1) There is damage all over the property. Such as holes in the carpet, dents in walls etc. Worst of all is that the window is cracked from one side to the other! Ready to cave in!

I am concerned as they may now make me liable for the cost of replacing the window! As well as the holes in the carpet etc

Sure, there is an inventory where I can note the damage, but its my word against theres as this damage wasnt noted on their inventory

2) This issue is crossposted
There is still an active BT line, the prior tenants ran off and left the line active. I have a BT engineer coming out next week to connect my line and internet. With an active line already existing, are they going to be able to connect my line and internet.

Really worried about that one as I need internet for my business.

Your help and advice is appreciated!!!!

G_M

1) Do not sign the inventory till the damage/dirt etc has been noted! If you don't sign, it's worthless. If you do sign, it will have the damage recorded.

2) Take photos. Send a letter to the landlord asap at the address provided "for the serving of notices" listing all the problems, enclosing the photos, and asking for damage to be repaired where relevant.

3) BT - no idea - call BT and ask?

grifferz

Mary222 wrote: »

I have only just moved into my rental property and there is already many problems

1) There is damage all over the property. Such as holes in the carpet, dents in walls etc. Worst of all is that the window is cracked from one side to the other! Ready to cave in!

I am concerned as they may now make me liable for the cost of replacing the window! As well as the holes in the carpet etc

Sure, there is an inventory where I can note the damage, but its my word against theres as this damage wasnt noted on their inventory

Why did you sign an inventory that did not contain the extensive damage that you mention? Or did you not sign one? If you did not sign one then come moving out time they will find it difficult to prove the initial state of the property.

Either way it will be in your interests to take photos of everything now, and put them in writing to the letting agent and landlord. You don't need to be confrontational about it, you can simply say that you are noting the initial state of things not reflected on the inventory so there are no misunderstandings when you leave.

For best protection in the event that someone claimed they never received your letter, you would put this in writing and post to the letting agent and landlord using the landlord's address for correspondence that is provided in your tenancy agreement. You would get a free proof of posting from the post office.

I'm afraid I do not know the answer to your other question.

Good luck!

Mary222

Thanks!
I did not sign the inventory yet. I will do so noting the discrepencies. However, even if I do this, wouldnt it just be my word against theres?

For example, they can say that the window was fine when we saw it, or that they did not see holes in the carpets etc.

Also, is emailing them the letter and photos just as good, or do you recommend hard copy in the post

Thanks so much!

G_M

Mary222 wrote: »

Thanks!
I did not sign the inventory yet. I will do so noting the discrepencies. However, even if I do this, wouldnt it just be my word against theres?

For example, they can say that the window was fine when we saw it, or that they did not see holes in the carpets etc.

Also, is emailing them the letter and photos just as good, or do you recommend hard copy in the post

Thanks so much!

All in my earlier post.

If you don't sign, it's worthless. If you do sign, it will have the damage recorded.

Send a letter to the landlord asap at the address provided "for the serving of notices"

Mary222

Your right, thanks.

grifferz

Mary222 wrote: »

Thanks!
I did not sign the inventory yet. I will do so noting the discrepencies. However, even if I do this, wouldnt it just be my word against theres?

Yes and no. They have been remiss in letting you take residence without a signed inventory. The inventory is the agreement between both of you of what the state is and neither of you can prove anything without it being signed by both. So I think you have the upper hand here.

For example, they can say that the window was fine when we saw it, or that they did not see holes in the carpets etc.

So then when you say, "I'm telling you this is the initial state, do you agree?" they can either insist no and never have a signed inventory which means that when it comes time for you to move out they will find it very difficult to prove that you did that damage plus any additional damage that may have occurred.

Or they can come to an agreement with you and end up with a signed inventory.

Which do you think they will go for?

Also, is emailing them the letter and photos just as good, or do you recommend hard copy in the post

While you may find emailing them is convenient to have a conversation and agree basic terms, you will want to have the final agreement on hard copy posted. In fact if they're going to sign a new inventory I think they are supposed to do that in person with you.

Jimbo1976

If the previous broadband and telephone was supplied by BT then you might be ok with a the BT engineer coming. If they were not the supplier then you will need to wait until the whoever was the pevious supplier is cancelled. We had to wait about 3 weeks for this to happen before BT could activate our lin. Not fun

Mary222

Thanks Jimbo & grifferz!

ruggedtoast

BT will not be able to cancel another customers phone line, even if they no longer live there.

If they are exceptionally disorganised they will keep paying for their phone line by direct debit and you will be stuck with it forever. If they arent paying eventually BT will disconnect them but you will be stuck with it for the timebeing.

You may have to pay for a second phone line.

fitter2000

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