Help! Letting agent problems...

cupcake32

I need some help. We moved in to a house 7 months ago that had a myriad of problems from leaking taps, interior mould from broken guttering outside and the strong smell of cat urine. Needless to say, we complained about all of these things to the letting agents and during the first couple of months of our tenancy the landlord came himself and did a few things like fix the guttering. Ongoing is the problem with our boiler. On moving in we complained that there was no hot water, only tepid water at best. 7 months later we are still no closer to having hot water and have instead been told we should find ourselves somewhere else to live because the landlords are not happy with our 'moaning'. Basically we've been branded trouble makers. The landlords and agents have decided between them that the tenancy is more trouble than it's worth and they want us out. We are upset because we feel we've done nothing wrong except ask for what should have been provided to begin with.
We asked for a meeting with the agents and the director said he would 'investigate' why we have been left with a broken boiler for so long. We have heard nothing, except to tell us that the landlords would like us to leave in 3 weeks time, and that 'given our declining relationship' with the letting agents we are not permitted to view any of their properties. I feel like fire-bombing them! What can I do? Can they treat us like this and get away with it?

Fire_Fox

It's probably a wise move to remove that 'threat' from the last couple of lines, you can actually get into legal grief saying stuff like that.

Stop dealing with the monkey, write to the organ grinder themselves, the landlord is is the one legally obligated to provide you with a safe and habitable home. Write to them at the address at which to serve notices on your tenancy agreement: if there is none write to the letting agent requesting your landlord's address. Keep copies of EVERYTHING.

If you get no joy approach Environmental Health at the local council about anything that is unsafe or unhealthy (hot water and mould are certainly in their remit).

Ignore verbal threats that you need to move they have to serve proper written notice to quit, or remind them of the harassment stuff in the Protection from Eviction Act. Have you got a copy of the landlord's gas safety certificate? Is your damage deposit lodged with one of the three schemes and did you receive the prescribed information at the start of the tenancy?

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/notice_to_quit.htm
http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/landlord's_address.htm
http://england.shelter.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/23382/Harassment20and20antisocial20behaviour20EW2202D20harassment20and20illegal20eviction.pdf
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/home_safety/gas_safety

BitterAndTwisted

Sounds like the agent is doing you a favour. With no hot water after 7 months I'd be looking to get the hell out of there anyway.

Decline all viewings during your notice period. That way, you will ensure the landlord has a void-period between tenants. Hit him where it hurts.

G_M

You have two choices:

1) cut your losses and move out of this awful property. If 3 weeks is not convenient, write to the LL and copy the agent saying you wish to leave in 5 (6, whatever) weeks on xx/xx/13.

2) Stay, and pursue repairs. What are your tenancy terms? Are you in a Fixed Term and if so till when? Or was it a 6 month FT, and now Periodic(monthly)? If FT, you cannot be made to leave till it ends. If Periodic, you can be given notice (see below).

If pursuing repairs:
* do everything in writing, addressed tothe landlord at the address "for the serving of notices" and copy the agent.
* involve Environmental Health
* Read the Shelter guide.

Ending/Renewing an AST (what happens when the Fixed Term ends?)(What is a Periodic Tenancy?)(How can a LL remove a tenant?)(How can a tenant end a tenancy?)