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Deposit not secured - haggle with LA/LL?

Our AST ends 28 August. I'd like to stay here but my housemate is moving out to live with his girlfriend.

We have had several maintenance issues with a leaking conservatory roof which has been "fixed" 7 times, a boiler which doesn't heat radiators or water properly, a shower which only warms water up in the summer and leaks from bathroom to the kitchen.

Having said all that I'd like to stay here as decent housing in good areas which are affordable are very hard to find.

After doing some research I've realised that our deposit was never secured with a deposit scheme. I understand that this can be very expensive for the LA/LL as a result.

I'm inclined to use this to my benefit and haggle to have a lower rent for myself instead of going down the claim route.

Is this a bad thing to do? I realise a consequence could be bad relations but a positive is the property is continued to be let and they aren't liable for court costs etc.

Comments

  • dancingfairy
    dancingfairy Posts: 9,069 Forumite
    Hmmm, not sure how that would work to be honest. What would stop you agreeing a price and then turning around later/after the tenancy agreement and suiing him?Nothing, as far as I can see. It also sounds more like blackmail than negotiation and has the potential to sour relations.
    What I would do is refuse to sign a new contract until the items are fixed to your satisfaction and/or negotiate a new contract perhaps based on the state of the property.
    If you keep the deposit thing up your sleeve then you can use it later on if the landlord decides to serve you incorrect notice.
    Have you got a current gas safety certificate? It sounds like the boiler needs checking. This you should chase up (as he could get fined I believe).
    df
    Making my money go further with MSE :j
    How much can I save in 2012 challenge
    75/1200 :eek:
  • dancingfairy
    dancingfairy Posts: 9,069 Forumite
    Just to add that you can to a certain extent force repairs by contacting environmental health re lack of heating/hot water/adequate means of sanitation (I think a shower comes under this?) and/or follow the guidlines outlined on the Shelter website.
    Obviously if you are considering staying for a longer term they can't be that bad though and once you start enforcing repairs you may annoy the landlord.
    df
    Making my money go further with MSE :j
    How much can I save in 2012 challenge
    75/1200 :eek:
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    If the reparing issues are as you say, I'd move.

    Or chase for repairs.

    As for the deposit, if I were the LL (well, I'd have registered it, but....) and you started blackmailing me like that, I'd:

    1) return the deposit in full (which i) mitigates my liability if taken to court and ii) makes a S21 notice valid) then
    2) issue a S21 and get rid of you
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