Some advise needed please...

willow14710

We have rented a house through an agent (never rented before) and have paid 6 months rent up front as we don't have any history to check on here as we have been out of the UK for a couple of years.

We have signed an agreement for 12 months, 6mths upfront then monthly thereafter and we are only a couple of months in and we want to leave early!

* constant road noise day and night and unable to sleep - not apparent when we viewed the property. Expected some road noise but governed by the traffic....1230/1 slows off and starts again 0530am
* windows in property as thin as paper!
* Not seen the gas safety cert at all even though I thought this had to be shown by landlord.
* No info on deposit scheme although I checked that it is protected through the Shelter site - thought this was to be forthcoming from LL
* Rising damp in lounge, entrance, kitchen not evident on viewings

I have no idea how to move forward with this one....any advise greatly received!!

thanks x

Cornucopia

Put your concerns to the agent.

willow14710

the agent only supplied a "find" service for the LL and they really dont give a T*ss now!

has the LL broken his side of the agreement by not being forthcoming with info?
property has been rented for the past 10 yrs as far as im aware and tenants only stay 6mths apparently....makes me wonder why?? had none of this info before hand as new to area

thanks x

BitterAndTwisted

Is there a break-clause in the agreement at the six months point? If so, exercise it. If not, start negotiating for an early surrender. Now you know why there has been a constant change-over in tenancies.

Apart from registering your deposit your landlord should have supplied you with the required confirmation.

And yes, if there is a gas-supply your landlord must provide you with a copy of the current gas-cert. Just because you haven't seen a copy of the gas-cert does not mena one does not exist. I'd be surprised if a landlord of ten years standing was not aware of the very serious penalties for not having the annual safety-checks done. Custodial sentences have been known and the fines can be eye-watering. WRITE (not email, not text-message or anything else that does not entail putting pen to paper) and ask about both the deposit info and the gas-cert, plus put your observations about the damp. Doing this now could avoid your blamed for causing it and having deductions made from your deposit.