Letting agent will not put tenants in touch with landlord

nadirnwo

HappyMJ wrote: »

Gas Safe regulation's http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/advice/renting_a_property/for_tenants.aspx

I'm suggesting that as a way of getting out of signing the tenancy agreement. If they can't see the certificate they can't sign the tenancy agreement and they can get the holding deposit back with much less hassle than relying on the other points the OP has raised.

Make sure your landlord is complying with the law


Your landlord has specific legal responsibilities when it comes to gas safety. Even if a property is only rented for a short time, like holiday accommodation, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations require your landlord to:

• Maintain pipework, appliances and flues provided for your use in a safe condition.
• Carry out a 12 monthly gas safety check on each gas appliance/flue. A gas safety check will make sure gas fittings and appliances are safe to use.
• Provide you with a record of the annual gas safety check within 28 days of the check being completed or if you’re a new tenant before you move in. If a property or room is hired out for less than 28 days at a time, it is also permissible for your landlord to display a copy of the current Landlords Gas Safety Record in a prominent position within the property.

Thanks for this. I am still not 100% on whether there is indeed a gas connection. Was told yesterday I would have an inventory today. No one got back to me.

G_M

HappyMJ wrote: »

Gas Safe regulation's http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/advice/renting_a_property/for_tenants.aspx

I'm suggesting that as a way of getting out of signing the tenancy agreement. If they can't see the certificate they can't sign the tenancy agreement and they can get the holding deposit back with much less hassle than relying on the other points the OP has raised.

Make sure your landlord is complying with the law


Your landlord has specific legal responsibilities when it comes to gas safety. Even if a property is only rented for a short time, like holiday accommodation, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations require your landlord to:

• Maintain pipework, appliances and flues provided for your use in a safe condition.
• Carry out a 12 monthly gas safety check on each gas appliance/flue. A gas safety check will make sure gas fittings and appliances are safe to use.
• Provide you with a record of the annual gas safety check within 28 days of the check being completed or if you’re a new tenant before you move in. If a property or room is hired out for less than 28 days at a time, it is also permissible for your landlord to display a copy of the current Landlords Gas Safety Record in a prominent position within the property.

"before you move in" is not the same as "before you sign the tenancy agreement".

And even if it is not provided before the tenant moves in, there is no penalty.

If tenant complained, HSE would investigate, and ask landlord if he had a GSC. If LL replied 'yes', and sent HSE a copy, GSE would be satisfied.

The fact that he had not provided it to tenant "before he moved in" would not really concern them. At best they would write LL a letter telling him to give it to tenant earlier next time....

nadirnwo

Well it seems that all this discussion, though helpful, may turn out to be completely academic. The letting agent is not getting back to us about any of our queries regarding the property.

Kayalana99

Perhaps it is just a case of the LL not quite moved out yet so unsure of what he is leaving...?

It does sound like the EA's have passed your questions long and it would seem it is the LL not responding?

Contacting him directly might be just as bad could just be lazy.

nadirnwo

True, I hope that that is the case. Otherwise I have a gut feeling that the letting agents have taken multiple holding deposits and the landlord is now sifting through who she wants to give the flat to.

nadirnwo

Right, so three weeks since I put up this post, I am still in the same situation. The agents are not giving anymore details about the property, what furnishings are included, whether there is gas or not, what is included in the "service charge", details of the landlord, inventory, nothing. They just keep on telling me that the LL is travelling and will get back to us in a couple of days.

The uncertainty is getting to me know. If I decide not to go ahead, should I just assume I loose the holding deposit or is there a case for arguing to get it back given zero response from the estate agent to any of my queries.

Guest101

You should tell the LA that you feel the money you have paid is not being used as described. You want proff that your details have been passed on to the LL. £ weeks is too long to wait, and if they cannot prove it, you want your money returned.

This could easily be fraud, and thats a criminal offence.