Can landlord restrict size of TV I use?

SideB

Hi,

I am a student who has recently moved into a private halls of residence. I have two questions.

1) Do I have the same rights as any other tenant, even though I am a student living in student accommodation?

2) The tenancy agreement, refers to house rules which are in a separate "handbook". This handbook states that we may not have a TV in our room that is over 21". Is this legal? I understand that I do not own the property, but I don't see how when I am paying rent for my own private space, the landlord can restrict the TV I use, as long as the way I use it doesn't disturb any one else?

I'd really appreciate advice on this! I have the TV in my room, and I am being told I must remove it or I will be evicted.

Thanks

Guest101

OK, lets see here:

1: Yes, you have the same rights, depending on what your tenancy agreement says regarding duration, but I would wager the agreement runs from Septemeber to July. Is this accomodation provided by the uni, or a private company (with university support)

2: Even if you did disturb anyone else, the LL cannot do anything about this. The other people could complain to the council etc etc, but the LL is powerless to stop you using any size tv you want. No they cannot just evict you, evictions can only happen after the initial fixed term of you agreement has passed, and with student lets, this typically run from september until june/july.

Probably trying it on, as you are inexperienced in such matters.

Bit more info as to who's told you to move the tv and who the LL is may help.

SideB

Guest101 wrote: »

OK, lets see here:

1: Yes, you have the same rights, depending on what your tenancy agreement says regarding duration, but I would wager the agreement runs from Septemeber to July. Is this accomodation provided by the uni, or a private company (with university support)

2: Even if you did disturb anyone else, the LL cannot do anything about this. The other people could complain to the council etc etc, but the LL is powerless to stop you using any size tv you want. No they cannot just evict you, evictions can only happen after the initial fixed term of you agreement has passed, and with student lets, this typically run from september until june/july.

Probably trying it on, as you are inexperienced in such matters.

Bit more info as to who's told you to move the tv and who the LL is may help.

Thanks, in regards to the TV, is that the case even if they mention it in rules which are referred to in the tenancy agreement?

You said that I coudn't be evicted until the initial term passes, but if I do break part of the agreement, does that not entitle them to evict me?

It is a private company.

Thanks

ValHaller

For me the important question is 'Why?'. If it is just to control your life, then it is a rule to challenged.

But there may be a practical reason relating to electricity consumption within the building. Your particular 22 inch TV may not be a problem, but someone's 21.5 inch TV may be the straw which breaks the camels back and required circuit breakers to be reset. And if electricity is included in the rent, well my be it is not unreasonable for the LL to put some limits on their commitments.

mail2z

Usually this is the limit the comsuption of electricity which is included in the rent, the landlord cannot evict you but this does not mean he cannot charge you additional monies to cover additional electricity cost.

HappyMJ

ValHaller wrote: »

For me the important question is 'Why?'. If it is just to control your life, then it is a rule to challenged.

But there may be a practical reason relating to electricity consumption within the building. Your particular 22 inch TV may not be a problem, but someone's 21.5 inch TV may be the straw which breaks the camels back and required circuit breakers to be reset. And if electricity is included in the rent, well my be it is not unreasonable for the LL to put some limits on their commitments.

Really...a few 10's of watts difference...it'll make little difference. What about irons and hair dryers...they use a lot more energy?

If they want to limit electricity usage then why don't they just put a 8A trip switch to each room which will limit each room to around 1800W. They could still have 25 rooms on a 100A main fuse without any major modifications to the electricity supply. The use of any electric heater would trip just the one room out immediately. It will still be enough for an iron or a hair dryer.

Is there anything in the rules regarding electric heaters?

Kayalana99

Guest101 wrote: »

OK, lets see here:


2: Even if you did disturb anyone else, the LL cannot do anything about this. The other people could complain to the council etc etc, but the LL is powerless to stop you using any size tv you want. No they cannot just evict you, evictions can only happen after the initial fixed term of you agreement has passed, and with student lets, this typically run from september until june/july.

Probably trying it on, as you are inexperienced in such matters.

Bit more info as to who's told you to move the tv and who the LL is may help.

I think this is wrong. If you signed a contract to agree to something then you've signed it & agreed (I assume by your comment about even if its in the tenancy agreement that it is)

It's def not ethical, and makes you wonder why the hell not tbh....but you would be breaking your contract if you had one over 21 inchs, again, assuming its in their.

He can't dictact to you what he wants you to do with your own space in general, but if its their in black & white although this might be the extreme way of looking at it...its like disallowing pets to stay, even though its your space the LL has the right to not allow them.

System

Be careful. If it is halls of residence then you may only have a licence to occupy and not a tenancy agreeement a.k.a AST. In fact it is very rare for ASTs to be used for halls.

You will not have the same rights as a normal tenant in this situation.

theartfullodger

Careful: You say "Halls of residence". Under Housing Act 1988 Schedule 1 clause 8 (I think..) some lettings to students cannot be (may not be) "assured tenancies" and as such cannot, may not be, ASTs... (AST a special form of AT).

So please tell us what sort of tenancy agreement you have first (it should say at the top). And name of landlord (eg "University of AnyTown, Lettings department"). You might find you have few rights & can easily be booted out.

Having said that a landlord CAN (anyway - eg for AST or AT tenancies) apply for a possession order during fixed term for breach of tenancy: However suspect most Judges would not evict for having a small, kept-quiet, tele..

Cheers!

(Oopps - wot !!!!!! said...)

System

To follow up. You will basically have the rights and limitations mentioned on the licence and if one of the conditions is that TVs are limited in size then you, having read and signed as agreeing to the licence, are bound by it.

45002

SideB wrote: »

Hi,

I am a student who has recently moved into a private halls of residence. I have two questions.

1) Do I have the same rights as any other tenant, even though I am a student living in student accommodation?

2) The tenancy agreement, refers to house rules which are in a separate "handbook". This handbook states that we may not have a TV in our room that is over 21". Is this legal? I understand that I do not own the property, but I don't see how when I am paying rent for my own private space, the landlord can restrict the TV I use, as long as the way I use it doesn't disturb any one else?

I'd really appreciate advice on this! I have the TV in my room, and I am being told I must remove it or I will be evicted.

Thanks

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?57461-Can-landlord-restrict-size-of-TV-I-use

:eek: