Apartment renting hell

esj13

In July I went viewing apartments in Manchester.
Eventually I found one that seemed perfect.
I moved in at the beginning of August.
Ever since it has been problem after problem.
One of the showers leaked very badly and after pestering the estate agents it has only just been fixed. However it has left behand rotten floor boards and mould climbing up the walls nearby.
There was a similar story with the washing machine which has destroyed the laminate flooring making it uneven.
The place is alway damp and cold and nothing helps no matter how long the heating is on.
It has been a nightmare costing us £750 a month.
On top of which (I know I can't do anything about this but it just tops it all really) my flatmate is hell to live with and makes a mess and doesn't contribute to any household jobs.

Is there any way that I can get out of my lease early? It's a 12 month lease

ihatemyhouse

are you a lodger

who got the house mate, you or was you renting a room

esj13

Housemate is just someone that I know. We each signed half of the agreement with the estate agents.

ihatemyhouse

think you are stuck then, do you have a break clause in the contract, if you leave the other person takes over rest of rent

esj13

I'm definitely stuck with him as it's my own fault. It's mainly the poor property management on the estate agent's behalf that is making me most miserable.
Living in a damp flat is most unpleasant and their response on the matter is appalling.

G_M

ihatemyhouse wrote: »

think you are stuck then, do you have a break clause in the contract, if you leave the other person takes over rest of rent

Rubbish. If the break clause is implemented the other person must also leave.

And if there is no break clause and the OP leaves, the OP remains liable for rent (see below)

We each signed half of the agreement with the estate agents.

I assume you mean you each signed the whole of a single tenancy agreement, and are each 'jointly and severally' responsible for the tenancy?

One of the showers leaked very badly and after pestering the estate agents it has only just been fixed. However it has left behand rotten floor boards and mould climbing up the walls nearby.
There was a similar story with the washing machine which has destroyed the laminate flooring making it uneven.
The place is alway damp and cold and nothing helps

* Have you reported each issue? In writing (letter)? to the landlord? at the address for the serving of notices?
* if the damp is bad youcould consider reporting to Environmental Health and/or the Private Tenancy Officer at the council. However this is not a fast solution as they have few resources.
* why is it cold? This is not likely to be a result of the damp. What heating does the flat have? Does it work? How often do you use it? Is the flat double glazed? Are the windows/doors draughty? How old is the flat? The heating system? What floor is it on?

esj13

Yes we both signed one agreement.

We have complained about the shower and other issues including a light that blew up and a light switch that ocassionally gives you a shock.

It is a newish building on the top floor. It is double glazed but the heating is insufficient. Each room except the bathroom (no heating at all there not even a towel heater) has a single wall mounted convection heater which gives off a horrible dry heat that makes you sweat like mad and only keeps the room warm as long as it's on, which isnt going to be kind on the electricity bill.
I amd working on a very long winded letter to the letting agents right now.

CKhalvashi

As mentioned above, all you can really do is sit out the rest of the 12 months, and start to find somewhere 2 months before, from the likes of Rightmove and local agents.

CK

[Deleted User]

I suspect there is no insulation in the roof if you are finding the heating inadequate or disappears as soon as you turn the heating off. I experienced this in my rented house, the roof space had no insulation and the upstairs bedrooms were unusable in winter. BTW my EPC report said there was insulation in the loft. There wasn't, the report means nothing.

You may not have the same options but I managed to get some insulation for £1 a roll from one of the main utility companies and insulated the roof myself.

I suspect your best bet is to try and get into the roof space, see if there is any insulation, or tell the LA the coldness of the flat must be due to a lack of insulation and ask for the problem to be investigated (insulation or lack of). Another paragraph to add to your letter.

PS if your letter is long winded, you won't get as much attention paid to it as if you make it simple and clear (bullet pointed list of points) asking for action. Give a set time (say 7 working days) when you expect a reply. Then call environmental health about the mould issues etc.

dancingfairy

I would take pictures of everything and put all your concerns in writing to the landlord (not the letting agent) at whatever address you have for serving notices on the landlord. Give them a timeframe to address the issues.
If this fails then contact environmental health at the council and ask them to intervene.
The Shelter website is really helpful about how to enforce repairs so have a look on there as well.
With regards to your contract then you are stuck there unless: 1) you can agree an early surrender with the landlord, 2) environmental health determine the house is uninhabitable or 3) you have a break clause you are able to use.
I presume you have tried having a chat with your housemate about the issues?
df

gordonbennet

One other possible solution is if you can find a new flatmate for your flatmate! The LL may not agree, but as long as you cover the cost of replacing yourself, they may agree to assigning someone else in your place, or of signing a brand new lease.

As a landlord it's a bit of a pain when this happens, but as long as I'm not out if pocket it's preferable to having miserable tenants who don't look after the place.

PS - aside from the likely lack of insulation, the electrics sound potentially dangerous. Make a careful list and bring in environmental health to have a look if the landlord/ agent are not more responsive.

PPS deannatrois is correct about the length of the letter. It carries more weight if short, clear, concise and to the point