Advice about our landlord

Markb06

Hi,

We moved into our house in July 2013. We like it here and we are happy. Even started to decorate.

But there are a number or problems in the house that need fixing. The landlord is aware. They are:

Fence needs fixing

Plaster coming away from the wall near our door

Obvious leak in the roof as mould if forming on the ceiling in a cupboard in our bedroom

Radiator not working

Boiler yesterday lost pressure and a stain has formed on the kitchen ceiling. Weird burning like smell to from the boiler so now thats off so no hot water or heating

The fence, plaster and radiator have been like this since we moved in. All got promised they would be fixed. Still nothing. Well to be honest the fence was propped up but not fixed. The wind blew his prop down so its broke again.

The mould. All I get is excuses saying builders are busy with the current weather. I told him about this a month ago.

The boiler. He said he would get in touch by yesterday evening with a number with British gas homecare he has an account with (Do they fix leaks?) but nothing and now no reply. The boiler also has a not safe sticker on it. (It is safe but the flu goes through the loft. They is no bracket or ceiling plate so British gas said they have to put a sticker on it) and he has been told about this repeatedly. But nothing.

We have paid our rent on time since being here, made improvements to the house and never complained unless about issues like the above.

But I dont know what to do now. Being half term my kids are off but everyone else is at work so I cant really go around o anyones house.

Advice please?

G_M

Markb06 wrote: »

.

But I dont know what to do now.

Write a letter to the landlord at the address provided for that purpose on your tenancy agreement listing all the repairing issues.

Anything urgent, report by phone if you have number and then follow up with letter.

Read:

Shelter (Repairs in private homes)

Is the boiler gas? do you have a valid gas safety certificate? See:

HSE (Gas Safety Certificate rules)

Markb06

G_M wrote: »

Write a letter to the landlord at the address provided for that purpose on your tenancy agreement listing all the repairing issues.

Anything urgent, report by phone if you have number and then follow up with letter.

Read:

Shelter (Repairs in private homes)

Is the boiler gas? do you have a valid gas safety certificate? See:

HSE (Gas Safety Certificate rules)

Yes its gas and yes we have a certificate. It also highlights the above issues with the flu.

RAS

Also

Do you have the written permission of the LL to decorate?

You have to return the house in exactly the state in which you took it, unless you have permission to alter it, in writing.

If he starts getting RC about the repairs he may try to recoup some money from the deposit if you decorate without permission.

Markb06

RAS wrote: »

Also

Do you have the written permission of the LL to decorate?

You have to return the house in exactly the state in which you took it, unless you have permission to alter it, in writing.

If he starts getting RC about the repairs he may try to recoup some money from the deposit if you decorate without permission.

He has told us and also the estate agents have told us he is happy for us to decorate in neutral colours. Which we have done

G_M

Markb06 wrote: »

He has told us and also the estate agents have told us he is happy for us to decorate in neutral colours. Which we have done

'told'...... :eek:

Confirm it in writing. Write a letter confirming the conversation you had and asking him to confirm he is happy with your choice of colour.

Never rely on a casual, forgettable, conversation or phone call.....

Markb06

G_M wrote: »

'told'...... :eek:

Confirm it in writing. Write a letter confirming the conversation you had and asking him to confirm he is happy with your choice of colour.

Never rely on a casual, forgettable, conversation or phone call.....

Well we have only painted so its not an issue getting it back to normal if thats what he wanted.

G_M

Markb06 wrote: »

Well we have only painted so its not an issue getting it back to normal if thats what he wanted.

OK.

So tenancy ends. You move out. LL inspects and says he wants original colour back.

LL gets quote from his decortators to re-paint back to original colour for £150 per room.

LL deducts appropriately from your deposit.

You respond: "But you said I could re-paint!" & LL says "No I didn't."

You say, "OK, I'll paint it back." & LL responds "No way. Your tenancy is finished you can't go back in. And anyway I don't want an amateur hurried bodge-job."

..............:eek:

Markb06

Right ok. Maybe another thread for that. At the minute I am trying to get help with the issues in the house now.

benjus

One of the case examples on the TDS website was a tenant that had redecorated without the landlord's consent. LL was trying to claim for redecorating costs. TDS judged that because the tenant's work had improved the condition of the property, and had been done in similar colours to the original paintwork, the LL was not entitled to any deposit money.

Not saying this necessarily applies to you, but it's not always clear-cut.

BitterAndTwisted

I'd stop spending any of my own money on a landlord's property until and unless these repairs had been carried out. Sounds like he's just using you as a free property-improvement service while you pay him rent for the privilege