Not paying rent an option?

fluffybunni

Hi
After many problems with my landlady/estate agent – see previous thread if you would like to know details.
I would like to know what could happen if we moved out without paying 2 months rent but they kept our deposit (1.5 months rent). I know this is wrong and not the right way to go about thing but they are not fixing a number of problems with the house including a leak through an electrical source and we have written to the landlady but she hasn’t responded and the estate agent do not respond either. I cannot get hold of the company director and we have had enough. They won’t let us end our contract unless we pay fees which are £300 and cover rent until someone else moves in, which we cannot afford to do.
Can they by law still chase us for outstanding rent if they keep our deposit and will it put a ‘black mark’ against our name financially?

jjlandlord

fluffybunni wrote: »

Can they by law still chase us for outstanding rent if they keep our deposit and will it put a ‘black mark’ against our name financially?

Obviously yes...

[Deleted User]

You have already been very thoroughly advised as to what could happen if you leave the property before the fixed period is up. Unless the property is totally uninhabitable, the LL could easily take you to court for the remainder of the rent for the remainder of the fixed period. They may, they may not. But it could be a sizeable sum if they do.

Plus any legal fees will be added on, court costs etc. I'd stop worrying about if you will get your deposit back and worry about these much larger sums to be honest.

Living in a place with damp should not irritate your asthma.., I can't decipher if/how bad any mould problems is. I have similiar problems with my place and I find if i scrub the mould away with a mask on, (its there because a flat roof is leaking and I have ceiling problems too), pollen affects my asthma rather more seriously than where we are living. I also have only one dependable plug socket in the kitchen, the rest are a nightmare. It doesn't affect my asthma, the electrics are a nightmare but are properly earthed as far as I can tell, the sockets just trip so its irritating but not actually a safety risk.

Personally, I'd advise waiting until your fixed period is up, give notice, and move then (as its getting warmer your place will dry out). If you are so stressed by the situation as it is, how stressed will the legal wrangling over the remaining rent be?

Its not ideal, but it could be worse. I can't move, am irritated by the fact that I am paying so much rent for what I consider a substandard property but .., it could be worse. Not a good approbation but its true.

TBagpuss

Yes. If you owe them rent, they are entitled to the full rent (not 3/4 of it)

When does your lease end, and what does it say about notice periods?

Pixie5740

Not paying rent is an option but one I would strongly advise against. No matter how crap the LL and LA are legally you owe them rent. The LL could take you to court for rent owed and if you don't pay up then you could end up with CCJ and you don't want that. It's not great that the LL won't see to the repairs but unfortunately them's the breaks.

Shelter has some good advice about repairs and home safety for tenants.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions

I would also be concerned about a leak through and electrical source so if your LL is not acknowledging your request for this to be repaired then your next port of call is the local council.

Bon chance!

Annie1960

A leak coming into contact with electrical wires seems dangerous to me. I am shocked that landlords can get away with this.