Complaints about Landlord

Stu_Dent

Hey everyone,

After moving into my rented student accomodation in September I, as well as my housemates, have been appalled by the conduct of our landlord. In the first term he would turn up unannounced once a week and his agents would let themselves into our property as and when they felt like it. To add to this he has been fairly abusive in emails, insulting each member of the house at one point or another.

We are now looking to make a formal complaint about him to various organisations but are not sure who exactly we should be contacting.

If anyone has any information please let me know!

Thank you for your help

Stu:)

poppy10_2

Stu_Dent wrote: »

In the first term he would turn up unannounced once a week and his agents would let themselves into our property as and when they felt like it.

This is illegal and is a police matter - they can be arrested for tresspass.

Guy_Montag

If anyone enters the property without your permission then call the police, ideally get a female flatmate to do it - add a bit of crying, "there's a stranger in the house *snif*, I'm scared *phone goes dead*". They are allowed in only with 24 hours written notice & at your convenience.

Apart from that - contact your Student Union/Representative/Uni accommodation office, & the local council private lettings department - they often have a black list of landlords that are trouble.

Apart from that you could try the residential landlord's association, but it won't do much good if he's not a member.

olly300

poppy10 wrote: »

This is illegal and is a police matter - they can be arrested for tresspass.

Trespass is a civil offence.

Harassment can be a criminal or civil offence.

The landlord is harassing the tenants.

And in addition to guy's post if the female house mate is a good screamer get her to scream "stay away from me you b!!!!!!" or similar words before the phone goes dead.

Stu_Dent

Thank you for your replies

We didn't call the police or anything at the time because we didn't want to cause too much trouble, even though looking back at it now we should've done.

We have now left the house at the end of the contract and are trying not to cause too much trouble as he is already dreaming up several reasons to take our deposits. Therefore we were thinking that we'd do all the complaining after we've received whatever percentage of our deposits that he returns.

I would've thought though that now it has been a few months since he last trespassed it is probably too late to complain about that aspect now? although I have saved all his emails to I can definitely reference them in any complaint letter.

If anyone has any more information I really do appreciate all your help,

Stu

Stu_Dent

olly300 wrote: »

Trespass is a civil offence.

Harassment can be a criminal or civil offence.

The landlord is harassing the tenants.

And in addition to guy's post if the female house mate is a good screamer get her to scream "stay away from me you b!!!!!!" or similar words before the phone goes dead.

Thank you for your reply, concerning the trespassing, would I still be able to complain several months after the tresspassing took place, and furthermore seeing as though I had no proof other than mine and the rest of my housemates word?and secondly who would i complain to?

also, in terms of harrassment, who would i complain to about that? and do emails count as a method of harrassment because then I have a very large case!

thanks everyone:)

Jim_B_3

If he wants to deduct anything from your deposit, he may not do so without your agreement. Do not agree, ask to see receipts for any work he claims is done etc.

As students, you frankly have the mental resources and the time available to take this all the way to the courts. He does not, and will not want the hassle.

clutton_2

what result do you actually want ? what financial loss have you suffered up to now) from his awful behaviour ? if there is no financial loss you cannot take him to court for money. There is no "body" to whom you can complain and get anything done about his behaviour now that you have left. Had you complained to your local council HMO officer when you were still there, they may have helped - on the other hand he may just have given you notice to quit had you done so. Read EAgerlearners thread re gettin your deposit back, then, move on with your life and forget about him.

wayoflife

Stu_Dent wrote: »

Hey everyone,

After moving into my rented student accomodation in September I, as well as my housemates, have been appalled by the conduct of our landlord. In the first term he would turn up unannounced once a week and his agents would let themselves into our property as and when they felt like it. To add to this he has been fairly abusive in emails, insulting each member of the house at one point or another.

We are now looking to make a formal complaint about him to various organisations but are not sure who exactly we should be contacting.

If anyone has any information please let me know!

Thank you for your help

Stu:)

From my understanding they have to give you 48 hours notice to enter and inspect the premesis.

I know you have left, but this doesnt mean you cant complain. As far as deposit is concerned, if he hasnt said anything within 30 days of you moving out, he has no case, you are entitled to a full refund of the deposit.


Find out if they are regulated by the financial ombudsman service. If they are then you can make a formal complaint through them. This holds alot of waiting, and indeed it is a free service for you. the estate agent however will be charged (around £500 plus VAT I think) therefore they will flap and usually give you what you want because of this.

You MUST sent a formal complaint in writing via recorded delivery (first clas is £1.04) and keep the slip and a copy of the letter.
If you havnt heard from them in 8 weeks or you are unhappy then you can refer it to the ombudsman. Make sure you state in your letter that you will insturct the ombudsman if you are unhappy, and state what you want to be satisfied.

Stu_Dent

clutton wrote: »

what result do you actually want ? what financial loss have you suffered up to now) from his awful behaviour ? if there is no financial loss you cannot take him to court for money. There is no "body" to whom you can complain and get anything done about his behaviour now that you have left. Had you complained to your local council HMO officer when you were still there, they may have helped - on the other hand he may just have given you notice to quit had you done so. Read EAgerlearners thread re gettin your deposit back, then, move on with your life and forget about him.

Honestly, I am not looking for money or anything like that. I have not incurred financial loss because of his behaviour, just a lot of stress and hassle.

The reason I wanted to complain is because I feel that no one deserves the behaviour that he has inflicted on my housemates and I in the last year, and therefore I'd like to warn others about him if possible, somehow.

I'd also like to ask everyone whether the onus is on him in court to prove he gave us something or on us to prove that he didnt?

thanks everyone!

noname123_2

How did you find the house? I found my student house through the university i went to and when there were problems I went back to the university and got them removed from the university's list of approved landlords which meant they really struggled to find someone the year after