Taking Ages for Landlord/Agent to Fix Broken Stuff

RafaelF

Hello,

I have broken heaters in my flat for almost 3 months, and a washing machine that stopped working 2 weeks ago.

I contacted the office responsible for repairs via email or telephone many times, sometimes without receiving any reply whatsoever, other times hearing they're going to call me back and never doing that, and so on...

I thought maybe I should try to contact the landlord directly, but I'm not sure this is the best course of action. Do you have any advice for me? I would really appreciate it.

Many thanks.

BitterAndTwisted

Well, ultimately it's the landlord who makes the decision on what repairs are carried and by whom. It all depends on whether the landlord has signed a full repairing contract with the agent, if any expenditure needs to be confirmed by the landlord first, or the landlord intends to instruct their own contractors.

The delay in hearing back from the agent suggests that the landlord has either not responded to the agent yet or is not willing to have the repairs undertaken.

I would advise you to stop contacting the agent by phone or email and put pen to paper. One copy direct the landlord and another to the agent.

mgarl10024

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I would advise you to stop contacting the agent by phone or email and put pen to paper.

Consider sending registered?

BitterAndTwisted

Nope. First-class mail retaining proof-of-postage at the post office. Recorded delivery/signed-for mail can be refused at the door-step or not collected from the sorting office, therefore you have no proof that it's been received.

RAS

mgarl10024 wrote: »

Consider sending registered?

No, as it is easy for the LL to decline to sign for things/or even worse the postie only delivers when the house is empty.

Two copies send from different post offices, with free certficates for posting. Would be considered serving of notice as far as courts are concerned.