Landlord took away faccilities

baconbuttieman

Hi guys, i hope you can help.

My landlord has neglected his property for years, we moved in 14 years ago, any way, our outhouse which is attached to the kitchen and forms part of the building, this out house houses our washer, dryer and freezer, the roof has been leaking badly for some time, he has been aware of this since 2013,
Our landlord has now decommissioned the room and told us not to use it, only as a fire escape, he has cut the electrics off so no electrics are there, he will repair it as a when he can afford it, we now have to use a laundry and re locate the freezer as there is no where else to locate the washer.

I am looking for a rent abatement due to the inconvenience and loss of this room, plus help toward the cost of laundrette expenses will cripple us.
Can we actually ask for a reduction in rent?? if so, does any one know where i can find this piece of legislation or ruling

I am looking for the specific ruling so i can send that to him
Please help

thesaint

You can ask for whatever you like.
I doubt you will find any legislation to back you up.

I guess you are paying under the going rate, so are already "compensated".

baconbuttieman

what makes you say we are paing UNDER the going rate

xylophone

http://www.compactlaw.co.uk/free-legal-information/public-housing/disrepair.html

Can a landlord legally "decommission" a room?

Have you tried Shelter/CAB for advice?

chewmylegoff

I would just move in your situation rather than argue about rent reductions; it doesn't sound likely that the LL will ever fix it given your description of his past failure to carry out maintenance. Hand your notice in and move to somewhere with the facilities you require and hopefully a better landlord.

freeisgood

Is it not possible to position the washer in a safe drier part of the room and use it with an extension lead from the kitchen. Packing the lead up after use?

agrinnall

baconbuttieman wrote: »

what makes you say we are paing UNDER the going rate

Because anyone living in a substandard property for 14 years would surely only do so if the rent was at a favourable level.

baconbuttieman

agrinnall wrote: »

Because anyone living in a substandard property for 14 years would surely only do so if the rent was at a favourable level.

we have been happy here, we pay the going price for our rent, we pay on time, every time, no arrears at all

baconbuttieman

freeisgood wrote: »

Is it not possible to position the washer in a safe drier part of the room and use it with an extension lead from the kitchen. Packing the lead up after use?

Thats not a ideal solution, we have been told to Stop using the room unless its for an emergency escape route

baconbuttieman

chewmylegoff wrote: »

I would just move in your situation rather than argue about rent reductions; it doesn't sound likely that the LL will ever fix it given your description of his past failure to carry out maintenance. Hand your notice in and move to somewhere with the facilities you require and hopefully a better landlord.

understood, but why the heck should we, we are not in the wrong, he is

Annisele

OP's other thread gives some background.

Ultimately, I don't think you and your LL are going to see eye-to-eye on this, and you'd be better to move. At least if you are the one choosing to move then you're in control of timescales.