Landlord took away faccilities

SerialRenter

baconbuttieman wrote: »

he has told us we are NOT to use this room, only for a fire escape etc. so yes the room has been taken away from us

And if he's in Australia how is he going to know?

I'd check to make sure the leaks not in any danger of shorting out the white goods. If it's ok, turn it back on.

If the LA say they're coming round for an inspection, disconnect it again.

princeofpounds

I typed a long reply to the OP and lost it. In brief...

You have to right to a rent reduction.

You do have a right to proper repairs, which will make the space usable again.

You can enforce that right in a couple of ways*, but if you are on a short-term contract it will probably just lead to a retaliatory eviction at the end of the fixed term.

So often the easiest thing to do is to move, in practical terms.

* those ways being

1) an environmental health inspection - slow, bureaucratic, but ultimately effective for some things.

2) tenant's right to repair as per Lee Parker vs Izzet 1971 - quick results, but requires funding by you, good evidence trail, and enough time to 'earn' the funding back by not paying rent.

RAS

OP - are you sure that the LL has the required HMRC certificate regarding the rent and tax?

45002

Annisele wrote: »

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.

For Reference ...

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?64195-landlord-cut-off-electrics

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?432302-Landlord-can-he-do-these-things

xylophone

You seem very fond of this property. Is there any chance that the owner would sell it to you?

In view of its condition, you should be able to negotiate a low price?

You could then do it up yourselves and be content?

chewmylegoff

baconbuttieman wrote: »

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

Because your LL is providing you with a bad service which is probably only going to get worse and therefore you should take your business elsewhere. You could stubbornly insist on living there, demand a rent reduction and traipse down to the laundrette every time your jeans start to smell- eventually you might win a moral victory, but it sounds like you'd be happier if you just moved.