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Am I being unreasonable?

It seems that since I moved into my new flat 2 months ago I have done nothing but complain. I'm the sort of person who will complain if I feel I've had a bad deal or poor service but not off the cuff - I like to think I'm patient and give people a chance.

My flat is part of a new gated development set on a riverside next to a popular footpath. Being new there were a few snags when I moved in. That was two months ago, and they still haven't been resolved.

On a basic level the main toilet fails to flush without several attempts. The flush unit for the second toilet actually fell off the wall yesterday - I see that it was held up by only one screw out of the 8 or so that it is supposed to have. The wooden floor throughout the property is scratched and marked from the builders, despite being new, and many of these are not listed on the inventory report and this concerns me as there is a clause in the contract that states that I should take care of the floor (I informed the landlord immediately).

I have windows with no handles that I cannot open, and had no curtains or blinds in the property until last week (there is a clause in the contract that states the landlord will fit these).

As I am on the ground floor and right next to the footpath not having curtains was a real pain as anyone could look into the property which has full glass windows. There was no way to put anything temporary up.

Then there's the fact that this is a gated community. I have a private terrace area which is gated but there is no way to shut or lock the gate as this has not been completed. I have small kids so this is important. We then have the communal grounds which are also gated. However there are no main gates up and no indication as to when these will be up. This means that anyone can enter the communal area and even enter my private terrace. Without these gates my insurance is effectively void. The development is quite unique and many people take the opportunity to peek in as they walk by; a few weeks ago I found people looking into my lounge from my own terrace who had entered from outside.

I then received notification that no one in the development is permitted to put anything on their own terrace. These are to remain empty at all times. I wasn't aware of this and it means that I am not able to store bikes or even put washing out there.

To top it all last night a metal hatch cover in one of the bedrooms fell onto the floor leaving wires hanging. It was clear that the reason it fell was because it was very poorly fitted. The property is marketed as a luxury apartment and it has a rental price to match that, but I just have the feeling that it was built to look good only and underneath it all it's very poor quality.

I have never met the landlord but have communicated via email and he has always been very nice but the building company (Redrow) have simply done nothing to resolve any of the problems. it's almost as if they've washed their hands of it. The only time they did do anything was a few weeks ago when they came in and changed the door of the freezer, then left the freezer turned off so that I had to throw away more than £100 worth of food.

I'm almost to the point where I want to tell the landlord that I want out. Am I shouting about nothing or am I being reasonable?

Comments

  • If that low standard is deemed to be "luxury", then what on earth is deemed to be "standard" standard iyswim?

    NO, you aren't being unreasonable.

    It does seem to be the case that one of the first things a genuinely unreasonable builder/etc/etc employs to try and discourage people from expecting "normal" standards is to try and make them feel like they are being "unreasonable".

    Don't fall for it. Keep your confidence up. You are in the right here.
  • lessonlearned
    lessonlearned Posts: 13,337 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    No. You are not being unreasonable, your landlord is being negligent.

    He bought the apartment from Redrow it's up,to him to get the snagging done and get these issues dealt with.

    He is a fool. Quite apart from his legal obligation to provide you with a home that is safe and fit for purpose, he is not protecting his investment.

    Those hanging wires are dangerous. Contact your landlord immediately, send him a photo.

    Then make a complete and full inventory and do a proper snag list, taking lots of photos.

    Then send copies to your landlord, his letting agent, and the builder.

    Wait a week. Then if you have no satisfaction, chase, chase, and chase again - daily if necessary.
  • barbiedoll
    barbiedoll Posts: 5,328 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Who gave you notification that you can't put anything on your terrace? Was it the landlord or the owners of the development?

    I visit lots of luxury, gated developments which sound similar to yours and there are always items on the terraces/balconies, including washing, bicycles, toys etc etc, this seems to be an unreasonable clause. What about planters or tubs of flowers? It's ridiculous, if it is part of your flat, you should be able to use it as you wish (within reason obviously.)

    The landlord also needs to contact the developer to find out exactly when your apartment will indeed be "gated". I've seen apartment blocks that have been occupied before the gates are fully operational but I've never seen a gated development without gates!

    You need to be moaning more, not less!
    "I may be many things but not being indiscreet isn't one of them"
  • I received a general notification from the block management a couple of days ago to remind everyone that it is not permitted to place anything on the terrace. It emphasises that decorative and tasteful pot plants are acceptable if approved and in exceptional circumstances furniture may be permitted. Under no circumstances was there to be anything else on balconies or terraces (toys, bikes and washing were singled out as definite no no's).

    I have never been informed of this.

    My tenancy agreement also doesn't state that this is a gated community - although it is marketed as such and this was highlighted as a specific feature of the property.

    I feel I may need to go through the property and and document everything and risk getting on the wrong side of the landlord.
  • Thrugelmir
    Thrugelmir Posts: 89,546 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I received a general notification from the block management a couple of days ago to remind everyone that it is not permitted to place anything on the terrace. It emphasises that decorative and tasteful pot plants are acceptable if approved and in exceptional circumstances furniture may be permitted. Under no circumstances was there to be anything else on balconies or terraces (toys, bikes and washing were singled out as definite no no's).

    I have never been informed of this.

    Is the development complete and all units sold?

    Not unusual for new developments to have restrictive covenants. That lapse with time.
  • Most new builds, whether flats or houses, will have covenants which are designed to protect the appearance of the development, for example no caravans on drives etc

    In a complex of apartments a no washing on balconies rule is common.

    The covenants are vigorously enforced whilst the builders are on site, but less so once the development is complete.

    Covenants usually have a time limit, they are not usually in perpetuity. Typically a covenant will be for approx 6 years.
  • Better_Days
    Better_Days Posts: 2,742 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    Hello LL :hello:

    Haven't seen you around for a while - how are things going?
    It is a good idea to be alone in a garden at dawn or dark so that all its shy presences may haunt you and possess you in a reverie of suspended thought.
    James Douglas
  • lessonlearned
    lessonlearned Posts: 13,337 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    I'm doing fine thank you. Hope you are well and thriving. :rotfl:
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