Useless landlord and noisy neighbours from every direction!!!

tubie22

Hello all,

My partner and I live in a rented fully furnished 2 bed 2 bath (ensuite) apartment and have done for 3 years and 2 months. Since we moved in we have had various issues.

1. Incredibly noisy neighbour living beside us, many complaints made to landlord and police, also council, no outcome or resolution from landlord
2. Relatively noisy neighbour living directly below us( And below and one across), complaints made to landlord and police, no outcome or resolutfrom landlord (BOTH OF THESE PROPERTIES SHARE THE SAME LANDLORD AS MYSELF!!!)
3. Ensuite toilet broken since December 2013, landlord made aware on numerous occasions, no outcome, ensuite cannot be used now and is starting to smell musty for some reason.
4. Dishwasher (integrated into kitchen) broken around November 2013, landlord notified on numerous occasions, especially around July/August 2014 as my baby boy was she October and I wanted it fixed for him arriving. Landlord sent 'a man' ( he showed no plumbing identification and had no tools) who literally opened dishwasher, looked, clicked his tongue and said nothing could be done and he would tell landlord himself as he was going to their house to see them anyway. Nothing further has been done, dishwasher now smells.
5. As of Saturday 18th April 2015, noisy neighbour up and across one, partner went to inspect and looks like it could be squatters, original door ripped out and a piece of wood with a handle in its place, landlord notified, told us in more or less words that they didn't believe us and would get aomeone else to check first before anything was done, told today if I want to make a complaint I need to have it in writing and get the neighbours of the noisy flat upstairs to sign it.
6. Communal postbox area, our postbox broken by Postman shoving stuff in, told landlord, asked us how we knew it was the postman, could it have been a thief. A thief who leaves all the post there? Landlord said they would check Cctv partner checked, no cctv at post area. Post box still broken 3 weeks on
7. Communal fire escape beside our flat, filled with cigarette butts, rubbish and someone urinting on the walls and carpet.

Surely something can be done about all of this? We are just sick of contacting the landlord when nothing ever gets done. I don't want my family and young son living here anymore, we are house viewing but until we have deposit saved we have no choice but to live here.

Any advice how we can deal with these issues?

Many thanks

pmlindyloo

tubie22 wrote: »

Hello all,

My partner and I live in a rented fully furnished 2 bed 2 bath (ensuite) apartment and have done for 3 years and 2 months. Since we moved in we have had various issues.

1. Incredibly noisy neighbour living beside us, many complaints made to landlord and police, also council, no outcome or resolution from landlord
2. Relatively noisy neighbour living directly below us( And below and one across), complaints made to landlord and police, no outcome or resolutfrom landlord (BOTH OF THESE PROPERTIES SHARE THE SAME LANDLORD AS MYSELF!!!)
3. Ensuite toilet broken since December 2013, landlord made aware on numerous occasions, no outcome, ensuite cannot be used now and is starting to smell musty for some reason.
4. Dishwasher (integrated into kitchen) broken around November 2013, landlord notified on numerous occasions, especially around July/August 2014 as my baby boy was she October and I wanted it fixed for him arriving. Landlord sent 'a man' ( he showed no plumbing identification and had no tools) who literally opened dishwasher, looked, clicked his tongue and said nothing could be done and he would tell landlord himself as he was going to their house to see them anyway. Nothing further has been done, dishwasher now smells.
5. As of Saturday 18th April 2015, noisy neighbour up and across one, partner went to inspect and looks like it could be squatters, original door ripped out and a piece of wood with a handle in its place, landlord notified, told us in more or less words that they didn't believe us and would get aomeone else to check first before anything was done, told today if I want to make a complaint I need to have it in writing and get the neighbours of the noisy flat upstairs to sign it.
6. Communal postbox area, our postbox broken by Postman shoving stuff in, told landlord, asked us how we knew it was the postman, could it have been a thief. A thief who leaves all the post there? Landlord said they would check Cctv partner checked, no cctv at post area. Post box still broken 3 weeks on
7. Communal fire escape beside our flat, filled with cigarette butts, rubbish and someone urinting on the walls and carpet.

Surely something can be done about all of this? We are just sick of contacting the landlord when nothing ever gets done. I don't want my family and young son living here anymore, we are house viewing but until we have deposit saved we have no choice but to live here.

Any advice how we can deal with these issues?

Many thanks

I will go through all the usual - have you notified the landlord in writing about these issues?

Google repairs in privately rented property Shelter for the correct procedure to get repairs done.

As regards the noisy neighbours you have done everything you can. It is a notoriously difficult issue to deal with and some people have spent years trying to sort things out.

And, of course, you have an option. Find another place to rent

I know it is frustrating and I am sorry that there is no quick remedy.

Life is too short to spend it sorting out lazy landlords/noisy neighbours. It is a no win situation and we see threads about similar things day after day.

Move on.

tubie22

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I will go through all the usual - have you notified the landlord in writing about these issues?

Google repairs in privately rented property Shelter for the correct procedure to get repairs done.

As regards the noisy neighbours you have done everything you can. It is a notoriously difficult issue to deal with and some people have spent years trying to sort things out.

And, of course, you have an option. Find another place to rent

I know it is frustrating and I am sorry that there is no quick remedy.

Life is too short to spend it sorting out lazy landlords/noisy neighbours. It is a no win situation and we see threads about similar things day after day.

Move on.

Just horrible to think of the amount of money the landlord has made out of us over the years for doing absolutely nothing. Sickens me.

Pixie5740

tubie22 wrote: »

1. Incredibly noisy neighbour living beside us, many complaints made to landlord and police, also council, no outcome or resolution from landlord

2. Relatively noisy neighbour living directly below us( And below and one across), complaints made to landlord and police, no outcome or resolutfrom landlord (BOTH OF THESE PROPERTIES SHARE THE SAME LANDLORD AS MYSELF!!!) [/QUOTE]

What kind of noise are you talking about and at what times? General day-to-day living noise or practicing the drums at 3am?

tubie22 wrote: »

3. Ensuite toilet broken since December 2013, landlord made aware on numerous occasions, no outcome, ensuite cannot be used now and is starting to smell musty for some reason.

Follow Shelter's process for escalating repairs.

Repairs in Private Rented Homes

tubie22 wrote: »

4. Dishwasher (integrated into kitchen) broken around November 2013, landlord notified on numerous occasions, especially around July/August 2014 as my baby boy was she October and I wanted it fixed for him arriving. Landlord sent 'a man' ( he showed no plumbing identification and had no tools) who literally opened dishwasher, looked, clicked his tongue and said nothing could be done and he would tell landlord himself as he was going to their house to see them anyway. Nothing further has been done, dishwasher now smells.

In your tenancy agreement does it say is responsible for appliances such as the dishwasher? It could be that they are your responsibility even if your LL provides them.

If your LL is responsible follow process given above.

What kind of identification do you think a plumber would carry around with him/her?

tubie22 wrote: »

5. As of Saturday 18th April 2015, noisy neighbour up and across one, partner went to inspect and looks like it could be squatters, original door ripped out and a piece of wood with a handle in its place, landlord notified, told us in more or less words that they didn't believe us and would get aomeone else to check first before anything was done, told today if I want to make a complaint I need to have it in writing and get the neighbours of the noisy flat upstairs to sign it.

Does your LL own the property with the "squatters"?

tubie22 wrote: »

6. Communal postbox area, our postbox broken by Postman shoving stuff in, told landlord, asked us how we knew it was the postman, could it have been a thief. A thief who leaves all the post there? Landlord said they would check Cctv partner checked, no cctv at post area. Post box still broken 3 weeks on

It doesn't really matter who broke the postbox. If it's a communal post box then the freeholder/management company should get it fixed but it has to be reported by the leaseholder(s).

Are you still able to get your post?

tubie22 wrote: »

7. Communal fire escape beside our flat, filled with cigarette butts, rubbish and someone urinting on the walls and carpet.

Sounds disgusting. Again possible one for the management company/freeholder.

tubie22 wrote: »

Surely something can be done about all of this? We are just sick of contacting the landlord when nothing ever gets done. I don't want my family and young son living here anymore, we are house viewing but until we have deposit saved we have no choice but to live here.

Simplest thing would be for you to move especially as the anti-social behaviour is outwith your LL's control. In the meantime try escalating the repairs to your LL and keep saving. Have you got anything you can sell? Are you claiming all benefits (child and WTC) that you are entitled to? Over-time? Second job?

tubie22

Pixie5740 wrote: »

2. Relatively noisy neighbour living directly below us( And below and one across), complaints made to landlord and police, no outcome or resolutfrom landlord (BOTH OF THESE PROPERTIES SHARE THE SAME LANDLORD AS MYSELF!!!)

What kind of noise are you talking about and at what times? General day-to-day living noise or practicing the drums at 3am?



Follow Shelter's process for escalating repairs.

Repairs in Private Rented Homes



In your tenancy agreement does it say is responsible for appliances such as the dishwasher? It could be that they are your responsibility even if your LL provides them.

If your LL is responsible follow process given above.

What kind of identification do you think a plumber would carry around with him/her?



Does your LL own the property with the "squatters"?




It doesn't really matter who broke the postbox. If it's a communal post box then the freeholder/management company should get it fixed but it has to be reported by the leaseholder(s).

Are you still able to get your post?



Sounds disgusting. Again possible one for the management company/freeholder.



Simplest thing would be for you to move especially as the anti-social behaviour is outwith your LL's control. In the meantime try escalating the repairs to your LL and keep saving. Have you got anything you can sell? Are you claiming all benefits (child and WTC) that you are entitled to? Over-time? Second job?[/QUOTE]

Loud trance music from 9pm- 3pm next day. Landlord stated they would fix dishwasher but then nothing was done. We are getting out post as other half put some parcel tape on the box to keep it closed, landlord told us if no proof it was postman then we as tenants have to pay to have it fixed. Management company notified of all issues but nothing has been done in the 3 years we've been here.

pmlindyloo

The landlord can evict noisy neighbours using a Section 8 and ground 14. This can be done giving the tenant just 2 weeks notice.

https://www.tenancyagreementservice.co.uk/section-8-notice-to-quit

However, it is at the judge's discretion as to whether to issue a possession order and involves gathering evidence and proving that negotiation has been used.

Most landlords cannot be bothered to go down this route - too much hassle.

AdrianC

There is only one way to deal with the issues. Move.

If you're still saving the deposit to buy, you're not viewing yet. So move to somewhere else rented in the meantime.

Or, of course, continue to live with it as you have for over three years...

GwylimT

Issues with the building are down to the management company/freeholder, not individual landlords.

What does your lease say about appliances? Some specifically say they will not be repaired/replaced.

There isn't a lot that can be done about noisy tenants, have you arranged for enviro health to do a sound test?

dancingfairy

Are you saving for a deposit for a new rental place or to buy a place?
I'd look at moving asap to be honest as it sounds horrible and the landlord obviously isn't going to do anything.
If you are struggling to get a deposit for rental together do you have any bits and bobs you can car boot or ebay? Will the local council help with a bond on another property?
Can you get a loan from a credit union or similar?
I hope you find somewhere much better.
df

tubie22

Thanks for all your replies.
Contract says landlords must carry out all repairs, if we carry it out ourselves we are liable to be fined. However just asked landlord about postbox and dishwasher (again) and was told I have to sort the postbox put myself and pay for it and just completely ignored my concerns about the dishwasher.

Also just noticed we are 4 months overdue on gas safety check. Should landlord have sent someone out automatically or am I supposed to let landlord know we need it done?

Saving for another rental as we would need deposit plus 1 month up front plus money for furnishings (sofa and chairs, fridge freezer, bed, cooker).
We feel really angry at paying out quite expensive rent every month to live here when nothing is ever done for us and we can't enjoy a quiet weekend with our son due to neighbours.

tubie22

AdrianC wrote: »

There is only one way to deal with the issues. Move.

If you're still saving the deposit to buy, you're not viewing yet. So move to somewhere else rented in the meantime.

Or, of course, continue to live with it as you have for over three years...

Haven't had a dependant for the last 3 years though. We want the best possible environment for our son and this clearly isn't it. Not everyone has a spare couple of grand floating about to just simply move somewhere else and buy brand new furniture.