Problems with landlord, help please.

ripplyuk

My roof has been leaking for two years now. It has flooded the room and storeroom and caused a lot of damage to my belongings. Whenever it's raining, I have to get up every couple of hours during the night to empty the buckets and mop up, and it's really getting me down. Sometimes I'm so tired, I'm not even sure what day it is.

Now there is thick mould on the ceiling and the lightbulb in that room blows every few weeks so I think it's affecting the electrics. The water from the leak has previously poured over the fuse board but I don't think it has recently.

I've spoken to my landlord repeatedly and he has tried some minor repairs himself but they have never worked. I think he needs a professional but he won't pay for that. Today, I told him that I can't cope anymore and need to know if he is going to fix it at all, otherwise I'll have to move out. He got very angry, telling me I can "F*** off then". He was really shouting, right in my face. He knows I get some housing benefit so he said the taxpayer is paying for me so I've no right to demand anything.

I just started crying and I don't know what to do. Was I unreasonable? I know I'm meant to give him reasonable time to repair. I don't want to leave as I've lived here since I was a teenager. I can't find any houses close to this area that will accept pets so I'd have to give them up which would break my heart. Also, they all want a reference from my current landlord and I've no chance of getting one now.

knightstyle

Feel so sorry for you. I am not an expert, I am sure people will be along soon with constructive replies.
First, get in touch with Shelter, they can give good advice, make sure all your dealings with the landlord are in writing with recorded delivery.
Was your deposit in one of the schemes? If you don't know ask the landlord for details.
Have you changed the locks? If not do it now and only let the landlord in when you think it necessary.

Marktheshark

Use the condition of the house to up priority points with the council, mention the threats as well, you will have a better chance of social housing.

PasturesNew

ripplyuk wrote: »

Was I unreasonable?

No, he's just a cant. Oops, seem to have spelt that wrong!

Mallotum_X

Surely after this long you would be better off leaving.

ripplyuk

PasturesNew wrote: »

No, he's just a cant. Oops, seem to have spelt that wrong!

That made me smile .

Thanks for the replies. I haven't put anything at all in writing to him as I know if I do, he'll evict me. He doesn't like anything 'official' and he would make my life hell if I did. He doesn't have a key to my house as I had new locks put in years ago and he didn't want a key when I offered it. My deposit was never put in a scheme as it was years before the schemes existed. I can forget about getting it back.

[Deleted User]

I had a similiar problem - and with getting up to change buckets!

I did delay telling my LL about the problem because he just didn't do repairs and was quite scary. Once part of the ceiling fell in, I knew I had to report it.

He did repair it (quickly because he now wants to sell the place). I believe he was able to claim for the repair from his insurance. The LL did initially say I would have to pay for part of the repairs because I'd delayed reporting the problem, but once the builder came round and said there were two rotting sets of boards (flat roof), and it had been defective for at least 10 years, that problems went away.

I'd suggest that all communication with your LL from now on be via letter or with a witness present if you can do this. What you are asking for is certainly not unreasonable. The length of time you have been waiting is most definitely well beyond what is reasonable.

The fact that you receive some of your rent via HB most definitely does not alter your right to a warm, safe, non leaking property. He has been very happy to have a tenant receiving HB for the last two years, obviously he knows this and has done all along. Its obviously quite ok for a LL to be paid by the government for a shoddy property?

Is there any chance you could apply for social housing? If he serves notice, and you have children (no idea if you do), you should have some rights to social housing but will have to fight hard to get it given the social housing shortage.

G_M

Stop 'speaking to him repeatedly'. Always, ALWAYS report problems in writing at the address provided. That means a letter sent to the address "for the serving of notices" on the landlord. If there is no such address provided, you can stop paying rent (Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 section 48).

Your letter should describe the problem highlight any health issues, list each and every previous occassion you've reported this (specifying date, whether email, phone, whatever) and what work has been done already, when and with hat result.

Keep a copy. Use 1st class post, do not send recorded delivery - he might not sign for it!

For advice on repairing issues, read:

Shelter (Repairs in private rented homes)

If health is at risk, ring Enviornmental Health at the council, or the local council private tenancy officer.

ripplyuk

I've been looking for a new house but can't find anywhere that will take pets and no reference. The other problem is that I have some long term health issues and have carers who live nearby. I don't want to lose them. I really don't know what I'd do without them and one of them doesn't drive.

I've been on the housing waiting list for 8 years now and still haven't been offered anything. I haven't told them about the leaking roof because if they say anything to the landlord, I'd be scared living here, knowing his temper.

G_M

ripplyuk wrote: »

My deposit was never put in a scheme as it was years before the schemes existed. I can forget about getting it back.

1) what date did your original tenancy start?
2) Was it a fixed term? how long was it?
3) what happened when the fixed term ended?

If your deposit is not registered, the LL will be unable to use a S21 Notice to evict you (whatever answers you give above) unless he returnes the deposit first (plus you may be able to claim a penalty from him.

Read:

* Deposits (payment, protection and return)

ripplyuk

The tenancy began in 2001. It was very informal. I gave him a month's rent in advance and the same amount as a deposit. No rent book or tenancy agreement or anything like that. I've just paid the rent month to month ever since.