Help! Missold Tenancy - Where do we stand?

custardcream

Hi,

We're due to move into a house tomorrow that we have only seen when it was halfway through being renovated and full of builders. All along we have VERBALLY been led to believe that it was being refurbished to a high standard. This was by the builders who work for the owners - they showed us around as the letting agent managing it was running late. We've never met the owner.

My husband signed the tenancy agreement at Agents and paid them £2k deposit and first month's rent - but when we went to the house it has been left in an appalling state.

Paint has literally been slapped on walls with seemingly no care and attention). Honestly splattered everywhere.

The lino in the kitchen which is ripped and stained remains when we were told it would be replaced. The electrics all look dodgy and old - the boiler is run off an extension lead, (although we have an electrical safety certificate)?!

There are gaping holes through to foundations in the back of the understairs cupboard meaning it's damp and there is also a gaping hole in a storage cupboard upstairs through the attic to the roof. This is an inner city area where vermin is rife and with no physical barrier - they will just move in.

The list goes on - the bannister is wobbly, there are electrics on display at the overhead lights, the plug is stuck in the bathroom meaning the sink is useless, the garden is filled with innumerable bags of rubbish.

Some of this like the poor paint job is less important than other stuff but it's the principle of it all. We've been misled and lied to.

These are professional letters - I'm honestly stunned that they think this is acceptable. Even if this was a student house I'd be appalled but this is a family home with small children.

I've spoken to the managing agents who are going to speak to them but she also seemed shocked we were so upset. Where do we stand as we've signed on the dotted line? If we had known it would be left like this there is no way we would have agreed to the tenancy.

We really just want to walk away but letting fees aside we've paid removal fees, new contracts for broadband and telephone, etc etc.

Just livid. And heartbroken. :mad::(

Guest101

have you actually spoken to the LL about this?


And what (if anything) does your contract say about any works?

Pixie5740

I understand that you are angry and this isn't the new home you were hoping for but you haven't been missold anything. You will be paying rent for exclusive use of the property which is what you will get. Never ever rely on promises of how a property will be when your tenancy starts.

When you move in tomorrow go through the inventory with a fine tooth comb and dispute anything you disagree with. Take lots of photos.

Then write (ink, paper, stamp) to your landlord at the address for the serving of notices given in your tenancy agreement detailing everything that needs repaired. Keep your letter to the point and don't get emotional.

davidmcn

Unless you know otherwise, I would presume that the landlord also hasn't seen the state of the property and would also want to get these things sorted.

thesaint

Maybe your definition is different to theirs?
As you went by what the builders told you, I don't think you have a case.

I am surprised you have left it to the eleventh hour before having a another look at the property you have spent so much time and money on.

csgohan4

Don't trust EA, if their mouths move their lying.


You should never rent somewhere you have not seen the place or at least seen the finished product.




Verbal agreements do not count and you must get everything in writing.


I guess you have to chalk this one down to experience. I've had my fair share of dodgy agents and run down rentals.

Kynthia

How bad is it and do you have photos? If you don't move in or accept the keys then the tenancy doesn't begin and you just have a contract to begin a tenancy. Therefore you could sue for your money back and any costs you incur finding somewhere new at short notice, and the landlord could sue you for their losses at not having you pay rent from tomorrow and the costs in finding a new tenant at short notice. It would be up to a judge as to whether you had a good enough reason to not follow through with the contract and tgat could depend on your evidence.

G_M

Write a letter listing all the repairs, faults, improvements required. Send it by post to the landlords named on the tenancy agreement, at the address provided, and ask for a timescale for fixing the items. Send a copy to the agent. If the adress for the LL is c/o the agent, still send 2 letters to that address, one to the LL & one to the agent.

Be polite & factual, not be rude or threatening.

Keep your wording to a minimum - a short introductory paragraph then a numbered list.

[Deleted User]

Personally, I'd take photo's, write to the LL listing in writing all repair needs and suggest either a voluntary surrender of your tenancy and a refund of all monies paid or you will be reporting the house to environmental health or just say you need confirmation when these repairs will be made. Have a list of repairs and a column headed date of proposed repair.

Maybe, just maybe, the LL will realise you aren't going to stop asking for repairs to be fixed and will sort out a refund of the monies..,or the repairs will be completed.

Problem is you have, I am afraid, left it a bit late to cancel all your arrangements and the move.

But to be honest, rubbish can be removed, if unpleasant, wobbly bannisters can be fixed, paint spills scrubbed or scraped off. A plug can be unstuck, the gap in the cupboards may not be damp unless you can smell it. Just because its an inner city property and has a hole, it doesn't follow that rodents will automatically follow. It is a way in, but that it will be used is not a certainty. Particulary if rubbish is removed.

Its not what you expected but well, u know how to get what you want. Don't pay until you get it.

And these 'decorators' were paid. Doesn't imply professional. Cleaned up after one set and I could have done a better job with a blindfold on and one arm behind my back. They were still paid though.