(Student Housing) Considering stopping paying my rent due to issues. Consequences?

clairesilverspar

I'm afraid neither of the "choices" you have laid out are very good ideas. You cannot withhold paying your rent without serious consequences, as you would be in breach of your end of the contract you signed. Also skipping out and allowing the landlord to approach your parent(and possibly the other tenants, depending on the type of tenancy you are on)for unpaid rent is a terrible idea. Have you actually spoken to him about this? I’m pretty sure he would be against being taken to court, though the hassle he’d go through before it even getting to court would probably be bad enough.

Shelter has a good amount of advice, and is a brilliant resource for learning what your rights are in these kinds of situations. There is a set procedure for going about withholding rent. You can’t just decide not to pay. Check shelters advice pages - I can't post a link I'm afraid.

As previous posters have suggested, the mould needs treating. There may be a leak/damp issue which the landlord needs to knowabout/treat, but you can keep the mould at bay yourself using various bleach sprays etc – just make sure to ok the use with the landlord first, so that any damage to walls etc isn’t coming out of your deposit.

Your first step should be to check your contract. Send a letter through the post (you can get free proof of postage from the postoffice) to the address given in your contract for the serving of notices. Inform the landlord of the mould problems and invite him to come and inspect the problem himself to discuss what he will do about it. The Shelter website has examples of such letters, and explains what to do if this step does notwork. Keep a copy of any letters you send.

With regards to the loss of the living room for it being turned into a bedroom, again this would be in your contract. The contract states what is provided. I don’t know whether losing a shared space such as the living room would be a breach, you’d need better advice on this than I can give. It might be worth speaking to the local council to check he's sticking to appropriate HMO regulations and is registered with the council (if they require it).

You can also help yourself. Mould is exacerbated by humidity and condensation. Make sure you are properly ventilating the room (newer windows will have an option to keep the window locked allowing airflow), don’t dry washing on airers in a mouldy room, dryer pipes need to be venting outside.When you take a shower, open the window. You can also use a dehumidifier, but if you've not got long on your tenancy left, I can imagine this wouldn't be something you'd want to stump up for. If there is mould on the curtains (and they belong to the landlord) then ask him to replace/treat them.

Don’t just avoid the issue and leave your dad to take the flak. Unpaid rent has bigger repercussions than you’d think, and even if your dad cannot afford to pay it back, you’d kill his (and your) credit rating. There could also be problems in the future for you being able to rent. Do you think your dad would willingly be a guarantor for you again after you skipped out on this place? I wouldn’t.

Anonymous44

I maybe skipped details in regards to my Dad:
- He is already declared bankrupt, he has no assets or money. He is mentally and physically unfit and is constantly in and out of hospital. He has state benefit (which can't be used as debt) and has frequent debt collection notices where he failed to turn up to court and he just laughs it off because he knows in this sense he is untouchable.

This is why I'm comfortable with the debt being chased up with my Dad. He has actually suggested to me to do it this way.

Pixie5740

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree then.

Nothing you have described is justification for withholding your rent. If you think there are repair issues and that the damp isn't caused by your lifestyle then write (ink, paper, stamp, get proof of postage) to your landlord about it.

If you do decide to withhold your rent then expect to be taken to court for arrears and forget about a reference. If you have a tenancy agreement in your name only then this will only impact you and your guarantor (the landlord too obviously) but if you have a joint and several tenancy agreement with the others living there they will pay the price for you not paying your rent.

fairy_lights

Anonymous44 wrote: »

I maybe skipped details in regards to my Dad:
- He is already declared bankrupt, he has no assets or money. He is mentally and physically unfit and is constantly in and out of hospital. He has state benefit (which can't be used as debt) and has frequent debt collection notices where he failed to turn up to court and he just laughs it off because he knows in this sense he is untouchable.

This is why I'm comfortable with the debt being chased up with my Dad. He has actually suggested to me to do it this way.

Are you serious? Your dad is unwell and in and out of hospital, but you're happy for him to be chased for your debt?

anselld

Anonymous44 wrote: »

I maybe skipped details in regards to my Dad:
- He is already declared bankrupt, he has no assets or money. He is mentally and physically unfit and is constantly in and out of hospital. He has state benefit (which can't be used as debt) and has frequent debt collection notices where he failed to turn up to court and he just laughs it off because he knows in this sense he is untouchable.

This is why I'm comfortable with the debt being chased up with my Dad. He has actually suggested to me to do it this way.

Unbelievable!

If you are determined to focus only on your self-interest then consider what effect a CCJ will have on your own future.

mrginge

Anonymous44 wrote: »

I maybe skipped details in regards to my Dad:
- He is already declared bankrupt, he has no assets or money. He is mentally and physically unfit and is constantly in and out of hospital. He has state benefit (which can't be used as debt) and has frequent debt collection notices where he failed to turn up to court and he just laughs it off because he knows in this sense he is untouchable.

This is why I'm comfortable with the debt being chased up with my Dad. He has actually suggested to me to do it this way.

So when they find that out they'll just go after you won't they. Then you'll be the one with the CCJ.

Are you a bit thick?

csgohan4

Stop feeding the troll