Rented Property Help

vanilla_twist

I agree visit the council about deposit scheme and explain why you need to move now. Check your deposit is legally lodged and maybe ask letting agent to release your deposit before you move to all you to get out.
Or just keep final months rent to use towards a deposit and as already said pay off arrears from the deposit you have returned to you.
Or use final months rent as deposit and let deduct this from deposit.

Have you had council round to inspect house?

V x

corell

As someone who has been in this position, I feel your pain!
We were also in the position where we couldn't afford to move so put up with it for over 3 years.
The best advice I can possibly give you is move. It will never be fixed while you are there and paying your rent. They have no need to fix it, as they still get the rent every month even after 6 years.
I felt like the worst mother in the world for not being able to afford to get my child out of a house that was making us ill. We found a way though as we were due money from student finance and we just threw that money into the pot for a new deposit.
Do what you can, cut right back on everything, save, take a loan, anything you can do to get out of that house is the best thing you can do for you and your family. I cannot stress that enough.
I really feel for you guys, but you have to get to a point where you feel enough is enough and I think you could have done that some years ago, better late than never though as they say.
Good luck.

lynz68

How or why you have put up with this for so long I have no idea. Your kids lives are already disrupted by the living conditions they may be settled in school but kids adapt and having a safe healthy living environment is more important. I'm guessing you like the idea of village life if you cannot find a property in your current village find a new village.

Hoploz

This is ridiculous, you have to move. You should have found a way years ago. It is not a suitable place for children especially. And they have been born (or at least very young) in this environment. I hope it does not affect them long term. While I understand that things are difficult for you financially, it was a mistake to stay this long.

Your LL is going to pay the price for not sorting this problem earlier. Most problems begin small and get bigger the longer they're left and this has happened to him now.

In any case you will have to leave for the work to be carried out. It will be very disruptive and any normal person would move out while the floor of their house was dug up.

Go as soon as possible. Don't bother with legal stuff, writing letters and all the headaches, just follow the advice above about financial benefits etc and go.

marksoton

I'm sorry OP but it's time to just get on with it and move.

What's the point of kids being in a decent school if their home environment is potentially detrimental to their health?

And that's just the start of the issues...

pinkshoes

Get environmental health in immediately!! It sounds like the house is uninhabitable, and the landlord should have insurance to pay for alternative accommodation whilst the problems are fixed.

Usually in these scenarious, the LL will then issue an S21.

Is there nothing else available locally?

[Deleted User]

Phone environmental health on Monday, first thing. State the electrical hazard (where your wife was electrocuted) as well as the damp. Hope they come round quickly and supervise that the repairs and reconstruction that should have been done years ago is now done.

However, they tend to give generous time limits for this sort of work. It could still take months, and you could be living with no floor, walls etc for a very long time so your best bet is below:

It may be that they will declare the house as unfit for habitation.., which means you can then apply for a council house/temporary accommodation.., wherever it is, its got to be better than this. As already said on here, living in a house that's safe and healthy just has to have more importance than the temporary emotional effect a change in school will have.

The council may also offer a loan or deposit/first month's rent guarantee scheme that might help you move to another private rental. ASK, once an inspection has been done.

Call environmental health, invite your MPs and councellors round to look at the property. Maybe they can help.

Also phone Shelter, you do have legal rights (limited though) that you are just not using.

BTW Bleach put into a water solution (any strength) in a spray bottle is just as good at defeating bleach and a lot less expensive. I used it in my mouldy bathroom recently (moved in, mould has gone without a return so not like your situation). Be careful when spraying the ceiling, it discolours your clothes lol, I have a black tshirt with red spots now.

corell

Please dont use bleach on mould, it's really bad. If anything, use white vinegar.

[Deleted User]

OK I stand corrected although I must say bleach has usually removed mould for me

http://cleaningallstars.com/the-truth-about-mold-removal-bleach-vs-vinegar/

dr3n

thanks everyone.. your input and comments have really helped..

long story short - spoke with Shelter, they confirmed that the issues are down to negligence and that we should now get in touch with environmental health and get an HHSRS completed..

and yes - we agree completely that we need to get out ASAP, and after speaking with Shelter it seems like there are a number of options that we can take on this front..

so fingers crossed we find a solution..

many thanks again folks..