Landlord changed locks/evicted but wants rent.

ningai

No deposit, and it was listed as a studio flat so no bed just a wooden sofa that pulls out a "bed" which is very uncomfortable hence me buying one, only cost £30 but £20 to deliver.

It was my fault for not researching the place in some ways, a google search brought up the many brothels in the street (or massage parlours/saunas as they call themselves but all the locals tell otherwise) and asking at local shops they told me of the crack dens, 2 different people who died in saunas in the last month from either stroke or heart attack and my downstairs neighbour was even boasting about the police kicking the front door of our building in to arrest him (which searching found out he was a drug dealer)

I have some pictures of the state of the kitchen on my phone that luckily I took before I moved and the living area which has large burns in carpet and the shower with a broken hose (that I did replace as only cost £1 but it shows the damage) and the toilet so rusted inside it was orange.

Marktheshark

What exactly do you want from this ?
If it is compensation then report the illegal eviction to the police and local council lettings team.
If the landlord is fined at the Magistrates your civil case would be far easier to prove.

ningai

Not compensation as much as the money for the period unlivable in there ideally and to know I don't need to pay any more and hopefully the bed and microwave back.

But I can possibly live with losing them if it means no more rent due but it means I lost out money wise.

Marktheshark

If he is refusing to return your property then add theft to the allegations you make to the police.

[Deleted User]

Hope this helps http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/eviction/harassment_and_illegal_eviction_by_landlord/illegal_eviction

Pixie5740

Out of curiosity, if the area is that bad and the studio flat itself was that bad why on Earth did you decide to take the flat in the first place?

Neither of you have behaved particularly well. You are/were contractually obligated to pay rent (and council tax) during the fixed term whether you wanted to remain living there or not. The landlord (or an agent acting on his behalf) has behaved even worse as illegally evicting you is a criminal matter rather than civil. Take Artful's advice and phone Shelter.

ningai

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Out of curiosity, if the area is that bad and the studio flat itself was that bad why on Earth did you decide to take the flat in the first place?

Neither of you have behaved particularly well. You are/were contractually obligated to pay rent (and council tax) during the fixed term whether you wanted to remain living there or not. The landlord (or an agent acting on his behalf) has behaved even worse as illegally evicting you is a criminal matter rather than civil. Take Artful's advice and phone Shelter.

I am offended by that comment, I spoke to the landlord asking if possible that I could leave I was willing to negotiate such as tell him to keep the rent I paid upfront or even pay till someone moved in, after he disagreed I did look at finding another way but decided if I have to I will continue living there.

How is that me not acting well? I could add pictures of how disgusting things were (things like burn marks hidden by what little furniture there was) the oven he seemed to be eager to stand in front of it.

And he said all I would have to pay there would be electric, nothing about water rates (why would I take a run down property when I can get a better one including water rates and lower electric rates with same landlord around the corner)

On first viewing you think the street is just like any other, as its a town centre property I expected noise and to have some bad neighbours but never expected brothels and crack dens murder and drug dealers all in one and junkies sleeping on the street.

Its well known with locals how bad it is but I am not a local.

Pixie5740

Be offended, don't be offended but whatever you do phone Shelter and research the next place you move to better. Talk to the neighbours.

lincroft1710

I find it hard to believe any sane landlord would act in that way.

[Deleted User]

Having been a tenant on the lower rung of the tenancy ladder, I most definitely wouldn't be surprised. This OP doesn't seem interested in pursuing the LL for the criminal acts.., a lot don't so the LL's continue in this way. He's rewarded by maybe eventually having to pay rent owed.., no real losses, and quite a few tenants will just give up and walk away so potentially lots of gains.

If the OP did report the LL AND the LA/police pursued the LL (two big ifs) the LL would learn a lesson and other tenants would be protected. But if one or other party doesn't see it through, the LL is onto a winner.