Is it legal to rent out a property if the boiler is held together with gaffer tape?

hazyjo

Appreciated. I suppose I just see a very different side, especially after being on these boards for so long. The property one can be harsh/ruthless so I actually think it's been rather tame lol.

I don't think this country is particularly unjust. Some landlords however, are. If she and her landlord had done it all by the book, I doubt we'd be here. As someone else said, some things don't add up and I'm guessing it's been let as a bit of a backhander and not adhering to laws/guidelines. Maybe not, but we can only go on the basics we've heard/interpreted.

House prices aren't always an indication of income or lifestyle. Mine's worth £500k (I certainly didn't pay that) but I'm just a secretary with no degree, and I live with my boyfriend who doesn't work through our choice (bipolar). No benefits. Doesn't mean I'm insensitive to others I have £40 in my savings account and we're always overdrawn. I'm not a book to be judged by my cover. I don't earn a fortune and am not living off some private income or anything! I have a mortgage and bills to pay. I make it stretch.

We need more info on the tenancy to advise. If it's legit, she would have viewed, accepted, paid a deposit, signed an inventory... people are just saying something doesn't sit right. That's no criticism on you or her

Hope she gets sorted soon x
PS on mobile now so ignore any mistakes or other points I've missed as it's bloody impossible typing on here.

Smodlet

Seriously appreciated, HazyJo. I am pretty new to these boards, only started posting a few weeks ago because I needed some advice about financial stuff, yet am unwilling to compromise my integrity, as I see it. Of course, there is more to this story but I do not know all of it and the little I do know is not relevant to the legal situation. I have already stated no deposit was paid nor guarantor named as the young lady is not in a position to provide either. This may well indicate the LL is dodgy, I do not know, any more than I know why the boyfriend has not done more (including helping to find somewhere to live and freaking clean) and is none of my, or any of our business.

Some of the posters in this thread seem to mistake MSE for social media, something I disdain, and which has made me even more angry than I already was on this young girl's behalf. Who the hell is anyone to judge the fact that she has dared to allow herself to become pregnant whilst being poor :mad::mad::mad: Of course, the "man" is in no way responsible, how could he be?

I wished only to try to find information which might help her. I remember being terrified to complain about the horrendous state of holes I rented when much younger in case I was evicted. The law may have changed since then but !!!!!! LLs have not and, I'm sure, never will, which is why I was so reassured at Mossfarr's post; it gives me a little hope. Only a little.

hazyjo

Oh don't worry, the law clamps down very hard on s..t landlords! Things have changed drastically over the years! The legal system isn't psychic though and for as many dodgy LLs, there are tenants who also don't wanna do it by the book for various reasons. Trouble is you're reacting on a purely emotional basis, understandably. But peeps on here are very factual. We see both sides of the picture, or at least try to show both sides. Yep, some say things that don't need saying, but I think it's just what you get on the Internet. Take with a pinch of salt

Karonher

You are so right about the negative posters, what a sorry bunch of ignorant (fill in the blanks) they must be. This board is supposed to be about mutual help and support, not the other stuff...




At the risk of getting called the same as other posters it does not look too good when you quote forum rules and then post the above. Also telling people who don't tell you what you want to hear that they are not worth the time is not the politest thing I have read on here.

Smodlet

"there are tenants who also don't wanna do it by the book for various reasons." OK, help me understand, HazyJo. What if, as is the case here, you are unable to pay a deposit or provide a guarantor? Is that what you refer to or have I got this around my neck? If you imply she may be an illegal immigrant, pretty sure that's not the case from her accent, and his.

Why does it feel, increasingly, as if being poor is a crime in this country? Yes, I know I'm venting, again but this government and **** in general is getting me so down but I will not wish I had never started posting on here, I have had some great feedback, too and am determined to do something to help this young girl. Do I wish I had had someone to give a **** when I needed it, so yes, I am a bit emotional about this because it resonates with me. And I wish I had your confidence in the legal system but still think it is a system only for the rich.

Cakeguts

Smodlet wrote: »

"there are tenants who also don't wanna do it by the book for various reasons." OK, help me understand, HazyJo. What if, as is the case here, you are unable to pay a deposit or provide a guarantor? Is that what you refer to or have I got this around my neck? If you imply she may be an illegal immigrant, pretty sure that's not the case from her accent, and his.

Why does it feel, increasingly, as if being poor is a crime in this country? Yes, I know I'm venting, again but this government and **** in general is getting me so down but I will not wish I had never started posting on here, I have had some great feedback, too and am determined to do something to help this young girl. Do I wish I had had someone to give a **** when I needed it, so yes, I am a bit emotional about this because it resonates with me. And I wish I had your confidence in the legal system but still think it is a system only for the rich.

You can't help her. Only she can help herself. Only she can write to the landlord to complain about the state of the house and only she can contact the council about the house. You can't do this for her because you don't live there. She has got good advice from people on here about how to proceed if she doesn't choose to do that there is nothing you can do. At that point it becomes her choice and none of you business.

In the meantime have a think about this. How would you find a landlord who lets property in a not entirely legal way in a town 80 miles from where you live now and where you have no family or friends?

xylophone

The house to which I referred in my previous post is on a mixed owner occupied/social housing development.

A relative owns a house there and is a friend of the tenant who has just moved into the "neglected" social housing property.

It is only a few years old, a good size and conveniently located which makes it desirable but from what my relative says, "neglected" is an understatement - virtually vandalised and filthy ( ample evidence of untrained pets and humans).

The housing association had done almost nothing to remedy the situation so the tenant began cleaning, disinfecting and redecorating (with help) the moment she got hold of the keys.

hazyjo

If you haven't got a deposit or guarantor, the council will house you. Yes there is a waiting list, but some take priority (8 month pregnant women I would imagine would be up there).

Yeah of course there are thousands of illegal immigrants in housing provided by illegal landlords (we have lots here - I'm in East London). Didn't actually think she was one and wasn't implying it.

I think you're getting the wrong end of the stick a bit. Has she looked into what benefits she may be entitled to? Is she on maternity leave/was she working? Does he not work?

IMO the person you should be directing your anger or frustration at is her other half. No excuse for him acting the way he is.

She cannot be evicted. She has rights as a tenant. Do you know how long her tenancy agreement was for? Even after the 12 months (maybe a 6 month break clause although I doubt it), he can't kick her out. If he changes the locks, she calls the police. It's illegal. The law is on HER side, she just needs to understand it and her rights. Some very valuable posts above.

Smodlet

CG, it's called the internet... the same way I found a house to buy 70-80 miles from where we lived; it's called rightmove (other property websites are available) but you are right, I can do no more, and people like you are making me wonder what the point of trying to address financial injustice is... then I remember this is MSE and Martin Lewis, O.B.E. began it for just that purpose, as far as I am aware. If I've got it wrong, I'll apologise to him.

G_M

Smodlet. You came here for information, which you've received.

Yes, you've also received criticism, moral judgements and the rest, but that's the nature of a public forum. Responding to it simply invites further debate. Just ignore the posts you don't like or which don't help you, and focus on asking the questions you need answered (if there remain any).

Note: as this post also contributes no information of use to your neighbour, do not respond to it!