Sons new uni house - unfinished

longwalks1

dropped our youngest off to his new rented uni house yesterday hes going to share with 5 others in lincoln, it still has a lot of work to be done which was promised to be finished by 01 Sept. 2 new cookers not connected up, no carpet on any stairs or landings, bathrooms have bare wood chipboard floors and no certs for the new gas boiler, TV on the wall is smashed etc

We've called the letting agent this morning who basically told us 'tough luck' and it will be sorted when they get round to it, every student ha paid a £500 deposit and agreed to pay £80 a week rent. My other half told them if its not sorted in the next few days, all 6 will be cancelling their DD this week, to which the letting agent got in a huff on the phone and hung up

Where do we stand please? And who is the governing body for letting agents to students, so we can complain (or at least threaten to complain)?

elverson

Did you get that 'promise' in writing?

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

There is, shockingly, no governing body. And if they don't pay the rent they can/will be evicted, so don't cancel that DD. There will be others on the way with more help, but those are the bare facts.

csgohan4

Letter before action via recorded delivery, make sure the inventory/ check in reflects what it is now so you don't get charged.

I presume your deposits are protected?

Get some advice via CAB

Make a complaint to the letting agency, and make sure you leave reviews for them online.

Did anyone view the house before agreeing to sign?

eddddy

csgohan4 wrote: »

Letter before action via recorded delivery, make sure the inventory/ check in reflects what it is now so you don't get charged.

What "action" are you referring to?

If it's a "letter before action", the OP would need to state what "action" they intended to take.

csgohan4

eddddy wrote: »

What "action" are you referring to?

If it's a "letter before action", the OP would need to state what "action" they intended to take.

If they were told the flat would done in time in either in contract or written form, then they are entitled to that.


Also if the flat in disrepair they can take court action

more on the following for OP:


http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_in_private_lets/landlord_refusing_to_do_repairs

Andypandyboy

From what date is full rent payable? The house should be in move in condition from that date.

Ring the agent back and speak to them again. You can also contact the University accom office who will help you. They have a lot of clout as they can blacklist an agent or property for future students.

When ringing the agent mention that you will be contacting the University.

nkkingston

No cookers and carpet, sadly, means nothing if you don't have in writing that there would be. No gas cert, however, gives you a lot more ammunition.

Alice_Walker

Accommodation services at the uni may be able to help, they may (or may not) have contacts at the agency. It's worth asking.

I would be surprised if the boiler does not have a gas certificate if it has been newly installed, the installer would have done it at the same time. Nonetheless you are entitled to see a copy of it.

Pixie5740

Is the letting agent named as the landlord on your son's tenancy agreement? His agreement will be with the landlord not the letting agent the letting agent just works on the landlord's behalf as...well his agent.

Your son and/or the other tenants should WRITE (that's ink, paper and a stamp) to the address for the serving of notices given in their tenancy agreement requesting that the cookers be connected, the flooring laid, the television be removed/replaced and most importantly of all for a copy of the current gas safety certificate.

I would not advise anyone to not pay the rent or they could find themselves in breach of contract. As an aside are you sure the rent is paid by DD and not SO?

AnotherJoe

Cal the universities accommodation office, hopefully this is registered with them and will give them some leverage.