Landlord giving us the run around?

n1guy

We moved into this house in October 2015 after we had an issue in our previous house with the oil tank splitting and the landlord wouldn't fix it which I think I posted about on here.

Anyway when we moved into our new house the landlord told us there was an issue with a valve in the boiler when meant the hot water ran out the overflow but that he would have it fixed soon.

Soon after moving in we also discovered half the radiators didn't work and couldn't be bled as the bleeding screws had their heads taken off. We contacted the landlord again told the plumber would be out soon to fix all.

Fast forward to almost a year later and still nothing fixed. Now the landlord has been in touch a few times over the year and any time he calls he starts off with "Ah I'm still waiting on the plumber, he's busy but will get in touch soon" then he continues on with what he's looking. He has given us the run around for a year now, what is it with landlords? Thats twice now we have been stung.

Any ideas on what to do?

marksoton

n1guy wrote: »

Any ideas on what to do?

Find somewhere else to live. It won't improve.

G_M

* Repairing Obligations: the law, common misconceptions, reporting/enforcing, retaliatory eviction & the new protection (2015)

Marvel1

Tell him there is a flood and need a plumber

Has the gas safety even been done?

fishpond

All above and look for somewhere else.
Trust me, when I say there are some very good Ll's out there. :cool:

Cakeguts

Find somewhere else to live and don't look for the biggest house at the cheapest rent.

Pixie5740

You could move or you could escalate it to environmental health or do the repairs yourself and deduct the money from your rent (providing you following the correct process to the letter otherwise you'll just end up !!!! creek without a paddle) since your tenancy started on or after 1st October 2015 and are, to some extent, protected from retaliatory evictions.

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

I'm assuming that as this has been ongoing for almost a year you have WRITTEN (ink, paper, stamp) to your landlord at the address for the serving of notices given in your tenancy agreement at least once already.

cells

In your shoes I would have the work done and deduct the amount from the rent. Keep the invoices and try to use someone competitive. I dont see why the landlord would be against that and should thank you for sorting it out.

csgohan4

cells wrote: »

In your shoes I would have the work done and deduct the amount from the rent. Keep the invoices and try to use someone competitive. I dont see why the landlord would be against that and should thank you for sorting it out.

Bad idea, withholding rent gives the LL a reason to evict and start CCJ proceedings which could ruin your credit file.


Letter before action and then involve the CAB for your options and eventually taking to court


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

Pixie5740

csgohan4 wrote: »

Bad idea, withholding rent gives the LL a reason to evict and start CCJ proceedings which could ruin your credit file.


Letter before action and then involve the CAB for your options and eventually taking to court


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

Not necessarily. Tenants can carry out the repairs themselves and deduct the money from the rent as long as they follow the correct process which is in the Shelter link than both you and I provided. As long as that exact process was followed a Section 8 notice could be defended against as well as any arrears the landlord tried to take the tenant to court over because there wouldn't really be arrears.

I don't really see the point of involving CAB. Escalating the repairs to Environmental Health would probably be more affective. If I wanted advice about housing I'd choose Shelter over CAB.