Please, please help -- what are my rights here?

patman99

Maybe the LL owns the whole building.

Anyway, well done on watching the locksmith and now knowing how to change the lock.

A good tactic is to ask the agent showing the prospective new tenants around about when the hot water and heating are going to be fixed as they have been faulty for so long. This will put off the tenants for sure.

Meanwhile, be a PITA to the LL. Research 'revenge evictions' and see whether your situation qualifies as one.

G_M

Cavacrol wrote: »

The entire building is owned and managed by the same company, there are no individual landlords. I know for a fact that other residents have had the same problems with heating and hot water or lack thereof.

in that case I take back my comment!

patman99

Ahh, we cross-posted.

As the LL owns the whole building, then it is worth getting each tenant to individually contact the Council to inform them of the LL's complete lack of willingness to fix the heating and hot water. The Council will soon get on the LL's case and demand that the LL either fixes the problems properly (the Council will inspect the work), or the Council will issue a closure order and a large fine for the LL.

Cavacrol

Thanks all. I made friends with a person they employed in the building as a temp for a few weeks. He's the only efficient person who has ever worked here to my knowledge. Very nice man. I decided to give him a ring to discreetly ask him what he thought of management, whether he'd noticed any issues etc. (Without mentioning at first that I was experiencing any issues myself). It was a very eye opening conversation.

Cavacrol

I've called the department that deals with private renting at my local borough a few times but nobody ever answers the phone. I will write them a letter on Monday.

patman99 wrote: »

Ahh, we cross-posted.

As the LL owns the whole building, then it is worth getting each tenant to individually contact the Council to inform them of the LL's complete lack of willingness to fix the heating and hot water. The Council will soon get on the LL's case and demand that the LL either fixes the problems properly (the Council will inspect the work), or the Council will issue a closure order and a large fine for the LL.

FBaby

To cut a long story short my horrendous landlords responded to my complaint about a complete lack of heating and frequent total lack of hot water (for up to 9 days at a time) by issuing me with a Section 21 Notice. I've now given notice to leave this place on 1st January of 2017.

So what date did the S21 give? Did you give notice that falls earlier than the S21? Or is the S21 date next month once why they've advertised being available sooner?

amersall

datlex wrote: »

Of course it would be remiss of you not to be on hand when potential new tenants look and demonstrate the hot water ;-) You look helpful but it should put off the new tenant......

I agree, I would want to be there to do exactly that

googler

The five best door jammers

http://www.safewise.com/blog/top-rated-door-jammers/

No.2 is available in lots of UK outlets. Saw it in my local garden centre the other day.

(EDIT - I see the lock has been changed. Think of these as 'belt and braces', then)

rtho782

You could always do this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lNFJt10w1E

fudge7000

I'd certainly be there for as many viewings as possible to explain the hot water and heating situation to potential new tenants!