disrepair, rented property

crism

I've been renting for last 3 years a furnished property. Long story short - gas safety not done for last 2 years, no light in the kitchen for half a year. Furniture essentially falling apart. Leaking taps beyond repair. Window blinds, carpets etc need to be replaced as completely worn out.
Now I've been trying to contact landlord with no success ever since the gas safety went out of date, and more frequently when lights in the kitchen went out. Not picking up/returning calls. I've sent a million of texts, which some she responded to with empty promises to send someone in to look at the issues. Contacted her agent (although she is the one I am to contact with in case of any issues), who promised some help. She send an electrician a week ago to check on the kitchen lights but I never heard back either from him or from her as for when any work is to be done.
I've sent a recorded letter September demanding repairs.
No response.

Tennancy I've been contracted in expired 2 years ago and I've been paying monthly as no new fixed contract has been issued, turning my tennancy - if I am not in wrong - to a periodic one.

I am a very calm person and it takes a big deal to get me angry, but this is exactly where I am now. I am basically fed up, stressed and wondering how someone can be such an unscrupulous person.

Could anyone kindly advise what to do in the situation; I am seriously considering suing.

Thanks for your time.

G_M

Gas safety report to HSE via form LGSR1.

See also:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqtenant.htm


For repairs, see:

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

Oh - and always put everything in writing and send to the address provided 'for serving notices on the LL'. The law requires such an address, so use it!

Davesnave

crism wrote: »

Could anyone kindly advise what to do in the situation; I am seriously considering suing.

It may seem a silly, obvious question, but why have you put up with this for so long?

You are not in the same position as those of us daft enough to buy a renovation property, where these daily hardships come with the territory, so why not just give up on this useless landlord and move?

csgohan4

Leave, give your notice since your on periodic and go elsewhere. Your LL doesn't deserve you

crism

Thanks.
Yes, I know of course leaving is the easiest option, but for me at this stage is a matter of principal. I've paid always on time and cared about the property as it has been my own, so expect a level of decency on the side of landlord.
Leaving is the easiest option and so many people would do, but then it is the same as accepting what is going on instead of fighting it.

If I'll decide to leave, I will have to put up with agents and their fees, stress of moving, new tennancy agreement that will bound me for at least a year, rent increase as majority of properties in my area went up quite a bit since we moved in here. Also covenience of the place: close to town, close to train station, close to shops.

My question is if I stand a chance of winning if I'll go to the court?

Davesnave

crism wrote: »

My question is if I stand a chance of winning if I'll go to the court?

Sorry, but I don't think anyone here can tell you.

However, suppose you 'won,' how would you quantify your loss? Have you made losses that can be quantified? Courts don't pay out random awards, so you would need evidence.

For example, the cost of an extension lead and lamp to temporarily light the kitchen might be about £15. Tap washers are a few pence.

Is that the level of payout you'd be expecting?

The gas safety checks may be sorted without going to court, as GM has pointed out.

AnotherJoe

My question is if I stand a chance of winning if I'll go to the court?

No you don't because even in the unlikely event of the landlady fixing these, after renovating to your standards the landlord will either raise your rent or more likely kick you out, so you'll lose even if you win.

You seem to have forgotten you are in a position where the landlord can require you to leave at any time, so any victory in court would be pyrrhic.

It's unfortunate, but the situation is it's very difficult to force landlords to fix the basics, so forget your principles, and move on (literally).

Cakeguts

crism wrote: »

Thanks.
Yes, I know of course leaving is the easiest option, but for me at this stage is a matter of principal. I've paid always on time and cared about the property as it has been my own, so expect a level of decency on the side of landlord.
Leaving is the easiest option and so many people would do, but then it is the same as accepting what is going on instead of fighting it.

If I'll decide to leave, I will have to put up with agents and their fees, stress of moving, new tennancy agreement that will bound me for at least a year, rent increase as majority of properties in my area went up quite a bit since we moved in here. Also covenience of the place: close to town, close to train station, close to shops.

My question is if I stand a chance of winning if I'll go to the court?

Your problems aren't limited to the property they also include the attitude of your landlord. Even if you get the house fixed now you are still going to be stuck with the same landlord and their attitude to repairs.

By moving you have the possibility of getting a much better landlord as well as a property that is in better repair.