Would my landlord bother helping me with a wobbly aerial?

Jmoo

I don't know if this is me being dramatic or not, but I have had issues with my aerial since the winds last month. While it was works on a good day, the plates around the aerial have become loose and now flap in the wind. Being on a main road this happens a lot of the time, meaning my signal often pixelates and breaks up in a good television reception area.

This could, presumably, require a new aerial.

I haven't had much luck getting my landlord to act on any issues so far, so should I be bothering about this? Ideally I'd like it resolved, but would they see me as being too fussy given my complaints went unhelped previously?

AnotherJoe

Does your contract include TV reception? If so write formally to him asking for it to be fixed. But that may have no better effect.

Or, get in someone on your own money to fix it. £150 probably. And consider withholding the money from one months rent making it clear why, but he may start eviction proceedings. Its really difficult to get landlords who dont want to, to do maintenance. Maybe consider moving.

(why is being on a main road relevant? Is it windier on main roads?)

Jmoo

In terms of main road, I find when lorries are going top speed it's having an effect on the aerial. When it's calmer in terms of traffic it's not so wobbly!

I suspect it's probably communal which makes it a bigger issue.

G_M

Do not withold rent - that simply put you in arrears and achieves nothing except aggravating the relationship.

For context, it would help to know what the other issues are, what action you took, and what response the LL gave.

Is this a block of flats? If this is a communal aerial as you suggest, then the LL probobly cannot get it fixed himself - he'd have to get the freeholder of the building, or the management company, to fix it.

Write to the LL at the proper address and ask.

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

Rodders53

If the aerial is now damaged and eventually falls through the roof in the next high winds, the Landlord and/or Freeholder will face a bigger repair outlay than they currently do.

Inform them asap and let them decide what to do about it.

If the aerial is communal then other tenants (or owners) in the building will be affected. Have a word with them and get them to complain/inform the owner of the communal aerial. Usually communal aerials are maintained by the Freeholder / Building managers, so maintenance will be covered under service charges.

Otherwise read your contract carefully.

Jmoo

G_M wrote: »

Do not withold rent - that simply put you in arrears and achieves nothing except aggravating the relationship.

For context, it would help to know what the other issues are, what action you took, and what response the LL gave.

I moved in last month. As it's all through letting agent the onus does tend to fall on them, but I had a list of questions (where are the bins, can I get the lights resolved as they require an electrician to change them, how does the boiler work, why isn't my electricity moving around could the landlord inform me if any tenant has had any problems previously). All were acknowledged by the letting agent either by email or telephone with the promise of sending to the LL, but did not get any further replies. With the electricity problem I took this into my own hands as I felt they were frustrating the situation and was resolved by two visits from the power company. The LA/LL also didn't turn up on the moving in date to supply the keys as they planned to do. I then had keys missing and had to go to the office to collect them.

G_M wrote: »

Is this a block of flats? If this is a communal aerial as you suggest, then the LL probobly cannot get it fixed himself - he'd have to get the freeholder of the building, or the management company, to fix it.

This is a block but it's only a converted house to four flats. I think they have total responsibility.

AnotherJoe

G_M wrote: »

Do not withold rent - that simply put you in arrears and achieves nothing except aggravating the relationship.

People say this here, but what other routes do renters have to getting problems fixed when the landlord simply ignores on a long term basis?

And what "relationship" - there doesn't seem to be one other than LL collects rent, LL ignores obligations.

Yes, OP may get evicted but they may get evicted anyway.

Hoploz

Have you spoken to any of the neighbours? My mum had a similar problem when her aerial was waving about after a storm. As it is a communal aerial the management company sent someone to fix it. Even if there is no official management company, one of the flat owners will normally take responsibility for common parts repairs.

The fly in the ointment is if some people have sky or cable and don't use the aerial as they aren't interested and cannot corroborate that there is a fault.

Hopefully another neighbour will have noticed up but even if they haven't then take them outside and point to the flapping bits and they'll soon want it sorted, as already said, it'll lead to more problems if left to fall off!

AdrianC

Jmoo wrote: »

This is a block but it's only a converted house to four flats. I think they have total responsibility.

They'll need to get the freeholder involved. If the aerial damages anything else, then the freeholder will CERTAINLY become involved.

TBagpuss

I don't suppsoe that the landlord will care abput your TV reception, but they may care that the lose ariel could damage the roof or cause an injury to someone if it fell.

I'd suggest writing to thme, letting them know that the ariel is loose and that you are concerned that it may damage the roof or could fall and cause an injury.

If your neighbours have the same landlord suggest they do the same - 3 or 4 letters would have more impact than one, and you don't look like 'the fussy one' (not saying you are, just that you may not want to be percieved that way!)

Jmoo

I mean I'm not against paying out to get it resolved but as it effects other tenants I feel less inclined for me to foot the bill. I agree if it's becoming loose it could be a safety hazard. We'll see.