Landlord in breach of human rights

Arleen

kinger101 wrote: »

Nobody is telling you it's legal. Just that you're not in a position to ask the landlord to break the law according to your preferences.

And more importatnly that raising this to authorities will get this 100+ people kicked out eventually.

zenech

Would it be possible for all this people to go to their local council in Leeds informing it that they do live there, so different conditions will apply, like council tax instead of business rates, longer contracts with protection scheme...
I mean, would it be possible to force then the agent, for the fact that he knew the situation, to offer domestic contracts, safeguarding the position of the tennants and give them some legal rights?

Voyager2002

How does the agent / landlord find tenants? Maybe if you could produce any misleading advertisements, or even get someone to pose as a prospective tenant and record what they are told, you would have evidence of a criminal offense. At that point you might be able to negotiate effectively with the landlord.

GDB2222

zenech wrote: »

Would it be possible for all this people to go to their local council in Leeds informing it that they do live there, so different conditions will apply, like council tax instead of business rates, longer contracts with protection scheme...
I mean, would it be possible to force then the agent, for the fact that he knew the situation, to offer domestic contracts, safeguarding the position of the tennants and give them some legal rights?

The building does not have residential planning consent, so the council will most probably take enforcement action to stop the present usage.

jimbog

zenech wrote: »

Would it be possible for all this people to go to their local council in Leeds informing it that they do live there, so different conditions will apply, like council tax instead of business rates, longer contracts with protection scheme...
I mean, would it be possible to force then the agent, for the fact that he knew the situation, to offer domestic contracts, safeguarding the position of the tennants and give them some legal rights?

Not sure, but you know their situation and you know where they live. Contact these people - they would only ever be interested in ensuring your friend's welfare.

Are your friends worth it?

http://www.westyorksfire.gov.uk/contact/request-information/

zenech

jimbog wrote: »

Not sure, but you know their situation and you know where they live. Contact these people - they would only ever be interested in ensuring your friend's welfare.

Are your friends worth it?

I don't know it. I see the agent's career in peril.
Thanks, but the fire brigade would just put pressure on the tenants, and the agent will keep on raking in.
Jim is thinking about going to the council. The tenants would like to stay, since from their point of view they are living there, choosing the place as their domicile. The landlord should give them more services, longer contracts with rental scheme and stop raising rents applying a 'free market' scheme to an informal situation.
How would it be possible? I mean, through which offices?

davidmcn

zenech wrote: »

How would it be possible?

It isn't possible, for the reasons previously given.

booksurr

zenech wrote: »

How would it be possible? I mean, through which offices?

if you wish to live in the UK then learn how UK law operates. Claiming "human rights" does not apply to a commercial let where the residents are the ones breaking the terms of their agreement.

[Deleted User]

zenech wrote: »

If people wouldn't live there the rent would be much cheaper. Who would rent a storage at the 3rd floor for 600-700 quid a month?
The agent is taking advantage of the economical situation of the people living there, and I tell you, he would deserve to have all the space emptied and squatted, and he prosecuted for some gangsterism.
It is going to happen, anyway..
But if he wasn't so greedy to expect a yearly increase and renewal of the contract and not so hypocrite to pretend strictly he doesnt know people living here in their face(which I think it can be a criminal offense related to spergiury in case of somebody getting hurt in the building), the benefit would be mutual, that would be allright to find a turn around to the law, letting this 100 people CHOOSE where to live (if they choose a rubbish bin, it's their choice). The agent should just fly down, being in the position of having a big advantage from an illegal situation.

If these are "business" properties are the tenants paying business rates? An annual increase in rent isn't unusual, and they can of course refuse to sign the lease and move out, which IMHO would be the best thing to do

Cakeguts

zenech wrote: »

I don't know it. I see the agent's career in peril.
Thanks, but the fire brigade would just put pressure on the tenants, and the agent will keep on raking in.
Jim is thinking about going to the council. The tenants would like to stay, since from their point of view they are living there, choosing the place as their domicile. The landlord should give them more services, longer contracts with rental scheme and stop raising rents applying a 'free market' scheme to an informal situation.
How would it be possible? I mean, through which offices?

This is a commercial building. The tenants should not be living there. The way to solve this situation is for all the tenants to move out and rent residential units like flat or houses. The landlord knows that they cannot grant residential tenancies for a commercial building. If you want to help these people tell them to move out and find somewhere legal to rent. You are not going to get residential tenancies for a commercial building. It is not acceptable for people to live in commercial buildings in the UK. Inform the council of the situation and hope that the council makes the landlord evict them all.

Are they all British citizens or would they fail the right to rent checks?