Advice for student house.

lindos90

aneary wrote: »

I would be tempted to notify the council that this was like this when you moved in, they may not have forwarding addresses for the previous tenants but they will have their names due to council tax.

Thats a good point, however the council may not have the old tenants names, as everything is inclusive in the rent. The council will have either the LL or the LAs name for the property, so actually, thinking about it, it might be that any fine would not be directed to the new tenants at all.

We have called the council, before anyone moved in, they directed us to the LA to sort the bins, who in turn have not responded or advised.

lindos90

G_M wrote: »

The Tenancy may show a ''c/o" address for serving notices on the LL - eg c/o the agency

See the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 section 1.

Have they not got a copy of the TA? Request that too.

See also:


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

Is TA 'Tenancy Agreement'? (sorry just getting to grips with all the terms) I believe they signed a contract, but I didnt see that, they were fairly pressured to sign up there and then, and the signed copy was taken by the LA. My son said it was fairly generic and didn't state anything specific about the property or its contents.

They have definitely not had an inventory of contents or a check in report. Hence me taking lots of photos!

aneary

lindos90 wrote: »

Thats a good point, however the council may not have the old tenants names, as everything is inclusive in the rent. The council will have either the LL or the LAs name for the property, so actually, thinking about it, it might be that any fine would not be directed to the new tenants at all.

We have called the council, before anyone moved in, they directed us to the LA to sort the bins, who in turn have not responded or advised.

Council tax shouldn't be included in the rent, students are exempt but still should be registered with the council.

lindos90

aneary wrote: »

Council tax shouldn't be included in the rent, students are exempt but still should be registered with the council.

Ah yes of course, I forgot about that! I just know from the students point of view there are no additional charges, its 'all in'

I will let them know they probably need to register with the council anyway

Lorian

You need a copy of the Tenancy Agreement as a priority.

Check if for a joint liability clause as this may be a pent up issue for the future - especially if you are a guarantor.

Presumably a deposit was paid, has protection information been provided?

Ring the council refuse department and explain the issues with the bins.

Visit the Lettings Agent (assuming they are managing the property) with the list of issues rather than just letting them "not respond"

lindos90

Lorian wrote: »

You need a copy of the Tenancy Agreement as a priority. Yes, I will him know about this, and to ask for an inventory too

Check if for a joint liability clause as this may be a pent up issue for the future - especially if you are a guarantor.Yep, I am indeed Guarantor, so will do that.

Presumably a deposit was paid, has protection information been provided? Yes, he has a letter confirming this has been registered

Ring the council refuse department and explain the issues with the bins.Done already, before he moved in, they referred him back to the LA, but confirmed a fine would be issued if the bins were not correctly sorted. (They did not specify who would be fined)

Visit the Lettings Agent (assuming they are managing the property) with the list of issues rather than just letting them "not respond"I guess that is their next step if they get no response, but they would not have the LAs response in writing for future reference if anything came of it, which is why up to now they have been emailing. I take your point though.

Thanks for the suggestions, as always, MSErs are so helpful

lindos90

Son has sent me a copy of the tenancy agreement. The 'all inclusive of utilities' is not actually all inclusive, there is a £10 allowance per week, anything over that, the landlord can charge them

Theres also a clause by which if anyone drops out, or does not pay, the remaining tenants have to pay. Son told me the lettings agent said that was not the case, they would only be responsible for their own individual rent Oh dear, I think I should have got a bit more involved, but I didnt want to look like an overbearing Mum

It does not mention any appliances, but does say that the tenant is responsible for closing and locking all windows when not in the property, however several windows can not even be closed!

I feel they are a bit out of their depth. I hope they can sort it out.

HampshireH

If I were him I would take meter readings asap so they aren't charged for an old bill.

Also ask for the inventory and if there isn't one request one is done (will depend on how long they have been there)

He and his roommates do sound out of their depth I agree.

Sounds like they have no comeback on the tumble dryer but really important it's documented as LL will probably try and claim costs from them at the end

lindos90

HampshireH wrote: »

If I were him I would take meter readings asap so they aren't charged for an old bill.

Also ask for the inventory and if there isn't one request one is done (will depend on how long they have been there)

He and his roommates do sound out of their depth I agree.

Sounds like they have no comeback on the tumble dryer but really important it's documented as LL will probably try and claim costs from them at the end

The TA conditions actually refers to an inventory, so they are going to ask for one, and I have just messaged him to take meter readings. One student has been there a week, the other two only moved in yesterday, so although it will not be exactly the right reading, it shouldnt be far off that.

Lorian

lindos90 wrote: »

Theres also a clause by which if anyone drops out, or does not pay, the remaining tenants have to pay. Son told me the lettings agent said that was not the case, they would only be responsible for their own individual rent Oh dear, I think I should have got a bit more involved, but I didnt want to look like an overbearing Mum

This catches a lot of people out - this is the joint liability issue I thought might be there. It may be of particular issue to you personally. Hopefully you have retained a copy of the deed of guarantee you have signed. you need to check if you are guaranteeing the payments of just your son's part of the rent, or for that of all the occupants.