Landlord lied about the flat - how to get money back?!

chillout_cat

Hi everyone,

I am renting one bedroom flat with my boyfriend. The flat was found by an agency (and we had problems from the very beginning - they had 'forgotten' to put my boyfriend in admission fee form and holding deposit receipt and actually thought there had been only me moving in, so when the landlord found out, she reqested higher rent).
After signing contract (for 6 months) and moving in at 10 am last Saturday, we realised we had cockroaches and bunch of mice in the kitchen, living room and bathroom. As we always saw the flat at daytime, it was impossible to notice all the creatures because they come out at night!! I was absolutely devastated. We called the landlord, she adviced me to call Westminster Council so they could 'take a fast action'. That was rubbish of course, the council said it was a private property so they couldn't help me. I'm sure she knew about the bugs and mice - she didn't seem surprise.
I told her the next day I want to move out asap, it's impossible to live in the flat and also I paid for a proper living room, bathroom, kitchen and bedroom and all I'm using is bloody bed because I'm too scared going into another rooms! She said I should call the agent as they still have my money. The agent obviously claimed it was between me and landlord to sort it out but 'the contract protects me' (in which way and where does it say exactly they couldn't explain).
I talked to her again today and she was yelling at me (!!!) she was bringing a guy to sprinkle the flat (told her I didn't want to live with a poison) - she never said when, shouting that she didn't have any of my money, that I didnt have right to ask her to give me my money back because I signed 6-months contract, finally that I had to give a month notice if I want to move out (and there is not guaranty I will get even my deposit back as my boyfriend isn't in the contract yet so she can always say I didnt have right to live with him here).

Let me add she singed she was willing to clean the carpets in the flat, exchange a broken window pane - she never did of course.

Please could you tell me who is right? Does my contract really protects me? What should I do next? This is nearly 2000 pounds we're talking about!! (rent in advance and deposit). There must be sth one can do when something that unexpected happens just after you moved in!!
Thanks for any advise, I'm completely stressed out and frustrated (we basically sleep with the lights on!).
Kasia & Mike

*Louise*

Sorry, I have no idea about contracts and stuff - I just wanted to send sympathy and bump this back to the top - hopefully someone will see it and help you.

Have you tried putting traps down for the mice or anything?

Generali

Try calling Shelter.

0808 800 4444.

It's free and they're excellent.

chillout_cat

Thank you guys; will try to call Shelter tmrw.

Lizzy

I think someone will pop on here with some sound advice, but you have signed the contract and the landlady is "somewhat" willing to sort out the vermin problem but it sounds that you do not want her to sort it as you do not want the poison around. Its a catch 22. The judge may say the landlady tried to sort it but you would not let her. If I had mice or other vermin I would have to live with poison why I got a "man in" (driving a plain brown paper bag van, so no one would know who it was). I really do feel for you because its not just a broken tap or window, you do have my sympathy but I think you may have to give her the chance to sort it out. You may be best seeing a solicitor for a chat to see what your options are.

chillout_cat

Thanks Lizzy.
Well, the thing is I have never lived in a flat with bug-problem and I really find it difficult. Of course I will let her to bring the guy but I also know the bugs will come back - they always do (apparently all the shops downstairs sell mice and cockroaches traps so I'm assuming they are all over the place! Two of them coming in the flat is enough to start 600 bugs happy family). Staying in the flat where I always have to check all the walls, doors and floor before I enter the room is just not an option for me.

beingjdc

Get a cat

I had cockroaches in my old flat. Eventually I did move out to this much nicer place. However they were coming from under the bath, and after I blitzed the bathroom with flying ant spray I found two dead ones and the others never came back.

They're just a fact of life in cheap housing in some parts of London, though. The Council should help (for a fee) whatever type of housing you are in - perhaps you rang the Housing department instead of the Pest Control people directly?

http://www.westminster.gov.uk/environment/pestsandnuisance/index.cfm

sooz

If you are in westminster (and scared of mice), I am guessing that this is either your first time renting, or you've never lived in London before.

London is crawling with all sorts of vermin (this includes some of the people too )

If the vermin presented themselves the first night that you were in, then it can't be said you attracted them...by leaving food out etc)

Call the council, and ask to speak to their pest control. They will deal with private houses, but you have to pay. Normally under £100 for 3 visits. And they will leave poison, but not all over - in sealed boxes

Debt_Free_Chick

chillout_cat wrote: »

We called the landlord, she adviced me to call Westminster Council so they could 'take a fast action'. That was rubbish of course, the council said it was a private property so they couldn't help me.

Westminster Council Pest Control - it states ....

"As a resident in Westminster the Pest Control team are here to advise and, in certain cases, take action on any pest problems that you may have in your home. So whether you are a home owner, leaseholder, private tenant or council tenant, we can advise and help you on what to do."

Contact them by email from the site

Question is, if they charge, should you pay for it?

Why not contact them and see what the charge might be. If you think it's "substantial" then I think you should agree with the LL who is going to pay. Arguably, the LL should pay as it's their property and you are paying to rent a pest-free flat. Also, it seems that the pests were their before you moved in.

However, depending on the charge, it might not be worth getting into a spat with the LL. Afterall, if the Council deal with the problem and the flat is then "clean" you'll probably be happy about that.

Contact the Council, find out the charges. Post back if you want more advice & suggestions.

Good luck

I have to admit, that rats, mice etc don't bother me ... but cockroaches really give me the eebie-jeebies :eek: :eek: :eek:

sooz

Sorry, didn't finish my message as had to do school run.........

Call the Council, and charge the landlady for it. It cannot be considered to be your fault if vermin were there the day you moved in.

Write to your LL and tell her how much the Council charges are, and that since she asked you to call them, and the vermin were there before you, that they will send the bill to her.

At the same time put in writing about the other things she said she would do...you might want the carpet cleaning done after the mice are gone.

You and your boyfriend need to spend the day pulling out washing machines, fridges etc and looking behind cupboards. Wear gloves, and clean behind and under everything you can.

For the cockroaches you can buy a great spray called DEATHLAC from many hardware shops (eg Dyas), and once you've cleaned, you spray it around the edges of the floor, especially behind things you can't normally get to.

Take photos before you clean, to give the landlady evidence....probably she won't have cleaned under things.

Also, if you see any holes that a mouse may come through, take a photo. Mice have hardly any brain, and so can squash their heads to fit through tiny holes, something the size of a woman's little finger. Most common holes they come through are those near pipes, eg water in and waste out, pipes to radiators, near gas pipes, under toilets, under baths, and gaps under skirting boards etc.

These holes all need filling, a foam spray filler is ideal. Don't do this yourself, as it makes a big mess...take photos and show them to the LL, and ask her to send a handyman round to fill them. This is the same advice that the pest control people will give..(i know as i've had them round recently)...you have to seal all the entrances for vermin to the flat, but it's better to first poison them.

You also need to ensure that there is no food to attract them. Don't leave washing up, sweep up crumbs, use a bin with a tight fitting lid, both inside and out. Move all food into higher cupboards.

And don't think that sitting on your bed you are away from them...they can climb! :eek:

CYBERCIDERSAVER

2 grand for a rat infested sh**hole???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek::eek:

And people live in London because......?

Hope you get it sorted.