Moth infestation in new rental property

hoyteam

We were due to move into a rental property on 13th August but during the inventory check we realised the carpets in 2 of the bedrooms were moth ridden, lots of moths were flying around and larvae crawling around. The agency called pest control which, by the time they had visited and advised us to leave the rooms, meant we could move in 5 days later.

We went back 5 days later to find larvae still crawling around, prompting another visit from pest control and an additional 3 days before we moved in.

The moths seem to have gone now and I asked the agency for a rebate on the days we couldnt move in - which works out about £40 a day - and the agency contacted the landlord who has said they would take £100 off of next months rent. Am I right to think we should have a claim to the days we couldnt move in? Any advice much appreciated!

Mokka

I hope you don't own any woolens? Moth infestations are notoriously hard to get rid of.
The chemicals used to be quite toxic, the modern ones are less so, but less effective.
To me it is pretty obvious that you get a refund for the days on which you were unable to take possession.

Tom99

If you are taking over the moth eaten carpets make sure you take plenty if photos, you don't want to get strung for the damage when you leave.

hoyteam

Thanks for the replies. The lettings agency has been very slow to deal with the problem and the delays were further compounded by them needing to confirm everything with the landlord. Just wanted to check I was within my rights to ask for the money back. We had been living in one room and out of boxes waiting for everything to be sorted.

And...now we're looking at a leak in the bedroom ceiling (which they seem to need to ask the landlord about first)!

pmlindyloo

When did you sign the tenancy agreement? When did you pay a deposit and the first month's rent?

Were any of your possession in the rented property whilst the infestation was being dealt with?

Or did you sign the tenancy agreement, pay your deposit and rent but did not move in at all?

Where were you living whilst the work was being done? Were you advised by pest control not to move in at all while the work was being carried out?

hoyteam

We signed the tenancy agreement and paid the deposit and first months rent a few days prior to moving in. None of our possessions were in the property and we didn't want to take them in due to the infestation. We had to live with family and our possessions where stacked in a room at another family members house. On each occasion that pest control came they advised us to leave the rooms empty and that we could only clean/vacuum the rooms 48 hours after the treatment. Since it's a 2 bedroom property that left us (2 adults, 2 children) with the living room, kitchen and bathroom.