My landlord is being vile

Comms69

VintageBelle wrote: »

I moved in, in January 16 but he was so lazy he couldn't be bothered to sort the tenancy agreement out until end of may (benefit was he didn't charge us rent until it was sorted as he couldn't). I'm in England.

It's sad that it has come to this but I think we are his scape goats due to his failings.

Yes he could.....

SnooksNJ

Computer_Beginner wrote: »

Is your landlord doing everything officially?

Has he declared the rent you pay to HMRC?
Council tax?
Mortgage CTL?
Other landlord regulations etc?

I would just start by mentioning HMRC etc to him and see if his attitude changes at all...

(Don't actually tell HMRC - or you'll have lost your bargaining chip!)

Always go for the nuclear option against a vile landlord who didn't charge any rent for 5 months.

TBagpuss

OP, you can have your furniture etc whee you want.

I agree with the previous poster who said you should stop testing, and start writing. Keep copies of all letters and get proof of postage.

in the letter, set out clearly the nature of the problem
e.g. - "holes in the roof - previously reported to you on [dates you sent him tests] - causing leaks into house, water damage to upstairs walls and ceilings, damp damage to our furnishings and possessions (or whatever it is causing) " - ask for details of when he will be completing the repairs by.

Do the same for each of the other specific issues.

Take photos of the problems and consider enclosing them with the letter but in any case keep copies.

If you don't get a response then you can contact your council.
Meanwhile, start actively looking for other accommodation.

If you don't want to move, and in particular if you are paying under market rates, then you could consider whether it is worth your while to do some of the work yourself.

LisbonLaura

Your landlord/friend is in distress.

It's far from easy but great for both sides if you can find a way back to where your relationship used to be.

I'm not very good at it, but there are books on the subject.
All else isn't really achieving a thing.

Any olive branches available? ☺

InterestedParty2018

I need to ask - what are you trying to achieve?

If it is to simply get basic repairs done, then write formally to your landlord asking for the repairs to be undertaken. Someone else has already provided a link with details of what the minimum requirements are that a landlord must fulfil.

It appears your relationship with your landlord is more than tenant & landlord and he is a (family) friend?
You also received *free* accommodation at the start of the tenancy.
Are you paying market rent?
All the above can complicate the relationship and make it feel much more personal.

I suspect you feel that if you go down the "formal route" and treat it like a proper landlord & tenant relationship, then you risk souring the friendship.
If you prioritise the friendship over your formal rights, then you get walked all over and not taken seriously.

Personally, if it was me, I would fear that things will only get worse and start looking to move. If he cant afford to maintain the property now, how will it work out in the future. Relationships will only get more strained.

Good luck.

VintageBelle

We are now actively looking to move out.


During the rent free period without a contract I constantly hounded him to get it sorted so I could start could paying rent as I wanted everything to be official and above board (I don't like taking risks as I needed to ensure a roof stayed over me head) but he just kept putting it off as it didn't make me feel particularly comfortable. I'm not the kind of person that takes liberties.


We aren't getting mates rates. He reduced the monthly cost by £50 because he decided not to go through an agency so there wouldn't be agency fees.


We have already done things to the house and made repairs but enough is enough. He's an electrician by trade but we have lights hanging out the ceiling and water dripping through an electric extractor fan.
I literally live paycheck to paycheck to so cannot afford to be constantly paying for repairs and wait for him to pay me back. So far I haven't asked him for money for anything I've done.


The purpose of me asking all this is I want to know my rights if he comes round acting like a complete d*ck again.


Thanks for your responses and info.

Comms69

VintageBelle wrote: »

We are now actively looking to move out.


During the rent free period without a contract I constantly hounded him to get it sorted so I could start could paying rent as I wanted everything to be official and above board (I don't like taking risks as I needed to ensure a roof stayed over me head) but he just kept putting it off as it didn't make me feel particularly comfortable. I'm not the kind of person that takes liberties.


We aren't getting mates rates. He reduced the monthly cost by £50 because he decided not to go through an agency so there wouldn't be agency fees.


We have already done things to the house and made repairs but enough is enough. He's an electrician by trade but we have lights hanging out the ceiling and water dripping through an electric extractor fan.
I literally live paycheck to paycheck to so cannot afford to be constantly paying for repairs and wait for him to pay me back. So far I haven't asked him for money for anything I've done.


The purpose of me asking all this is I want to know my rights if he comes round acting like a complete d*ck again.


Thanks for your responses and info.

It was all above board. You didn’t pay rent. In fact in theory he could actually take you to court for that outstanding amount.

Your rights are to tell him to leave and either ‘assist him’ or ask the police to do so.

Computer_Beginner

Pixie5740 wrote: »

How would the OP know if the landlord was declaring the rental income to HMRC? (S)he doesn't and mentioning it to the landlord will only sour the relationship further so as far as bargaining chips go it's pretty poor. Ditto for CTL, it might never have been a residential mortgage requiring CTL, hell there might not even be a mortgage. .

True.
Just suggesting them as possible points that may help the OP to gain some advantage.
Only the OP can really judge how to escalate this.

Computer_Beginner

Pixie5740 wrote: »

How. Council tax will be the OP's responsibility unless the TA states otherwise which is unlikely.
.

True.
I was alluding to the fact that some dodgy landlords will not inform the council about the property being let out, because they wish to keep the rental income hidden (from DWP, HMRC, mortgage lender, insurer etc, etc). In some areas all landlords must also be licensed (but probably not in this case as it's England.)