Refused to take possession of rental property

92203

Hello,

We recently signed an AST for a house we'd viewed while the previous tenants were in situ. We spent about 15 minutes viewing the property (with the existing tenants showing us around).

Subsequently we attended the property to meet an inventory clerk and collect our keys. On having more time to look around the property with the inventory clerk, it became apparent that the property is poorly maintained in several areas.

Issues listed below ;

• Rotting window frames (wooden) in bedrooms. Mould accumulating on surrounding plaster
• Corroded radiators in hallway and bathroom
• Laminate flooring in lounge - stained, heavily scuffed and discoloured throughout (this was masked by rugs at the time of our viewing)
• Large gaps in tiles on kitchen floor, some of it paint stained
• Flaking paint on wooden panelling in bath room and mould on grouting

The inventory clerk seemed shocked by some of the issues. She'd also flagged some other issues with the property, though they seemed quite superficial and certainly things which would have been easy for us to live with / disguise / fix without much effort or inconvenience.

Anyhow, I've refused to take possession of the property based on the issues flagged at the beginning of my post.

I'm not sure how to proceed next, or where I stand on this. Will the landlord even be obliged to address these issues (particular concern with regard to rotting window frames / mould), if not, where do I take things from there?

I'm tied in for 6 months, which will cost me £7,200 if I'm unable to reach a positive outcome. Fortunately I can cope with a loss like this, but would rather the money went into my savings account .

The Letting Agent seemed a bit shirty with me (Exact words:What do you expect the landlord to do? Replace the windows !?!) and will not let me have a copy of the inventory report unless I sign for the keys.

My first approach will be to write a letter to the LA and Landlord outlining what I feel should be addressed. What should I be doing, what are my rights, and ultimately what is my recourse?

davidmcn

Why have you not moved in? All of these things sound like items which (if the landlord is even obliged to fix them) can be done without you moving out again.

custardy

Well you went through this 2 years ago

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5441001/withdrawing-from-a-rental-agreement-not-yet-signed

So not exactly new ground to you.

2 years before you were exchanging contracts on a house

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5059687/exchanging-contracts-on-monday-worried-we-might-have-overpaid

and the year before your girlfriend wanted out of a rental agreement

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4640297/help-girlfriend-signed-tennancy-agreement-in-error

Cakeguts

You can't blame the landlord for the fact that you didn't check the property over properly when you had the chance to view it.



Why were the tenants showing you round?



Was the property "good value for money" or appeared cheap for the area?



The point is that well maintained properties are not the cheapest in the area.

teddysmum

I can understand stains being covered by carpet, but surely the mould, rotten windows and some other items were obvious .

csgohan4

OP looks like your locked in for 6 months, nothing on the list to make the rental uninhabitable. Seems it's a pattern for you from your previous posts.


Perhaps spend more time on viewings, however if you gave that list to the LL before confirming tenancy, they will likely tell you go away as you will be seen as demanding.