Can I end my contract??

kiri46

Hi,
I really need some help regarding my new flat.
I have recently moved into an ex council flat for which I am paying £400 per month, I am in uni and working until 10pm at night to afford it.
Firstly, when we moved in the sinks were all blocked and we had no gas or electricity, fair enough that has been sorted now. When we went to view the flat there was no boiler because they were fitting a new one which we assumed to be for central heating. However, it is just a water heater which intermittently works. All the letting agency says is 'you knew what it was like when you moved in'. Consequently the house is freezing. We have to wear coats,shoes and sit under blankets all night, not just due to poor heating but due to the type of windows there are. There are little vents at the top for optional draft but when they are closed they arent efficient and there is a constant draft. There is no way an old person or baby could live there.

Another thing is the neighbours, they are council tenants and I have already complained to them about it. They have parties EVERY night, they fight and shout and the other night they set fire to the flats causing us all to be evacuated at 3am (i had been in uni from 7am and working till 1am the following morning) then when we went back in the noise continued. I am exhausted and getting no sleep which I believe is detrimental to mine and everyone elses health. I am also genuinely concerned for my safety. I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety disorder and it is making it worse.

The contract is for 6 months, is there any way i can get out of it?
Thanks alot!

Debt_Free_Chick

kiri46 wrote: »

Hi,
I really need some help regarding my new flat.
I have recently moved into an ex council flat for which I am paying £400 per month, I am in uni and working until 10pm at night to afford it.
Firstly, when we moved in the sinks were all blocked and we had no gas or electricity, fair enough that has been sorted now. When we went to view the flat there was no boiler because they were fitting a new one which we assumed to be for central heating. However, it is just a water heater which intermittently works. All the letting agency says is 'you knew what it was like when you moved in'.

Do you have an agreement and an inventory. Does either describe the property as including central heating or a boiler? Tell us what the agreement/inventory states.

Another thing is the neighbours, they are council tenants and I have already complained to them about it. They have parties EVERY night, they fight and shout and the other night they set fire to the flats causing us all to be evacuated at 3am (i had been in uni from 7am and working till 1am the following morning) then when we went back in the noise continued. I am exhausted and getting no sleep which I believe is detrimental to mine and everyone elses health. I am also genuinely concerned for my safety. I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety disorder and it is making it worse.

Who did you complain to?

Have you kept a diary of all these incidences - dates, times, description of nuisance, names of those responsible (if you know them)?

The contract is for 6 months, is there any way i can get out of it?
Thanks alot!

Not on what's posted here, no - sorry.

But post back with answers and we'll try and help.

I assume this is a private letting i.e. with a private landlord?

MrShed

No basically. But I will answer in more detail when I get a second at work

kiri46

To be honest, i saw the advertisement on the internet and it was just described as a 3 bed flat and on our actual agreement it doesn't say anything about the flats description. It is our fault for not checking about the central heating but surely they have to provide a comfortable environment? its like living in an igloo!

I have complained to the council and yes i have kept a diary and recorded any incident numbers from the police.

This is with a private landlord through a letting agency.

thanks

Debt_Free_Chick

kiri46 wrote: »

To be honest, i saw the advertisement on the internet and it was just described as a 3 bed flat and on our actual agreement it doesn't say anything about the flats description.

So you just have a tenancy agreement, yes? And no list of the condition of the property and any contents/fittings?

Are you sure you have a proper, legal tenancy agreement?

It is our fault for not checking about the central heating but surely they have to provide a comfortable environment?

But there is no obligation to provide any heating at all in any property - sorry. In addition, you rented it "as it was" at the start of the agreement (with the addition of a new water heater).

its like living in an igloo!

Well, it's a personal thing, but I beg to differ - I've been without CH for more than 18 months now But that's irrelevant. The main thing is that no landlord is under any obligation to provide heating.

I have complained to the council and yes i have kept a diary and recorded any incident numbers from the police.

This is with a private landlord through a letting agency.

thanks

Have you registered a complaint for nuisance with the environmental health officer at the local council? What did they say? You should be able to go back with all the evidence from your diary - have you done that? Also, tell the council that the property is rented and give them the landlord's details.

Generali

Go and see your housing officer at college. (S)he'll help you and may be able to apply a little pressure for you.

thesaint

kiri46 wrote: »

Hi,
I really need some help regarding my new flat.
I have recently moved into an ex council flat for which I am paying £400 per month,
<snip>
Another thing is the neighbours, they are council tenants and I have already complained to them about it.

Who did you expect?

thesaint

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

But there is no obligation to provide any heating at all in any property - sorry. In addition, you rented it "as it was" at the start of the agreement (with the addition of a new water heater).

I never knew this. :mad:

I would've saved a fortune over the years.

Debt_Free_Chick

thesaint wrote: »

I never knew this. :mad:

I would've saved a fortune over the years.

And charged a premium for being a green eco-friendly landlord :rotfl: