Alternative accomm while repairs carried out – privately renting

aleen

AdrianC wrote: »

They don't have a choice...

They're having a laugh, right?

Not necessarily - it's not THAT big a job. Letting it dry out once the floor's up is going to be the longest part.



That puts the "We can't afford to pay for the work - can you pay rent in advance?" into perspective, don'cha think?



I don't think it's the landlord who's being "cheap" here... You'd be using electricity and gas in the flat, too, and you'd still be paying rent. I doubt the plumber will use much more than a few quid of electricity at all, unless they put a heater to help dry it out.

She has to provide one.
End of.
She is providing one.
Job jobbed.
If she cannot provide one, the tenancy is frustrated, and you're released from it and free to move...



You don't have to be "comfortable". You have to be housed.


The work has to start as soon as possible. The landlord is under no obligation to provide alternative accommodation for your guests.

By comfortable, that includes hygiene & using some of their belongings, as well as any issues that could arise such as accusing me I stole or destroyed something. As someone said above, living in their house while they are away does blur some lines. Anyway, I don't have a choice, and I don't HAVE to be comfortable, i just have to do it.

I never said I am not willing to pay or that I don't think it's fair. I just find more telling of their character to mention that again, they are doing me a favour by letting me stay there and not expecting anything, but gas and electric. They have worded everything as if it's a favour to me. An expense that's likely to be say £50 to them, even if they'd have to pay that, they would be getting away cheap. Add to that the they asked I contribute to the cost. A friend just told me how her LL housed her and her partner during a burst pipe in the kitchen in a hotel, covering two meals a day, then a serviced apartment, then gave her flowers at the end to apologise for the inconvenience. I have known my landlord for 6 years and believe me they are the worst scrounger, did you read the part about me reporting the state of the bathroom for years, and the leak for at least 6 months? They've ignored it until they now know that EH have seen the state of it. The last plumber that came round was horrified I pay to live there. Also due to their dodgy nature, I know they don't contract reliable tradespeople, so that's how I don't think the work will be done quickly. We had another plumber round a few months ago but he never wanted to do the job. I am also expecting them to not pay the full price to the tradespeople, just things like that.

I am now thinking of offering to pay two months in advance, as a way of stopping them from increasing my rent after this amazing home improvement. And requesting the plumber to try and keep the disruption to a minimum, so we can use our home as much as possible.

silvercar

I have known my landlord for 6 years and believe me they are the worst scrounger, did you read the part about me reporting the state of the bathroom for years, and the leak for at least 6 months? They've ignored it until they now know that EH have seen the state of it. The last plumber that came round was horrified I pay to live there.

Why are you still there? 6 years in a place that a plumber is horrified you pay to live there!!! But you are thinking of offering them rent in advance????

AdrianC

aleen wrote: »

A friend just told me how her LL housed her and her partner during a burst pipe in the kitchen in a hotel, covering two meals a day, then a serviced apartment, then gave her flowers at the end to apologise for the inconvenience.

That is WAY above and beyond the call of duty - good for that landlord!

I have known my landlord for 6 years and believe me they are the worst scrounger, did you read the part about me reporting the state of the bathroom for years, and the leak for at least 6 months? They've ignored it until they now know that EH have seen the state of it. The last plumber that came round was horrified I pay to live there. Also due to their dodgy nature, I know they don't contract reliable tradespeople, so that's how I don't think the work will be done quickly.


I am now thinking of offering to pay two months in advance

Sod that for a game of soldiers.

I'd be looking for somewhere else to live, sharpish, and tell them they can do the bathroom once the property's vacant.

aleen

Not in my interest to move as I gathered too much stuff, too close to baby due date, there is good parking compared to other places, flat is spacious, rent is at the same rate as 6 years ago. Hoping to buy in the next 6 months so I was happy staying put.

They called me again, I offered two months advance as a way of being nice and also to help lock the rent a little. This would be about a grand out of five for the job. She said that's not enough and asked me to borrow money so I can pay the builder. I said I would not pay the builder anyway but pay her by bank transfer and that I am not willing to go into debt for this anyway. Then she informed me rent will go up because I am getting a new bathroom. Then I suggested I wouldn't want to help with the advance at all then. They then tried to scare me that she will repair the floor only as they cannot afford and I won't be getting a nice bathroom anymore. Not long after she suggested they 'll give me 28 days notice as some agent told them they can make more money from this area anyway.

Not sure why I am even telling this story by this point other than for you all to be grateful you don't have to deal with such people

AdrianC

aleen wrote: »

Not in my interest to move as I gathered too much stuff, too close to baby due date
...
Hoping to buy in the next 6 months

<scratches head>

Not sure why I am even telling this story by this point other than for you all to be grateful you don't have to deal with such people

You don't, either. But, yes, it's a balancing act of what compromise to make. Deal with lousy landlord and live in hovel... or have a bit of inconvenience.

pinklady21

FYI - if your landlord fails to carry out repairs despite several requests, you have the right to ask the First Tier Tribunal to order the landlord to carry out the repairs.

https://www.housingandpropertychamber.scot/repairs
The law says that any rented house must meet the "repairing standard". Clearly, a leaking bathroom with rotten floorboards falls well short!

If your landlord is threatening to evict you / increase your rent etc etc, then check your rights, as you may well have more than you realise.

AdrianC

pinklady21 wrote: »

The law says that any rented house must meet the "repairing standard". Clearly, a leaking bathroom with rotten floorboards falls well short!

The landlord is trying to repair the bathroom.

If your landlord is threatening to evict you / increase your rent etc etc

They aren't. The OP just doesn't find the proffered alternative accommodation to their liking.

aleen

AdrianC wrote: »

The landlord is trying to repair the bathroom.



They aren't. The OP just doesn't find the proffered alternative accommodation to their liking.

AdrianC, please point out where I have said I am opposing repairs due to not finding the proposed accommodation acceptable. I have only requested a 5 day delay due to having guests, which I now admit was a mistake on my behalf. I have rectified that Friday(one day after her initial request), when I've told them they can start repair whenever they wish so, and I will happily put my guests in a hotel.

In regards to threats, she did threaten me to carry out a basic repair of the floor rather than redo the bathroom ( there is a second leak in the tiles, the toilet bowl and pipe are loose, all the main pipes are lead which apparently is an issue, bath taps don't open, I only use the shower) if I don't contribute two to three thousand pounds to her expense. Please explain how it's justifiable for someone to force my hand at borrowing them cash - they wanted me to pay the builder in cash in their absence, and they wanted me to borrow this money when I said I don't have it. They also threatened to increase my rent once the repairs are done (and because repairs are done) and then give me 28 days notice to evict when I indicated I would either pay two months advance, or agree to an increased rent, but not both. If they would said they wish to increase rent as it has not been reviewed in 6 years and it does not align with market trends, I would have not blinked an eye.

I understand you want to give fair and accurate advice, which I appreciate, but I struggle to see why you are making me sound like the unreasonable individual here.

pinklady21 - I have read the legislation for Scotland's PRTs: Private Residential Tenancy. They have to give me 84 days notice for eviction and 3 months notice for the rent increase.

AdrianC

aleen wrote: »

AdrianC, please point out where I have said I am opposing repairs due to not finding the proposed accommodation acceptable.

That's certainly how I read this...

aleen wrote: »

What are my rights/her obligations in regards to alternative places to live? I will not be comfortable in the landlord's house obviously – I don’t have family that I can stay with. I can possibly ask some friends but 3-4 weeks is quite a lot.

aleen wrote: »

I would not want to move out
...
Regarding living in their house, should I just be grateful this was offered and take it?

aleen wrote: »

it looks like I would have to accept the alternative accommodation, or find my own and ask for a reduction in rent

...before finally accepting...

aleen wrote: »

As someone said above, living in their house while they are away does blur some lines. Anyway, I don't have a choice, and I don't HAVE to be comfortable, i just have to do it.

I still don't know why you're even contemplating lending them money - which is what you're doing by paying rent up front...

aleen

AdrianC, sorry I was not able to get my point across. Yes I do not fancy moving in their house at all, so I jumped over here to ask what other options I have ( but not to oppose the start of work) , eg if I would be able to either get them to pay the cost of an alternative accommodation, or a reduction in rent if I stay with friends etc.Still didn't find the answer to this to be honest, as in, does any rule force them to provide me with accommodation or cover my cost. There is a bit on Shelter Scotland about it but it is not backed up by any links to legislation. I have tried calling my local private housing person in the council but couldn't get through. So I am trying to do my own research outside of here as well.

You must of took the line about 'I would not want to move out' out of context as this is in regards to ending the tenancy and moving out and not returning - yes, I am not looking to end this tenancy and find myself a new home at this time.

I was contemplating lending money as a way of appearing nice and understanding, I personally would not want to contribute anymore after seeing how they've approached the whole problem, but my partner who is softer, might choose to. After the show they put on Friday I've decided I am not willing to deal with them anymore and OH can sort it. They've brought me to tears when they went from acting as I was being done a favour, to begging money to throwing eviction threats, and it's not even the first time they make me cry, just an unpleasant person overall. I've made it clear that they can start the work anytime, so I have done my part really.

Can I ask AdrianC if you are a landlord yourself? I'm fairly new on the forum as you might be able to tell.