Student House Hell - Need Advice

Doozergirl

Comms69 wrote: »

Actually several people have suggested that my response is quite reasonable.


But that aside, it's not about empathy. I'm not suggesting anyone put up with cruddy accommodation; I'm saying that these issues mustve been clear when they viewed; so why take it?

For three pages? It's too late for rhetoric.

Like I said, people buy houses and have surveys and still find things wrong, so why should a student who briefly viewed a property to rent, with zero help or experience, be expected to put up with problems that become clear after they move in?

We are all allowed to contact landlords for repairs and we should expect it to be dealt with by the landlord at the landlord's cost. A door frame hanging off the wall and compromised security isn't minor, and isn't a DIY job for student tenants.

Landlords take high yields from these properties for the additional costs. They shouldn't be having the cake and eating it.

Comms69

Doozergirl wrote: »

For three pages? It's too late for rhetoric. - ok. How many replies am I 'allowed'?

Like I said, people buy houses and have surveys and still find things wrong - yes they do. But a door hanging of the wall? come one now... , so why should a student who briefly viewed a property to rent, with zero help or experience, be expected to put up with problems that become clear after they move in? - So an adult needs their hand holding, over obvious issues? ok

We are all allowed to contact landlords for repairs and we should expect it to be dealt with by the landlord at the landlord's cost. - Yes you are. But forcing a repair is a time consuming process. A door frame hanging off the wall and compromised security isn't minor, and isn't a DIY job for student tenants. - well it's actually quite unclear at this stage. There's 2 doors. The sensible answer is to simply change the lock on door 2 and the property is then secure. It's £10 for a lock, another £10 for getting two additional keys cut (most locks come standard with 2)

Landlords take high yields from these properties for the additional costs. They shouldn't be having the cake and eating it.

Well personally I don't like the hand holding culture. I believe people are responsible for their own decisions. So in this case, if the property is so bad the landlord will not be able to let it again; surely?

lookstraightahead

Comms69 wrote: »

Well personally I don't like the hand holding culture. I believe people are responsible for their own decisions. So in this case, if the property is so bad the landlord will not be able to let it again; surely?

The op came here for advice like anyone else - are you saying everyone has their hand held on this forum?

Why don't you pick a town, any town, with a big uni, and see how student lets work. See how many agents there are placing students. Have a look at some of the streets in, maybe, Selly Oak, surrounding the unis and how many are let to students. Where do you think all these students live? Then when you have all the knowledge that you are adament to pass to your kids, it will be useful for them, to help them make the right decisions. If you want them to live in rubbish accommodation and pay a fortune then so be it. It takes all sorts. You will quite possibly be their guarantor (waits for reaction) so it's best to know these things.

Comms69

lookstraightahead wrote: »

The op came here for advice like anyone else - are you saying everyone has their hand held on this forum? - Not at all. Bu the advice might not necessarily be what they want to hear.

Why don't you pick a town, any town, with a big uni, and see how student lets work. - literally I'm in such a town See how many agents there are placing students. - very, very few. Specialist student lettings companies exist. Have a look at some of the streets in, maybe, Selly Oak, surrounding the unis and how many are let to students. - lots around here too; what's your point? Where do you think all these students live? - on campus, off campus in private lettings, off campus in specialist student accommodation. Then when you have all the knowledge that you are adament to pass to your kids, it will be useful for them, to help them make the right decisions. - In what way exactly? If you want them to live in rubbish accommodation and pay a fortune then so be it. - they wont be. Should they choose to go to uni, which is far from a good idea for the vast majority of jobs, they will be well equipped to choose suitable accommodation. It takes all sorts. You will quite possibly be their guarantor (waits for reaction) so it's best to know these things.

- should I choose to be their guarantor; which is unlikely; I will go into it with my eyes open...

lookstraightahead

Earth to Comms x

Elise1912

Legally, if the property is inhabitable, you are not obliged to pay rent. Can you students union help? Maybe citizens advice? What does your contract say? I would also try to claim back any costs you've incurred as a direct result of LLs breach of contract.

parkrunner

parkrunner wrote: »

Use the front inside door handle to engage the deadbolts, then use the back door to come and go. You haven't said there is a problem with that door.........................

lookstraightahead wrote: »

So long as it's only temporary. Even students are entitled to a front door.

I don't see why, I doubt there is any legislation stating that as many houses only have one entry/exit.

parkrunner

Elise1912 wrote: »

Legally, if the property is inhabitable, you are not obliged to pay rent. Can you students union help? Maybe citizens advice? What does your contract say? I would also try to claim back any costs you've incurred as a direct result of LLs breach of contract.

Nothing that the OP has told us makes the property inhabitable or that there has been a breach of contract.

lookstraightahead

parkrunner wrote: »

I don't see why, I doubt there is any legislation stating that as many houses only have one entry/exit.

Ok if there is one. If it's normal to enter via it. Usually if there is such a door, the alarm entry system is close by. If it's terraced it's probably quite important from a H&S perspective. As bedrooms are usually split between two or more floors, it may well need to be in normal working order as a fire safety precaution.

parkrunner

lookstraightahead wrote: »

Ok if there is one. If it's normal to enter via it. Usually if there is such a door, the alarm entry system is close by. If it's terraced it's probably quite important from a H&S perspective. As bedrooms are usually split between two or more floors, it may well need to be in normal working order as a fire safety precaution.

In this particular instance they can lock and unlock the front door from the inside, just not the outside so I don't hink H&S comes into play.