Is a lack of Gas Safety Certificate a breach of tenancy on the landlord’s part?

gt94sss2

To minimise costs, for utilities you could move supplier to one that doesn't have a standing charge and it's worth asking the council if you would qualify for any CT discount as you will be living elsewhere..

G_M

The 2 issues are unrelated.


If you did not receive an updated gas report when the previos one expired after 12 months, you should have
* written to the landlord, formally, at the address provided for the purpose, requesting one (you seem to have don this or something similar).
* if that fails, either send a 2nd, final letter, or report direct to HSE see here.


Early Surrender is entirely a matter of negotiation. Unless there is a Break Clause in your tenancy agreement (have you looked?), the LL is under noobligation to agree an ES so he can ask whatever condiions he wants. You can agree his condiions, attempt to negotiate, or stick to the contract you originally signed.

Dan84

To be fair we did know when our tenancy was up for renewal but hoped that the landlord may have been of been understanding of the situation. We’ve been tenants for 3.5 years and paid our rent on time every time and have had literally zero contact.
Maybe a bit too hopeful I guess.

Dan84

Mr.Generous wrote: »

Landlord must be stupid but why on earth didn't you chase up gas safety after 12 months? Tell me its not an all electric flat or something? Oil fired heating?

No definitely gas! It didn’t even cross our minds, until now whereby we’re looking for potential issues/breach.

Dan84

lookstraightahead wrote: »

If I were your landlord I would just say tough. Sorry not sure why you feel entitled not to pay for the goods you are receiving ?

Fair opinion. It is a business. Although we did offer a two month notice period and will be leaving the property vacant and living in our new place. So in theory we don’t really need the additional “goods” anymore.

Dan84

lookstraightahead wrote: »

The landlord also has commitments. They're not there for your benefit, they run a business. What about if out of the blue you didn't get paid from work for four months?

Totally understandable. Business is business.

If I don’t get paid- would I not still be liable for any outstanding rent regardless?

CIS

-if they can’t find a tenant we’re still liable for rent/utilities/council tax etc up until the end of the tenancy.

That depends on the exact specifics of the tenancy period - it is likely you remain liable but it is not a given.

G_M

Dan84 wrote: »

...... hoped that the landlord may have been of been understanding of the situation. We’ve been tenants for 3.5 years and paid our rent on time every time and have had literally zero contact.
Maybe a bit too hopeful I guess.

Ah that's where the cake comes in!


Even if the LL does not do inspections, request one periodically (so you can point out the slipped roof tile that needs fixing), but more importantly so you can give him tea and cake, forge a relationhip, and gain brownie points for the future........

Slinky

Dan84 wrote: »

To be fair we did know when our tenancy was up for renewal but hoped that the landlord may have been of been understanding of the situation. We’ve been tenants for 3.5 years and paid our rent on time every time and have had literally zero contact.
Maybe a bit too hopeful I guess.

Have you been signing new contracts each year, or has the contract just rolled over after the first one ended. If you haven't been signing new contracts, you will automatically have defaulted onto a periodic tenancy, in which case you may only need to give one month's notice.

Slithery

Dan84 wrote: »

We’ve been tenants for 3.5 years and paid our rent on time every time and have had literally zero contact.
Maybe a bit too hopeful I guess.

So have done the absolute minimum required to stick to the legal contract that you signed. You don't get a 'good tenant' bonus for this, it's just expected behaviour.