Rental Nightmares

leahvic

Hi All,


Please excuse me if this thread has been discussed elsewhere, this is my first time posting.


I moved into my current flat in May on a one year tenancy that was supported by my employer as I was on a sabbatical placement which has since become permanent. The flat itself is a top floor one bedroom flat with access to the loft.


My issue is with the roof, there is no insulation in the loft at all, also the double glazing in the living room doesn't line up properly and has a terrible draft. On top of this there is an issue I've reported on numerous occasions to my landlord with damp coming from the dormer windows and the roof itself which means I've got numerous cracks to the plaster work appearing and damp in the kitchen and bedroom.


I'd like some advice on what I can do to heat the flat. Currently the flat is very cold, even with the heating on (I'm assuming this is because of the lack of insulation and drafty windows) and with the winter on the way it's only going to get colder.


As the rental is in my employers name I cannot leave the flat and I am tied into a 12 month tenancy.


Does anyone have any tips on how to keep the flat warm this winter? I really can't afford a huge hike in utility bills so can't just turn my heating up.


Thank you in advance!

CakeCrusader

The loft needs insulating really. It's worth taking a look at this, there's often a criteria (income usually); https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-cavity-loft-insulation/ and window tape should help too; https://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-Interior-Weather-Sealing-30-Foot/dp/B0000CBIFF



It's worthwhile speaking to Shelter about your landlord as they will be able to give you some advice; https://www.shelter.org.uk/

Working_Mum

hello leahvic,
there is a thread here called "Preparing for Winter" and it has some really cool tips and suggestions for heating and winter-proofing your home.

Check it out as I feel certain you'll come away with some easy to implement ideas which will not cost the earth!

Fire_Fox

Welcome to MSE.

Given the issues you describe it would be extremely difficult to keep this flat warm and dry over winter. The temptation to stop up draughts and reduce ventilation could lead to condensation damp and mould, which only increases the risk to your health.

It is in your employer's best interests for you to stay in a healthy/ safe property. BUT they can only know the extent of the problem if you involve them!

With all that in mind ... formally report disrepair, damage and maintenance issues in writing - letter or e-mail - to your employers (the tenant/ your landlord). Copy to to the flat owner (their landlord, you are subletting) and copy to Environmental Health at the local council.

Take digital photographs of the penetrating damp/ cracks/ secondary glazing, to include with your report. "Very cold" is subjective and thus difficult to act upon; consider purchasing a couple of cheap digital gadgets to objectively measure room temperature and relative humidity. A gadget is only couple of quid on a well known auction site.

To help keep you feeling warm in the short-term, you might buy an electric underblanket for your bed, an electric heated throw for your sofa, and wear a lightweight thermal hat when moving around (much body heat lost is through the head). But do understand that does not address all of the risks to your health of a damp and inadequately heated property.

HTH.

G_M

Who is your landlord? What does 'facilitated' mean?


It sounds like your employers rent the flat from the owner and either sub-let it to you (do you pay them rent? Get rent deducted from salary?), or have given you the flat for free?


That being so, it is your employer who you should be writing to.


On the other hand, if the emplyer simply 'facilitated' your rental agreement with the owner, and the owner is your landlord, then your employer is no longer of any relevance.


* Repairing Obligations: the law, common misconceptions, reporting/enforcing, retaliatory eviction & the new tenant protection (2015)

leahvic

G_M wrote: »

Who is your landlord? What does 'facilitated' mean?


It sounds like your employers rent the flat from the owner and either sub-let it to you (do you pay them rent? Get rent deducted from salary?), or have given you the flat for free?


That being so, it is your employer who you should be writing to.


On the other hand, if the emplyer simply 'facilitated' your rental agreement with the owner, and the owner is your landlord, then your employer is no longer of any relevance.


Thank you for your reply.


My employer rents the property from the landlord and I have an amount of the rent deducted from my pay, my employer then pays the remainder. I'm assuming this technically means I am subletting. The landlord however has only been in communication with myself and not my employer.


As I only have 6 months remaining on the years tenancy agreement I'm not sure how likely they will be to implement any long term repairs but they are aware of the situation with the landlord (i.e. I have forwarded all of the correspondence)


I will raise the issues with them again but for now I feel like I am in a bit of a catch-22.

Davesnave

What did the EPC you should have received in relation to the property say about its energy efficiency? What band is it in?


It's now illegal to rent out property with a rating below E. This might/might not provide leverage.