Rental house in a mess when moved in.

nomywell

My daughter is in a student house share and the place was in a complete mess when they moved in, as well as genuinely unsafe. The electrics were dodgy with plug sockets so close to the floor as to be impossible to plug anything in safely. The main doors had previous break-in damage and would not lock securely. There was dangerously broken chairs, dirty cupboards, flooring and carpets etc. Messy garden, shower not working, broken furniture....the list goes on and on. The management company are so far refusing any lowering of the rent as they say the works will be done. But the rent is £800 per week and so far after 10 days, the work is outstanding. It's basically not fit for purpose. As we have signed the contract, what power do we have?

Any help most gratefully received as the only information I can find out there is during the tenancy and in regards to landlords rights.

Slithery

Surely this was all visible when your daughter viewed the property?
Why did she sign the tenancy agreement?

nomywell

Slithery said:

Surely this was all visible when your daughter viewed the property?
Why did she sign the tenancy agreement?

Due to Covid, nobody was able to view the property. It was a very brief online guide. That's part of why we feel so angry about it. So much was done in good faith.

elsien

Is this housing associated with the university or a completely private arrangement?
I though house viewings was one of the things that was allowed to go ahead during Covid - a student relative was able to view before signing. Just wondering if it was the agent refused to allow viewings? 

If she thinks the place is genuinely unsafe then she could contact environmental health, although it does sound like the work is being done anyway. Has she complained directly to the landlord?
FWIW some older houses do have lower plug sockets - mine is like that. 

Was there a check in inventory logging all the issues? If not, has she taken photos or video? 

theartfullodger

Sorry we have yet another example of terrible service from landlord & agents.

The tenants (ie not parents) should write calm polite letter, using Shelter draft, here..
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/how_to_report_repairs_to_a_private_landlord
- to landlord (yes landlord), copy agent, keep copy listing all issues .

(Their contract is with whoever is named as landlord, usually no agent, yes appreciate everything set up by agent.

Also they should get any advice from Uni accommodation office (or similar names).

Plus take LOADS of photos, high-def, ideally date & time stamped. 

Then follow further advice on Shelter link..

Plus go through letting agents complaints process: When that's failed, use the agent redress scheme - see for details...

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/letting_agent_redress_schemes

I do hope this isn't one of my properties....


Good luck!

theoretica

Were they supplied with an electrical safety certificate?

531063

Has a Inventory been signed/completed 

nomywell

Thank you for all the replies, much appreciated. I will follow that link @theartfullodger thanks!

In answer to the questions; It's a private landlord going via a management company. Apparently he's just taken it on from the university. We were told by the agent that no viewings were possible. This was back in April. The reason given was Covid, together with students being is residence so as to negate distancing rules etc. 

We did see the Electrical certificate, but it's 4 years old. I believe it's valid for 5. I know plugs are low down in older properties, but these are so low that once something is plugged in (which you can barely do), the flex on the floor is so close to the carpet that it pulls the plug out - so you can imagine the concern. It looks to me like they never replaced carpets, just layed a new one down on top of the previous. One socket has actually been turned upside down so as to allow the use of it!

There was an inventory done 2 days after they moved in! Loads, and loads of videos and photos have been taken.

comeandgo

Would a multi plug adapters help with the low plugs.  There are some that you put into the original plug hole and the extension part rises above the original plug.  Amazon have these for sale and one day I will be able to do links.

Jenni_D

Something like this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mscien-Extension-Adaptor-Individual-Switches/dp/B08RHS3JG1

This would be another alternative - obviously you wouldn't be able to use the front socket: https://www.amazon.co.uk/PIBEEX-Extension-Outlets-Adapter-Socket/dp/B08M98964N/