Help me get out of my rental agreement

Cat246marie

Help is much appreciated and I would like to say if you have nothing nice to say or something smart don't comment.

I moved into a studio in August after a 5 minute show around. On arrival I presumed the blinds were blackouts and the fridge included a freezer as it was one you put under the counter.

Since living there I have noted a number of faults such as poor insulation, strange requests from the landlord such as opening windows every day and to leave heating on.

I was promised the windows that are rotting will be removed etc.

I am paying an extortionate amount for the place and was to leave it. There is no break clause and I was wondering if there isa way around it.

To put it into perspective I be 

[Deleted User]

It seems the only outstanding point is the windows. However, that will almost certainly be a longer-term job, not a quick fix. 

I'm not sure what the issue is re the blinds and freezer. It also seems excessive - not to mention expensive - to shop daily. 

You could speak to the landlord to see if they would be amendable to shortening the term, for example if you can find a replacement, but keep your hopes low.

owenjt

You could try to reach an agreement with your landlord to end your tenancy? Citizens Advice has some useful info.

bargainbetty

I am going to be a bearer of bad news. This is not being smart, it is a factual response. 

If you didn't check/ask about the blinds or freezer, your assumption is irrelevant unless the lease specifies their inclusion. 

Being a nurse is irrelevant. 

Isolating/ordering food daily is irrelevant. (If you have a fridge, there is no reason why you are ordering daily so that won't help your cause either)

If the insulation is poor, the landlord is probably asking you to ensure there is proper ventilation to prevent condensation and mould. Perfectly normal way to handle it, but you don't have to comply. He cannot force you to have the heating on all the time or open windows, and you are within your rights to ignore it. 

Ask the landlord about the time frame for replacing the windows. If it is too long, then give yourself some DIY insulation with clingfilm/wrap and a hairdryer (look online, there will be YouTube videos). 

Ultimately, you can ask your landlord if they will accept that your circumstances have changed and let you out early. Otherwise, you don't really have a leg to stand on legally unless there is a substantial flaw in the contract. It's unlikely.  

Sorry, I know it's not what you want to hear. I wish you the best of luck making it more habitable for the interim. 

Pixie5740

Cat246marie said:

Help is much appreciated and I would like to say if you have nothing nice to say or something smart don't comment.

I moved into a studio in August after a 5 minute show around. On arrival I presumed the blinds were blackouts and the fridge included a freezer as it was one you put under the counter.

Since living there I have noted a number of faults such as poor insulation, strange requests from the landlord such as opening windows every day and to leave heating on.

I was promised the windows that are rotting will be removed etc.

I am paying an extortionate amount for the place and was to leave it. There is no break clause and I was wondering if there isa way around it.

To put it into perspective I be cheaper renting a one bed flat with my boyfriend then here.

Can anyone advice I'm a nurse and currently isolating having to order food daily and it's not feezable.

Your options are not going to change no matter how many threads you start on the same subject. 

If you want to leave early and there’s no break clause then you will need to try and negotiate an early surrender with your landlord which your landlord has every right to say no to. 

pinkshoes

You will need to negotiate with your landlord.

WRITE to the landlord pointing out that the tenancy was taken out with the promise that the rotten windows would be replaced, so could he please let you know (in writing) when this work will be taking place, and if he is unable to carry out the work you would like your tenancy ending so you can rent somewhere else.

Regarding the blinds, that's down to you making a wrong assumption, but black out material is very cheap.

Regarding the undercounter fridge, again you made an assumption rather than asking. Most undercounter fridges don't have a freezer section, or at best a tiny ice compartment, so you could always buy yourself a freezer or see if you can get a small second hand one? You can get a mini freezer for less than £100.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/search-keywords/xx_xx_30215_xx_xx/mini+freezer/1_20/price-asc/xx-criteria.html

lincroft1710

This is the 3rd thread you have started on the same subject.

i know you say this is a studio, but is it part of a converted house or a converted outbuilding. If the latter and it is a poor conversion with substandard insulation, there is a chance your council's Private Sector Housing Officer may declare it unfit for letting and/or order the landlord to carry out essential repairs

saajan_12

Cat246marie said:

Help is much appreciated and I would like to say if you have nothing nice to say or something smart don't comment.

I moved into a studio in August after a 5 minute show around. On arrival I presumed the blinds were blackouts and the fridge included a freezer as it was one you put under the counter.

Since living there I have noted a number of faults such as poor insulation, strange requests from the landlord such as opening windows every day and to leave heating on.

I was promised the windows that are rotting will be removed etc.

I am paying an extortionate amount for the place and was to leave it. There is no break clause and I was wondering if there isa way around it.

To put it into perspective I be cheaper renting a one bed flat with my boyfriend then here.

Can anyone advice I'm a nurse and currently isolating having to order food daily and it's not feezable.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6306897/how-to-break-out-of-a-contract
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6307885/get-out-of-my-tenancy

Background on the above threads. 
OP, you cant keep making threads until you get what you want to hear. None of the things you mention constitute contract breaches on the part of the LL as it was up to you to check, or refuse to sign if you just got a "5 min show around". So, you have no grounds to breach or unilatterally change the contract yourself and leave early. 

You can either stay put, or negotiate with the LL and pay whatever reasonable figure they want in order to let you out early. 

Cat246marie

Deleted_User said:

It seems the only outstanding point is the windows. However, that will almost certainly be a longer-term job, not a quick fix. 

I'm not sure what the issue is re the blinds and freezer. It also seems excessive - not to mention expensive - to shop daily. 

You could speak to the landlord to see if they would be amendable to shortening the term, for example if you can find a replacement, but keep your hopes low.

I am isolating for 10 days I'm a nurse so need to have food when I need to isolate

Cat246marie

I'm looking for advice not people telling me that x y and z. You swear no one has made a mistake. I have a flat next to me who have had 4 tenants move in and out. 

dimbo61

Have you checked the EPC for the property ? It must be an E or better. 

https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates