Landlord slow to do major repairs - unsure of what to do

canaldumidi

deannagone said:

..

Be aware though, that the LL may decide to not be a LL anymore and issue a S21 at the first opportunity (he can't if you are still in a fixed term so you will still have time to find another property).  ....

The Deregulation Act 2015 (S33) protects AST tenants if their tenancy either started, or was renewed, after 1/10/15. Any S21 Notice (the 1st step in eviction) is invalid if

i) the tenant has reported an issue to the LL and
ii) the tenant has complained to the council and
iii) the council has inspected and
iv) the council has issued an improvement notice to the LL

If all the above steps have taken place, the LL cannot serve a valid S21 Notice, and any already served S21 becomes invalid.

Also the case if steps i) & ii) have happened when the S21 is served, and steps iii) & iv) follow.

caprikid1

canaldumidi said:

deannagone said:

..

Be aware though, that the LL may decide to not be a LL anymore and issue a S21 at the first opportunity (he can't if you are still in a fixed term so you will still have time to find another property).  ....

The Deregulation Act 2015 (S33) protects AST tenants if their tenancy either started, or was renewed, after 1/10/15. Any S21 Notice (the 1st step in eviction) is invalid if

i) the tenant has reported an issue to the LL and
ii) the tenant has complained to the council and
iii) the council has inspected and
iv) the council has issued an improvement notice to the LL

If all the above steps have taken place, the LL cannot serve a valid S21 Notice, and any already served S21 becomes invalid.

Also the case if steps i) & ii) have happened when the S21 is served, and steps iii) & iv) follow.

Might prevent eviction, won't prevent a rent increase in line with market rates.

Where there's a will there's a way.

deannagone

And most of these steps haven't taken place yet, so not a lot of use right now.

Also must advise the OP.., please please don't threaten or act on the advice to not pay rent.  You will accumulate rent arrears and this will be included in any reference your LL gives.  And in an area where demand for rental properties is high, you'll be the last one on the approved list. Please be careful.

canaldumidi

deannagone said:

And most of these steps haven't taken place yet, so not a lot of use right now.
....

Hence urging the OP to a) write to the LL asap and b) contact EH asap. Once that is done, even if the LL then serves a valid S21, if the council later takes the subsequent steps the S21 becomes invalid.

Might prevent eviction, won't prevent a rent increase in line with market rates.

That's true of course (assuming periodic tenancy), though would have to be market rate as you say, or tribunal could over-rule.

HampshireH

Amixo3032 said:

Enviromental
health NOW !!

and if I was you threaten to NOT PAY THE LANDLORD / LADY RENT UNTILL THEY SORT THE DAMAGE. 

And if they don’t listen to that , leave the property and find somewhere else 

This is really irresponsible to suggest someone doesn't pay rent and then just leaves. That just puts them in arrears. The money is still owed.

Environmental Health however should be called.

There is as discussed above both a labour and material shortage. However there is a health and safety issue here which your landlord needs to address.

Depending on the age of your property the ceiling could also have asbestos artex on it. Have you checked with your landlord?

If it is a possibility make sure you advise environmental health of that also.

I would be phoning them and emailing photos and concerns over to them.

diggingdude

Amixo3032 said:

Enviromental
health NOW !!

and if I was you threaten to NOT PAY THE LANDLORD / LADY RENT UNTILL THEY SORT THE DAMAGE. 

And if they don’t listen to that , leave the property and find somewhere else 

If you take any advice from this thread, please make sure it isnt this irresponsible advice