Tenant rights - rodent infestation

AmyTa

This title might be a bit dramatic, but long story short I'm wondering if there are any protections for me as a tenant.

After a year of complaining to the agents for my rental about rodents in the walls, I made a recent contact requesting landlord details but also forewarning I will contact the council (someone advised I do this here I believe)

So due to the landlord allowing the property to go in disrepair, a pest control person carried out an investigation and found evidence of both rats and mice in the infrastructure, due to an area of the building being destroyed in the storms earlier in the year (I reported this right away. But no one did anything)

It seems like the landlords will be forced to do something from this, but I'm worried that this will trigger a rental increase. I'm wondering whether there's anything I could do if that happens, because rentals have already increased in the area, plus the building is in major disrepair so feels grotesque. 

I'm on a rolling contact however. Does anyone have any advice? 

jj_43

It’s sounds like one of those typical landlord and tenant relationships where the property is not maintained financially or physically. Perhaps it will prompt the landlord to charge market rents so the property is in better condition, or more likely based upon performance to date they will do the minimum low cost fix and do whatever they do (which is not maintaining their property).

Alderbank

Which country are you in?

anselld

In order to increase rent the Landlord would need to serve a valid s13 notice.  If the proposed rent increase is considered unfair it can be challenged at the Tribunal.

   https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-privately/during-your-tenancy/challenging-a-rent-increase/

AmyTa

anselld said:

In order to increase rent the Landlord would need to serve a valid s13 notice.  If the proposed rent increase is considered unfair it can be challenged at the Tribunal.

   https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-privately/during-your-tenancy/challenging-a-rent-increase/

This is really helpful, thank you. I did try calling my local, citizens advice but was on hold for nearly an hour. 

AmyTa

Alderbank said:

Which country are you in?

In the UK

AmyTa

jj_43 said:

It’s sounds like one of those typical landlord and tenant relationships where the property is not maintained financially or physically. Perhaps it will prompt the landlord to charge market rents so the property is in better condition, or more likely based upon performance to date they will do the minimum low cost fix and do whatever they do (which is not maintaining their property).

The landlords haven't done any work on the property.. All the issues of the building that has contributed to rats and mice are things I raised in a flat inspection at the start of the year before they appeared. 

But I can't rule out inadequacy of the agents, as when I told them rodents are in the infrastructure, some young lad that worked there said 'you best buy some traps then'. 

tealady

AmyTa, where in the UK please as the laws vary according to whether you are in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Chrysalis

jj_43 said:

It’s sounds like one of those typical landlord and tenant relationships where the property is not maintained financially or physically. Perhaps it will prompt the landlord to charge market rents so the property is in better condition, or more likely based upon performance to date they will do the minimum low cost fix and do whatever they do (which is not maintaining their property).

Banning of S21 will help address this stuff, as there is a rent tribunal service, however because there is S21, the tribunal has no effective power as a landlord can simply do a no fault eviction if they dont like the decision or even dont like the fact it was escalated in the first place.

The biggest thing the rental market needs right now is scrapping of S21, but sadly the existing plans are likely to be scrapped under Truss.

theartfullodger

In the UK eh?  There are 4 countries, with different laws e.g. N.I., Wales..

Which country please? Or should I guess England.....

Cheers & thanks in advance....

deannagone

If you haven't already seen it, this might help.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/pests_and_vermin_infestations_in_rented_homes