Rental property with rats at start of tenancy

Jemma01

snowlucas said:

My questions were about the legal positions with the tenancy. We’re hopeful the issue will be resolved and I trust the pest pro. There is a point where this isn’t my property and putting my family through this level of disruption and potential danger (electrical fire) we might prefer to safely leave him to his mess. My understanding however is I have no particular legal right to withhold rent or end the tenancy based on what’s happened so far. 

Have you managed to call Citizen's advice? There are limited situations when rent can be withheld in England (not sure where you said you were), but there are legal processes you need to follow, so please call them if you haven't already, and let us know what they say.

Have you ever notified the landlord in writing? Do you have records of speaking to them about it and when the communication was first initiated? They might have done something, but is that "something" reasonable enough, and sufficient? That's what I'd be asking on the call. Let them guide you if they haven't already.

monkey-fingers

snowlucas said:

It’s a 12 month AST. It’s a private dwelling on the land (its own drive/council tax etc). In England. 

Well fortunately, it isn't. They cease to exist on May 1st. You can give 2 months notice on that date.