Renting, Rat/Maggot/Fly infestation HELP ASAP

rheme

The majority of our tenancy agreements do state that infestation is the tenants responsibility in a separate clause.

I take it that you do not have this separate clause in your tenancy agreement. If this is the case then they cannot apply a clause they have in other tenancy agreements to you if it is not in yours in the first place.

I would suspect that they do not have any such clause and they are just coming up with something in an effort to try and get you to take on their responsibility.

As per previous advice get hold of Environmental Health Department who can probably serve some sort of prohibition/enforcement notice on the Landlord.

Good luck.

Catblue

Their logic is all over the place, and they are just trying to fob you off, obviously.

They have confirmed that pest infestation and control is not stated in YOUR agreement (although they do say that they do have this clause in the majority of their tenancy agreements).

If it is entirely your responsibility, then why is the landlord ordering this sonic device to deal with it?

Write back to them, saying:

Thank you for confirming that your standard infestation clause is not present in my tenancy agreement.

Please forward details of your complaints procedure immediately.

Loretta

rheme wrote: »

The majority of our tenancy agreements do state that infestation is the tenants responsibility in a separate clause.

I take it that you do not have this separate clause in your tenancy agreement. If this is the case then they cannot apply a clause they have in other tenancy agreements to you if it is not in yours in the first place.

I would suspect that they do not have any such clause and they are just coming up with something in an effort to try and get you to take on their responsibility.

As per previous advice get hold of Environmental Health Department who can probably serve some sort of prohibition/enforcement notice on the Landlord.

Good luck.

Do very many of the houses this LA deals with have infestation problems?!! they do seem to be experienced with this and have all the answers!

SquatNow

weegie.geek wrote: »

I wonder how the letting agent's would like opening the shop in the morning to find someone's posted a rat corpse through their letterbox?

DEAD rats sounds pointless.

Bag a few with some human traps and release them in the LA office when no-one is looking.

Or just put them on the desk. Officially as they are part of the property you can't just throw them away, so you could just ask the LA to pass them onto the landlord.

Then watch as the LA receptionist screams and climbs onto the filing cabinate.

Alleycat

Sounds like you have very strong grounds for a claim for damages. The landlord/agent has admitted liability, the pest controller has confirmed that the problem was present and known about prior to the property being let to you. I don't have my font of all knowledge book on repairs but will take it home with me tomorrow and have a read for the relevant legislation.

If I remember correctly though, this would come under the Environmental Protection Act. The Landlord does have a responsibility to deal with infestations and take all reasonable steps to sort it out. Not just sending in the Pest Controller, but pest proofing the building, dealing with any entry routes etc.

If you have a local housing advice service available to you, I would strongly suggest a visit.

biv

Move out, collect everything in a bag, walk in there and tip it all out on their desk. Hand in keys and walk away.

Seriously though, there's no point trying to negotiate with asses like this. Just walk out and slate the estate agent and property all over the internet, posting address, phone numbers etc. and keep them updated on the damage you're doing and the popularity of the sites concerned. Be relentless.

SquatNow

I've changed my mind.

Contact the local papers. Get the reporters and photographers around.

You'll make the front cover 100% guaranteed.

And the LA will be back on their knees begging.

purple12

Sounds very distressing Like others, I'd say there should be someone in the local council who deals with privately rented properties and their habitation and it would be very useful to speak to them.
Press is also a very good suggestion!

ninasimone_2

THIS IS JUST GETTING MORE AND MORE STRANGE!!!

THE EA IS NOW CLAIMING THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROPERTY & THE LANDLORD IS. EVEN THOUGH WHEN WE STARTING HAVING THE PROBLEM THE LANDLORD SAID THEY (LETTIG AGENT) WOULD DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND CONTACT US..

EA REPLY THIS MORNING

"Thank you.As I keep informing YOU I do not manage this property, I am not responsible in any way for the day to day running, complaints or
repairs.I strongly recommend that you inform LANDLORD of all your
thoughts/actions.I would like to point out that if you have removed the cooker provided by LANDLORD, you are required to leave a cooker. Like for like"


THIS IS REALLY STARTING TO CONFUSE ME!!!

ADVICE PLEASE:mad:

ameliarate

Please give us an update.