Sewage access in Lounge & manhole tiled over & damp walls in kitchen since 1yr

flori_2

Last week and weekend we had sewage gas in our lounge. Found out that a sewage access is in the build-in wardrobe in the lounge. Anglian Water could get the blockage in the pipes away, but private company Drain Doctors said, manhole is tiled over in the bathroom and sewage access should be outside the house.

This flat is a nightmare from the start as the Landlords behaving as if flat problems would manage themselves. They like to say with an emotional sound "What can I do?" and are doing nothing.

We are good tenants, two professionals; we are inconspicuous, tidy, pay on time and getting on very well with all neighbours.

But unfortunately since we moved in last summer we have an ongoing problem with damp in the kitchen. It always came from upstairs. Damage of the wall was never repaired or decorated.
2 weeks ago we had to call the fire brigade as water was pouring into our kitchen at 5 a clock in the morning. Firemen find a hose connected to a wash machine stripped away in the empty flat upstairs.

Are there some laws or regulation how much you can reduce your rent? How much compensation we can claim?

Where can I find a Tenant Union in the UK?

Thanks and regards

MissMoneypenny

Contact your local councils private housing/ environmental health about the ongoing problems. They have the power to place an order on your LL.

Have you got house contents insurance and have legal cover on it? It might be called Family cover. The insurers should have a legal helpline or might give you a solicitor (for just the cost of your normal excess on your policy) to take action against the LL for you, for compensation. Credit cards sometimes have a legal helpline too. Failing that, email shelter and ask them for their advice.

I would look for a new LL if I was you, preferably someone who is renting their own house out as they tend to be better taken care of than the BTL properties.

Lomion

Give your notice and move. Plenty of responsible LL out there.

tbs624

flori wrote: »

Last week and weekend we had sewage gas in our lounge. Found out that a sewage access is in the build-in wardrobe in the lounge. Anglian Water could get the blockage in the pipes away, but private company Drain Doctors said, manhole is tiled over in the bathroom and sewage access should be outside the house.

Your local Council’s Environmental Health Officer should be able to help with this, although the maintenance of drains within a property are the responsibility of the owner, there is obviously public health issues & relevant regulations that define what needs to be done.

.........since we moved in last summer we have an ongoing problem with damp in the kitchen. It always came from upstairs. Damage of the wall was never repaired or decorated.

The LL has to keep the structure of the building in good repair. Always put any repairs issues to your LL/LA in writing and keep a copy. If the property has ongoing damp issues, again the EHO can help, as can the Private Tenancies Officer within the Council Housing dept.

2 weeks ago we had to call the fire brigade as water was pouring into our kitchen at 5 a clock in the morning. Firemen find a hose connected to a wash machine stripped away in the empty flat upstairs.

Unless the LL also owns the property above, you can’t really blame them for this one IMO, although they should get it sorted it out for you

Are there some laws or regulation how much you can reduce your rent? How much compensation we can claim?
Where can I find a Tenant Union in the UK?

It's not that straightforward: my suggestion would be that you don’t withhold any of your rent without getting qualified advice first. You should get local legal advice if you think that you ought to receive compensation. There isn’t a general Tenants' Union, as such, that can give you help with this but as well as the Council Housing Dept help, as Miss M says above , you can contact the housing charity Shelter for help and information.