First letter in new flat- Pest control

silverchair

Hi

I posted a few days ago about moving into a new flat & paying double rent etc.

Anyway went to our new flat for the first time since signing contracts and discovered a letter/ printout under our door. How exciting our first letter in new flat (I thought). Unfortunately it was pest control saying we missed their visit (first I heard). They had put pics of ants, mice/rats & cockroaches on it. OH phoned landlord who said that it was routine & the council just do this. Still dont know what little pest it is.

Radiator is also leaking fluid. Does this affect our gas bill? Will it make it more expensive? First time I've had gas central heating.

Landlord also offered us a deal (have also posted this deal on utility board). We can pay Landlord a fixed amount each month for our gas, electric & water. But all utilities will be in their name. What do you think? What should I expect to pay per month for gas, electric & water (2 bed flat, 2 adults both working, double glazing throughout)

Not sure what to do about all of the above. Since its our new landlord & other half said they sound very nice. How should I go about this.

kunekune

Warning: this might be because the LL has a residential mortgage and doesn't want to alert the utility companies to the fact he isn't living in the house. If that's the case, then your AST won't protect you in the event of a repossession, which can be very unpleasant. And if he is making this suggestion, then he knows it too.

Other dangers: obviously, that you are charged far more than is appropriate, and thirdly, that if you don't have records of paying utility bills, it is a real pain proving identity/address next time you come to rent/buy/change bank accounts, all kinds of stuff.

Ask some questions. Nice landlords can screw tenants too.

dexters_mum_2

I'm sorry I can't help on the Pest Control Issue but I would be wary of paying someone else for utilities, if the bills are in their names. If they don't pay the bill and come to take the meter away in the worst case scenario, how would you prove you have paid, a company won't look favourably on this, they'd ask you why you were giving money to your landlord for your bills, you just don't know what he would be spending the money on!!

Good luck with it all

silverchair

Thanx for that.
I think Im going to pay our own bills. Just need to find out where the meter is.
Also would the leaking radiators have an affect on the gas bill?

Snooze

silverchair wrote: »

Also would the leaking radiators have an affect on the gas bill?

In the short-term probably not. GCH is a sealed system and once it's been filled up to pressure with water from the inlet tap at installation then the same water is just continually circulated round the system over and over again. If you've got a leak in that system then the boiler can't do its job properly as the pressure is continually dropping and that water is being replaced by air. Boilers don't work good heating air...

You need to get that fixed..

Rob

olly300

silverchair wrote: »

Hi
Anyway went to our new flat for the first time since signing contracts and discovered a letter/ printout under our door. How exciting our first letter in new flat (I thought). Unfortunately it was pest control saying we missed their visit (first I heard). They had put pics of ants, mice/rats & cockroaches on it. OH phoned landlord who said that it was routine & the council just do this. Still dont know what little pest it is.

The pest may be in your flat or in another flat in the block. There is no way of knowing until you get in touch with pest control.

silverchair

Hi

Just phoned up pest people (who were very nice & helpful). Its not just one pest thats a problem. They had a problem with mice a year ago & their just doing checks (as the mice were dealt with) & they have a problem with cockroaches.

Im really annoyed as this flat is stretching us (bout 900 month) & now there are all these problems.

LL obviously knew about the pests.