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Student House Hell - Need Advice

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  • babyblade41
    babyblade41 Posts: 3,933 Forumite
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    I think this thread has moved on from the OP.

    If the door has broke and LL won't fix it after going through proper channels then fix it deduct amount from rent..make sure you have gone through the proper channels though

    Damp if not evident on viewing to the extent you say must be a life style problem .. read up on how to de humidify rooms .. I would say drying washing on rads and showers without ventilation

    If after all this then still not a happy bunny give ones notice and move to a better student/private let

    Living in Oxford where even student rents are huge my daughter was paying a massive amount of rent albeit working full time and studying .. the LL didn't commit any faux pas but did sail in the wind a few times.

    To air on the LL's side they are not to know what students they have in and basically if you are a good tenant the LL will reciprocate in most cases
    Either repair, deduct and get on or whinge and move on and make sure they look a little more into it than "how wonderful , we have our independence " in the next let

    LL and tenants are a 2 way street .. if as some complained about a LL lining his own pockets then try being one for a month.. I was predominantly multi let commercial for many years and quite honestly it would have been easier taking care of a class of pre school children , they would have had more common sense.

    It's not about X amount of rent they are getting, look into what they have to do.. not forgetting financial risk buying the property in the first place.

    Yes there are rogue LL's but just as many rogue tenants
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 33,813 Forumite
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    Condensation and mould are not a lifestyle issue. It is a problem with the fabric of the building.

    Most people can live perfectly well without being told that a problem is theirs because they do things like breathing and washing. We all do that, but we don't all have problems. It is always about how the house is able to react to usual demands. If it is cold and lacking ventilation and insulation then it's going to be a struggle. It isn't simply about opening windows and holding your breath.

    To suggest that it didn't exist if it wasn't visible before the OP moved in is to suggest that a landlord has never painted over mould between tenants!

    OP, local authorities do have private tenancy officers that can examine the house and put pressure on the landlord to make necessary changes if there are unacceptable elements.

    As it stands, I guess you're much of the way through this year now. It would be a good idea to look early for a house with a decent landlord for next academic year. It would be an idea to get some feedback from the present tenants rather than leaving it to chance.
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • lookstraightahead
    lookstraightahead Posts: 5,540 Forumite
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    Do not, under any circumstances, deduct costs from your rent !!!!!
  • lookstraightahead
    lookstraightahead Posts: 5,540 Forumite
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    My daughters landlord at uni is fab. They fix what they should and very quickly. They are getting loads of money for student lets and have a duty to act professionally.

    Babyblade - can you clarify, was your daughter one of 3/4/5 who were paying student rent or did she have the luxury of her own place?
  • parkrunner
    parkrunner Posts: 2,610 Forumite
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    Use the front inside door handle to engage the deadbolts, then use the back door to come and go. You haven't said there is a problem with that door.........................
    It's nothing , not nothink.
  • MalcRH12
    MalcRH12 Posts: 58 Forumite
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    It sounds like the landlord doesn't really care about anything other than the money. Mould ridden properties are not acceptable and there are things that can and should be done to fix the issue. It is a health hazard and can lead to respiratory problems such as Asthma. I would move out as soon as practically possible because your health is worth more. With regards to getting the landlord to fix the issues, you are rubbing on an empty lamp.
  • lookstraightahead
    lookstraightahead Posts: 5,540 Forumite
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    I'm not sure why any student should expect any less than private working tenants. They are paying more between them than families. It's a rip off most of the time anyway. It's not "how it is" any more than being discriminated against.
  • lookstraightahead
    lookstraightahead Posts: 5,540 Forumite
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    parkrunner wrote: »
    Use the front inside door handle to engage the deadbolts, then use the back door to come and go. You haven't said there is a problem with that door.........................

    So long as it's only temporary. Even students are entitled to a front door.
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
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    lookstraightahead wrote: »
    I'm not sure why any student should expect any less than private working tenants. They are paying more between them than families. It's a rip off most of the time anyway. It's not "how it is" any more than being discriminated against.



    But the vast majority of discrimination is perfectly legal.


    In this case students put up with worse conditions because LLs generally don't want to rent to students; so you tend to have a smaller pool to choose from.
  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 46,968 Ambassador
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    Comms69 wrote: »
    But the vast majority of discrimination is perfectly legal.


    In this case students put up with worse conditions because LLs generally don't want to rent to students; so you tend to have a smaller pool to choose from.

    I disagree. Landlords in heavily populated student areas expect to let to students. Then run their tenancies August to August, they plan maintenance for student holidays, they sign students up Dec-Jan etc
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