Landlord won't carry out repairs

[Dalesgirl16]

Didn't know where to post this! We are renting a house where the landlord won't carry out repairs. We have been there two months and are still waiting for a broken toilet seat to be replaced (since before we moved in); a window to be repaired ( we can't open any in the bedroom as they are both broken but one was broken from before), the letting agent had to come again and fix the third kitchen cabinet that came off as the landlord says it's damage by us, ! The agent says he contacts him about these things but he doesn't answer or get back to him! He is, of course, a multi millionaire apparently! Is there anything we can do? Thanks for any advice!

[DaisysStew]

Ring your town hall. My mum had a problem like this when she was renting privately and they contacted the landlord and read him the riot act. All repairs were done within the week.

[Dalesgirl16]

Thank you. Didn't know that either could intervene if it's a private rental

[FloatyFlo]

Following as I have similar issues. My LL is a multi million pound company! Going to refurbish several of their shops up and down the country while I sit in my damp mouldy cupboards-falling -off -the -walls kitchen, with the cracked asbestos artexed bedroom ceiling that they've been told will come down if they don't get it sorted, and with broken taps, windows, wires and threadbare carpets throughout.

Fucks me off. There's some things I reported 2 years ago.

[Dalesgirl16]

Cretins! I just can't understand the mindset of these people!

[FloatyFlo]

They do it because they can get away with. And money. Profit. I can't work out a way that forces them to do it. The list of maintenance just grows and grows and the quote they've been given by contractors if the work was completed is a rather sizeable chunk as it is. I think it will get to the point where they will just evict us and not re-let it.

[WalkingWolly]

My landlady is the same. Owns most of the rental property in our village. She is the most penny pinching person I’ve ever met.

My bedroom carpet is so threadbear it doesn’t touch any of the walls in the bedroom. Has holes and the floor is visable in places. She came to look at it and said “well it seems fine to me, it’s only a bedroom”

The agents are sick of her but she brings in a load of money so they won’t fall out with her.

[PersianCatLady]

Just out of interest, why did you move into a property that needed repairs?

I only ask this because in some areas people are so desperate for accommodation and LLs can pick and choose tenants that now more than ever before people are putting up with crap homes with crap LLs and as there is barely any choice in the rental market, they don't feel secure enough to ensure that their legal rights are enforced.

[FloatyFlo]

Persian

Because I was 8 months pregnant and 2 weeks away from eviction. No fault of own just our old LL decided to sell up.

We had previously applied for a different house through an estate agents. Paid the £200 application fee. 4 and half weeks later we were told that we didn't get it as my dps work reference hadn't come back within four weeks so the rental went to someone else. We never got that 200 quid back.

Another property we went for a viewing. Liked what we saw. Immediately after the viewing we went straight to the office to put down the application fee and sort deposit only to be told somebody else had a viewing that morning and already applied. Complete waste of time going to view.

There were a very limited number of affordable private rents in the area. The council had added us to the waiting list for social housing but I was really worried about not gettng somewhere in time. We weren't considered a high priority until a baby was born and eviction date was actually here and passed. We were told to expect to temp. Accommodation outside of the area we lived in.

We were told repairs and maintenance would be taken care of.

The rent was slightly cheaper than other places of a similar size.

We didn't realise the extend of how much work needed doing. We've been here 7 yeas and the list has grown and grown and grown.

We now cannot afford to move. Our rent has gone up by £15 in 7 years. Average rental places in my area have increased dramatically over that period. We would now stuggle to afford a one bed place. (Ours is a three bed, we have two children).

[PersianCatLady]

There were a very limited number of affordable private rents in the area
I thought you were going to say that.

I think it is absolutely disgusting that LLs can ignore repairs and the like because tenants have no choice any more.

Seriously someone needs to look at what is going on in the private rental market and do something about it.

I have heard of people asking for things to be repaired, totally within their rights and then finding that their AST is not renewed and instead getting a S21.

The situation is absolutely dire right now, especially in the South.

People are paying a lot of money for substandard accommodation and every 6/12 months there is a chance that they will have to move house, again.

[FloatyFlo]

I think it is absolutely disgusting that LLs can ignore repairs and the like because tenants have no choice any more.

Seriously someone needs to look at what is going on in the private rental market and do something about it.

I agree wholeheartedly. I just don't know what to do or where to begin or where to turn. I'm concerned that if rock the boat too much, I'll be evicted. Don't forget the amount required for deposits has too risen. The application fees, the security deposit, and the first months rent equals around £2000 now. I don't have this right now.

And if my local council had very limited social housing available 7 years ago, I can only imagine how much worse it is now.

If it were just me, I wouldn't be here. I'd have packed a bag and fucked off somewhere a long time ago. Sofa surfed for a bit and then find a single room to rent probably. Heck I'd be happy living in a tent. But I have two children that need the stability of 'home'. And for us, for now, this will have to do.

[PersianCatLady]

I agree wholeheartedly. I just don't know what to do or where to begin or where to turn. I'm concerned that if rock the boat too much, I'll be evicted
It is so wrong. Insist on repairs and run the risk of getting a dreaded S21 at the end of your AST.

Then back to the "rip off merchants" (sorry letting agents) to get back on the merry-go-round.

If I was in charge, I would have a system with the references and checks whereby a prospective tenant paid a fee (£10-£20) for a credit certificate and that would be portable between all LAs and LLs.

None of this £200 for a £3 credit check and then getting turned down for a property anyway.

[PersianCatLady]

And if my local council had very limited social housing available 7 years ago, I can only imagine how much worse it is now
A lot of people know how to play the SH game.

A relative of mine works at one and HOs (Housing Officers) go to visit families with two working adults living in one room with two or three kids.

Because their living situation puts them more in need of housing, they will get a property before someone who is spending every penny of their income renting a two bedroomed flat.

The HOs aren't allowed to take into consideration or even comment on the fact that the family in the one room could PR a bigger place.

SH is all about playing the game now, it is awful.

[specialsubject]

England - report to council , you can't be evicted with disrepair reported. How are all the other legals?

Long term you may need to go to a more affordable area.

[FloatyFlo]

you can't be evicted with disrepair reported.

Of course they can. We have a roll-on tenancy. They can give any excuse to evict us. They can say they want to sell yp for example. In fact do they even have to give a reason? Can't they just serve notice?

They may decide to not put the money into the place, evict us and just not re-let. This is honestly the way I think they will go. The amount of work that needs doing, they won't see the cost worth it. I know they have properties elsewhere that they've decided not to re-let.

Long term you may need to go to a more affordable area.

Because its that easy! And find me anywhere in the south of the country that has 'affordable' private rentals.

[ivykaty44]

Go to your district council and complain to the private rental housing officer

[ivykaty44]

Put yourself on the social housing list, keep bidding for properties and keep yourself on the list at each renewal

Most of it’s done by computer
But if you’re not on the list you won’t ever get SH

Things like how often you bid, how long your on list do count

[PersianCatLady]

Of course they can. We have a roll-on tenancy. They can give any excuse to evict us. They can say they want to sell yp for example. In fact do they even have to give a reason? Can't they just serve notice?
Actually there is some protection from eviction following written notification of need for repairs for tenants whose AST was signed or renewed after 1st October 2015 -
england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/revenge_eviction_if_you_ask_for_repairs

[FloatyFlo]

My tenancy started before Oct 2015

[PersianCatLady]

My tenancy started before Oct 2015
As you have a periodic tenancy now, I don't think you can benefit from this change in the law.

[FloatyFlo]

Bugger!

[Dalesgirl16]

I had no idea where could complain to the council about a private rental. I thought it was just for social housing. V scared to do that as I have a baby and don't want to be evicted. Another kitchen cupboard fell off today! It did not look like anything was broken when we went round for the viewing. You just can't tell!

[FloatyFlo]

Another kitchen cupboard fell off today!

I've had the same! Its so damp in here where there is no ventilation and the walls are fucked, my cupboards are soggy and warped and literally falling off.


V scared to do that as I have a baby and don't want to be evicted.

I feel you. Gosh I'm so glad I'm not alone!

[WindyWednesday]

I’m a landlord. Not a rich one! I have my property done to the standard I would like to live in, actually it’s probably better than my actual house.

Cupboards falling off the walls sound awful. Are you on any housing benefit? If so complain to the local council.

[PersianCatLady]

Cupboards falling off the walls sound awful. Are you on any housing benefit? If so complain to the local council
She can complain to the council even if she isn't getting HB / LHA / UC (HE).