Tell me I'm not BU (landlord related)

[icovetthee]

I've been living in this house with my DP and two DC's under 5 for almost two years. It's a nice house but has a lot of problems.

1. The boiler is old (around 10 years) and the control knobs that control the heat of the water no longer work. The landlord has known about this for a year and a half and has done nothing about it.
   

1. The back window that's 3.5ft high and opens inwards doesn't lock. The handle doesn't go all the way down to lock so while it looks closed a big shove from the outside will push it in. Landlord said it's fine as we're an end of terrace house with two 20ft walls either side of us.
   

1. The plaster is coming off the walls due to damp. We painted the hallway as there were some marks and every time we used the roller the roller would pick up more plaster than paint. The same in the dining room. Nothing has been done.
   

1. The DC's bedroom had thick, green mould on the windowsill and walls. We contacted the landlord and he said it was our fault for not properly ventilating the place. DP did it himself by cleaning, resealing, putting in a new windowsill as the old one was literally rotting etc. Yesterday we discovered huge patches of black and green mould in the alcoves we use as wardrobes in our room and on our windowsill. I have asthma and two young children and he has refused to come out until the 8th to look at it as he has his children home from university (yet lives around the corner).
   

We can't move privately with or without an agency as we have no money (I'm on disability and DP is on JSA) and the council have told us since we're adequately housed it could take two years bidding on the list. My dad has urged me to go in with photographic evidence on Monday and explain that the house is unsafe to see what they say. I know Enviornmental Health can get involved but I'm scared we'll end up evicted as we have nowhere to go.

There are some things we are to blame for for example the gas fire in the lounge was turned off and deemed unsafe because DC2 had messed with the coals and we haven't replaced them yet (£40 for this particular fire) and the carpet on the stairs needs replacing when we can afford to/decide to leave as the stains are our dog's fault. I don't think IABU to be pissed off with our shitty landlord. We deal directly with him as it's a private tenancy and he won't bother to fix anything if it doesn't cost him less than a tenner. What makes it worse is that we're paying £550 a month to live here when other properties similar in the area are only £475-500 and they aren't directly opposite a busy pub where glasses get smashed into our front garden during arguments every weekend.

I'm off to the council Monday morning to show them the photos etc and get all my eggs in a basket but I'm livid that he's known about all of this for so long and just refuses to do it. I'd be a bit happier if he'd just lower the rent to cover the fact that he's a bit crap and we'd do most of the cheap repairs as DP is a dab hand a DIY but we know that's very unrealistic.

I appreciate if IABU and a bit stroppy but I needed a rant :(

[fergoose]

Have you checked with Warm Front - you may be entitled to a new boiler/heating system

[Fairyegg]

Have you looked into buttletrust as well? They sometimes give you money for new essistials. Things will get better .

[icovetthee]

I got a bit defensive but it didn't offend NeverQuiteSure. I'm just so worried about losing this place as we really do call it home. I don't think our LL wants to evict us as a) he'd be hard pushed to find tenants for £550 and b) we do do a lot.

DP was just saying we should go to EH and the police then when he comes on the 8th present him with what needs doing in a list. He can pay out of pocket to do it all within 4 months and if he doesn't we go to EH or he can dock our rent and we can reseal, keep on top of the mould, fix the window etc our of our own pocket if he can try to sort out the boiler. He would be less out of pocket doing it our way. I don't think it sounds like blackmail but I can see how some might think it does. Does it? It will be with careful wording, obviously. I'd also like our tenancy to go from assured shorthold to fixed term, be that 6 months or a year as I've just found out with shorthold he could evict us within 2 weeks if he wanted to !

[Misty9]

Unfortunately, you are experiencing the joy that is renting I'm afraid. Our house (£775pcm) is riddled with damp: the paint is peeling off in places and the kitchen cupboards stink of mildew so badly that we can't use some of them. Mould grows at the drop of a hat and none of the radiators work properly (not a bleeding problem, probably sludge build up). But, we rent through an agency and IMO they're all inefficient and basically out to do as little as possible. We have rented a lot of houses...

Not sure that EH would do much tbh, but check your contract wrt the window - did you have a contract? Also, look into getting a dehumidifier - we've got a mini one cheap from Aldi in the kitchen. Prob go cheap second hand? And ventilation ventilation ventilation. Even if its cold :)

Definitely worth approaching the LL to reduce rent - esp if you're doing remedial works or improving the place! I'd offer to go halves on material costs, not pay for it all yourselves.

Good luck

[Misty9]

Two weeks?! Are you sure? Assured shorthold is the bog standard tenancy type and our LL has to give us 2 MONTHS (unless we break the contract).

[icovetthee]

Fergoose Have found the Welsh equivalent and will give them a call. Thank you so much.

[notnagging]

I do feel for you but if its that bad why did you say you'll stay if he lowers the rent?

[icovetthee]

Sorry, it's 2 months. I read it wrong! The landlord doesn't need to give the court a reason unlike with a fixed term though. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, my head is fuzzy.

[Tortington]

you have nothing to lose going to EH. He can't just chuck you out - there is aprocess he must follow and that will make you homeless and you will be more able to bid

[icovetthee]

Because I can't afford to move notnagging. I'm really unhappy with our conditions but if we could come to a compromise where I could do some things and the landlord could lower the rent then it would be better than staying as we are which seems to be the case now and still paying through the nose.

[alistron1]

Same here. Just spent 3rd xmas without heating/hot water due to a crap boiler. We have a leak in the bathroom which made our hall ceiling collapse (ceiling repaired - leak not!) and our kitchen sink is held up by 2 planks of wood. There are issues with the wiring in the house too and the guttering is fecked.

We've been here for 11 years and the LL has done nothing in terms of maintenance. We decorate etc, but TBH it's got to a point where the structural jobs/leaks and age of bathroom/kitchen fixtures are beyond our scope. I really couldn't understand why I had to spend my money redecorating my hall due to the ceiling collapse caused by a leak that I'd reported but hadn't been fixed. And then i had to watch my efforts being ruined by the continxzuing leak!!

I know some sections of mumsnet think that renters are 'scum' and don't deserve normal home comforts - but I think it's scandalous that when people pay their full rent on time etc they are subjected to intolerable and substandard living conditions.

We rent from the UK's largest residential landlord, they are apparently building houses in a move into the social housing market. However where we live they are not maintaining properties, forcing tenants out due to the poor conditions of the properties and then selling off their housing stock as houses become vacant.

I know that the email I've sent requesting that the repairs be done etc and asking to be reimbursed for the blow heaters etc I've had to shell out for this week will result in our tenancy not being renewed.

The private rental sector sucks TBH.

[icovetthee]

I've written down what we are unhappy about. I've requested a call back from the Welsh equivalent of Warm Front which may be able to help with getting a new boiler, DP is going to the police tomorrow to ask them about the window and Monday we are going to the housing department of the council to ask for advice then on the 8th we will present all of our findings to him and ask about rent negotiations putting it all in his best interest. I think this is all we can do right now apart from looking at loans to move and incurring more debt. At least we'll have a home.

[icovetthee]

alistron That sounds absolutely awful. I'm so sorry :(

[alistron1]

Thanks icovetthee, we're making plans to move on now. It's a shame, nice sized house in a nice area with great neighbours - but the continual drama's with leaks, floods, no heating, ceilings falling down etc is just too much now. And it's not fair on the kids. DD1 is recovering from pneumonia - a week in a cold damp house with no hot water was not what she needed.

My only worry is, if this is our experience with the UK's biggest landlord who are often in the press advising government on regulation/improvements in the housing sector - what's it going to be like 'out there'

[SantasHoHoHo]

alistron. That's appalling. Please seek legal advice in the NY because that's not acceptable.

[alistron1]

Santas, I've looked on the Shelter advice pages and TBH the cards are stacked in the LL's favour. Private tenants in England have literally zero rights. It narks me that in a few days time I'll be paying them over £800 in rent!!!

[BabylonElf]

Wow, I'm amazed. We rent and our LL is fantastic.

Makes me feel very lucky reading some of these posts :(

[notnagging]

Oh sorry op. we are in the same situation btw but our issues seem trivial compared to yours. We are with a social landlord who are rubbish so renting privately sounds 10 times worse. I hope you get it sorted.

[icovetthee]

Jesus. I wouldn't put up with that.

To be fair a few weeks ago our shower was leaking down through our kitchen spotlight light fixture. Not good. After 2 weeks LL finally came out to sort it. Day one he checked it then took the seal off. Day four he came back to reseal. So all in all almost 3 weeks with no shower. Hell, I tell you.

DP is convinced the pressure of the boiler is fucked too. To get hot hot water you need to run it in a small stream in the bath. Not ideal as it takes forever to warm up. Hopefully the Nest agency will help us and give the company a grant to give us a new boiler !!

[icovetthee]

Look at me trying to use HTML on a forum. You know those were meant to be bolded.

[icovetthee]

Hell to fill up not warm up as the water is hot on a small stream.

[VestaCurry]

Really feel for people on here. When I was a child, we lived in some truly shocking rented properties, until eventually my parents were able to buy when I was in my teens. What we went through has never left me. Children trying to recover from pneumonia living in shite conditions in 2012 is so bloody unacceptable .
There are some great landlords around (we know some), but there are some Rigsbys out there who are the lowest of the low. They are the scum. Until the private rental market is overhauled and minimum standards made law, this will only get worse, especially as home ownership has become harder and social housing rarer than hens teeth.

[icovetthee]

I've realised our housing condition is not too bad. I mean, I'm pissed off still but realising that it could be worse. The main points are (hopefully) getting the rent down, seeing if this funding can help get my landlord a new boiler and the window. I hate the mould and I hate what it's doing to me but I will clean it and maintain a good standard of living as I'm quite house proud. I'd love to be here long term too.

Ugh. I can't imagine moving. I feel like from this thread it would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

[Librarina]

Regarding the damp, would you be able to get hold of a dehumidifier? I got one for 50 quid from Argos and it really does make a difference, especially in the winter if you are having to dry clothes indoors. If that's too much money, it might be worth checking somewhere like Freecycle to see if anyone is getting rid of one. Best of luck OP