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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To with hold rent to landlord..

61 replies

mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 07:34

Because he isn't maintaing the maintenance of the property. I've got failed double glazing. Two fence panels have fallen down. And two days before Xmas two windows shattered due to age and cold weather. First to things happened early 2012. We contacted landlord again Monday he just says we will ring?? Is it now beyond a joke??

OP posts:
Paiviaso · 10/01/2013 08:53

YABU, and YABVU unreasonable if you owe him money Shock

MrsBucketxx · 10/01/2013 08:55

Beg steal or norrow the amount for the arrears, youll have a better footing to get repairs done. Not in small amounts.

Your lucky you haven't veen evicted.

Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 08:55

I would just change my dd and pay him directly!! Yes some r saying fence isn't necessity.. It is when neighbours have kids an need their security! I'm sure it says in contract he has to maintain property which he clearly isn't! And yes I still owe rent so I'm not denying that

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Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 08:58

Maybe I am lucky but he has never said eviction has been an option o personally if he was going to evict it would have been done when arrears came up. Ad yes it may be an option in future but then he still needs to bring house up to scratch so either way work is required

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Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 09:00

It took 3 years for him to replace kitchen that fell apart

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Jengnr · 10/01/2013 09:03

If you withhold rent put it in a separate account so you have it when the repairs are done and you can prove you didn't withhold with no intention to pay.

Legally he has to make the house fit to be inhabited and it clearly isn't. I'd get the rent arrears up to speed asap too but the arrears aren't the issue here.

Go and see the CAB sharpish. If you complain about him you're more likely to give him the kick up the arse he needs to sort out his responsibilities.

Lonecatwithkitten · 10/01/2013 09:06

I would split these into order of priority and tackle each separately.

  1. Broken windows as reduce heating efficiency and affect security.
  1. Fence panels appreciate need to keep children in, but this is less important to landlord
  1. Failed double glazing unit looks unsightly, but does not need immediate attention and he maybe trying to make a claim on a FENSA certificate for this that can take a along time to resolve.

On the other side having rent arrears going back 4 years is very generous and if you can you should try and chip some of this even if it is only £10 per month.

Sunnywithshowers · 10/01/2013 09:06

You can give Shelter a call - they can advise you of your rights.

Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 09:07

Just spoke to him he said to make a list of jobs that need doing and accused me of reporting him to head office in London!!!! We didn't even know ho was in London !!! He since apologised as he was mixed up! He said to write a written negotiation for the arrears!!! Still no word on window though

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Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 09:10

I said to him the arrears will be pain work is done !! He just gets now ty as I can't help but be extra nice to him otherwise I'd just shout haha

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Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 09:10

Heating efficiency..... My boiler is over 20 years old!! Won't even go there on hearing or hot water

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MrsBucketxx · 10/01/2013 09:14

If its condensation on the inside, not between the panels I would not be fixing it as you put it as its still intact.

I get this sometimes and my home is only a year old.

Fence panels are another matter though

Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 09:15

I'm more concerned bout broken window myself! It's currently patched up with polythene!!!!

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MrsBucketxx · 10/01/2013 09:17

Your heating will have to have a certificate yearly to say it works and its safe, if you have this and it works he won't have to change it.

Maybe you should pay your debts and move into a modern property.

MrsBucketxx · 10/01/2013 09:18

Ok he needs to fix this.

Does he not care about his investment

LessMissAbs · 10/01/2013 09:27

My central heating system in my main house is 25 years old, and works perfectly well.

How on earth do not one, but two, windows, spontaneously shatter? Did you actually break them? Ditto the metal fence posts (not exactly a necessity). And what do you mean by "failed" double glazing - is it just condensation?

You've already had two months free accommodation, you haven't bothered to get a payment plan in place for the debt (have you consistently failed to agree to a payment plan for arrears in writing?) you owe to your landlord, and now I suspect you are trying to get more free accommodation.

I suspect your landlord is hoping you will move out, without causing the expense of eviction, or the months of unpaid rent which would undoutedly follow if he did serve notice on you. To be frank, he'd probably be better with his property empty than with a non-rent paying tenant causing damage.

pleasestoptalking · 10/01/2013 09:33

I'm really confused by this post. Why aren't you paying him the money you owe him?

You seem to think he's being cheeky by only bringing up the money you owe him when there's work to be done on the house. Perhaps he's thinks you've got a cheek not paying your rent and therefore is reluctant to spend money on it.

I think you are being unreasonable. Pay your rent then you are in a stronger position to either demand the repairs are done or find somewhere else.

Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 09:34

Nope we didn't break them otherwise I'd be claiming house insurance ... We changed banks and was confusing with transfers! If I wanted free accommodation I'd never pay rent I've lived here six years rent error was 4 and never missed since so no not in for free ride! Like where I live same street and actually same landlord as my grandmother! If I deliberately made trouble for myself that would put her at risk and at 72 I don't think so!!!! The window was already cracked when we moved in and they didn't sort it!! As for arrears they have only queried it when we seek maintenance on property! So it's not just me who hasn't paid he hasn't chased up so I'm entirety not fully to blame!

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Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 09:34

They didnt shatter they caved in

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LessMissAbs · 10/01/2013 09:41

Your kitchen "fell apart" too?

Do you get housing benefit? If so, I'm not sure you are entitled to withhold rent. I don't think you are entitled to withhold rent anyway.

If it was a mere matter of confusion over changing banks, why have you not simply paid your unpaid rent by now? What an appalling attitude.

I don't find this plausible.

Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 09:42

Nope no benefits!!

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LessMissAbs · 10/01/2013 09:43

So it's not just me who hasn't paid he hasn't chased up so I'm entirety not fully to blame!

This must surely be a spoof thread?

Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 09:45

I wish!!! Nothing "spoof" bout having no eating since Xmas as its literally out the window

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specialsubject · 10/01/2013 09:46

if it is that bad for that long, why have you not given notice and moved? I can't understand people who complain about crap landlords but continue to live there.

two wrongs don't make a right. Pay your debts.

Original poster
mrsL1984 · 10/01/2013 09:48

Mt gran lives on her own down the street is main reason. Good area! Granted house is one that jack built but if he did the work it be nice!! Yes I agent paid whats owed but if I being fatty pants like he is then e contractually hasn't maintained property!

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