to tell him to stop paying rent?

[Ilikepizza]

Nc for this!

My boyfriend has moved into a temp houseshare. The landlady said 'we don't do contracts' and it was week to week rent payments. There's no smoke alarms in the rooms/fire doors/fire blankets or extinguishers. There's also no Internet yet as they rented all the room within 10 days of completion (they've only just taken it on but have other houses). He's been there two weeks. It's quite a lot of rent for the area, and I'm pretty sure she's trying to do this as an 'under the radar' HMO. At the very least he's not getting what was advertised, but it's probably only for a few more weeks. Wwyd? I kind of want to suggest he stops paying rent until he gets Internet and smoke alarms!

Let her try grin

Try? It won't be very difficult. All she has to do is set his stuff on the front step/footpath. What exactly do you think will stop her?

BandeauSally
Op's uncle apparently.

I would assume "bills inc" to mean gas, electric, water, council tax. I would not expect it to include phone, internet, TV licence. But I would expect smoke alarms and a gas safety certificate.

its definitely illegal, to have a multi occupancy let, they need to provide fire extinguishers, each door needs to be fire rated and fire alarms. I believe the fire alarms are a legal requirement to rent anywhere out now.
The bad news, he doesn't have a rental agreement because this removes any proof he's been renting from the LL.the minute he creates a fuss he's out on his ear, even if this means more illegal tactics.

Tell him to search high and low for a good landlord. They may be hard to find, but god they are worth the search.

Two wrongs don't make a right. Just move out and report to authorities if you think it is warranted.

BandeauSally
Op's uncle apparently.

Oops sorry was distracted and came back to thread but didnt realise it had posted first time.

Op you need to watch the landlord thing on 5 catch-up.
Cannot change his locks because of repercussions. that is funny.
Try telling that to the guy that went home, locks changed and his stuff packed. Police sorry mate it's civil.
What's your mate going to do go to court, and what evidence do you have that you were a tennant and not as the defendant claims a squatter?

I'd be less concerned about whether he should pay his rent and more on why he is staying in a place that doesn't sound very safe.

Just because she's doing things wrong doesnt mean he should stop paying the rent
I think you're looking for any excuse so he doesn't have to pay

I would get out of there. It sounds really unsafe and she sounds like she doesn't care about anything except the money.