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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Landlords selling my substandard home

49 replies

chitofftheshovel · 05/09/2018 22:36

This may be long but I'll keep it as brief as possible.

I've rented this house for almost four years. As a single mum on housing benefit with a dog I was lucky to find a letting agent who would take me on. I have always been a good tenant, paid my rent on time and looked after the property.

There were quite a few niggles from the start. It took them almost a year to replace the shower that went from freezing to scalding within seconds when we first moved in, for example.

Things went from bad to worse. My bedroom developed black mould on the sloping ceiling and water stains at the top of the wall where it meets the sloping ceiling. There was also a furry type of white mould on the wall.I ran a very good dehumidifier almost constantly emptying the 2 litre tank 3/4 times a week. My sitting room wall had the same white mould. And the wall in the dining room was crumbling.

The letting agents did six monthly visits, and saw all of the deterioration but did not instigate repairs despite me verbally asking.

During an inspection late August 2017 the agent declared that it looked like my bedroom ceiling would cave in. After her visit I decided to get a bit tougher and demand the work that needed done be done. They sent cowboy after cowboy who did half jobs and the problems soon camr back.

In December 2017 the same agent that visited told me on the phone "xxxx and I recognise that your home is substandard" but when I asked she would not put that in writing. I also explained that I was afraid that if I complained too much (demanded my rights as a tenant) that I would be kicked out. Agent said this would not happen.

Fast forward again to 4 months ago. During heavy rain there was water literally running down my wall. Of course I let the letting agents know. Nothing was done.
Then I came back from a week away, my bedroom floor sodden and water had obviously been running down the wall. My bedroom ceiling was sagging quite badly and when I went to take a photograph of it I pressed my hand on it and it crumbled to a 3 inch hole. Its glaringly obvious there is a leak in the roof (and I'd told them thats what I suspected all along)

Letting agents sent odd jobs men round. One said it was out of his level of expertise. One was willing to give it a bash.
But Bloody hell a serious job like that needs actual roofers.
So I e mailed the letting agents to that effect.

They sent one roofing company round. Then 6 days later they told me that they wanted another two quotes which to me would have been the obvious thing to do in the first place. It just seems like they are dragging their heels.

And then guess what? I get a phone call from the letting agent saying that the owner has decided to sell and can they pass my details to quickbuyers to arrange them coming to value the house. Owner is selling, and presumably will be giving me two months notice very soon.

AIBU to be pissed off. Is there anything I can do? I am almost certain that if I hadn't pushed for actual roofers the house would not be being put on the market.

Sorry, I told you it would be long.

OP posts:
LRDtheFeministDragon · 05/09/2018 22:39

It sounds horrible, and I would also be really fed up.

But, it also sounds like the sort of work that can't be done with someone living there. It might be that if you'd put up with it without saying anything they'd have continued obliviously, but it sounds barely liveable anyway.

TBH I think it's clear you just have horrible landlords and there's nothing you could have done differently.

BarbarianMum · 05/09/2018 22:43

Well if the house is substandard and the landlord can't afford to fix it then selling it would seem the best option. You're not being kicked out because you complained, youre (presumably) being asked to leave as its illegal to be charging rent for something unfit for human habitation. As you dont like living in sub- standard accomodation (as well you shouldn't) then its probably all for the best.

chitofftheshovel · 05/09/2018 22:50

lrd the letting agents have known the issues all along just chose to bury their heads in the sand.

barbarian aye it is best in the long run, just grates on me that having been told that they recognised it is substandard in December last year they did sweet fa to rectify it.

Should have said the owner is going through her insurance company so not too out of pocket.

OP posts:
Dayz0fft4 · 05/09/2018 22:51

The landlord probably doesn't have funds to repair the roof and do other improvements or may be just not interested in doing them. Do you really want to live somewhere with leaks, that will probably get worse and think about the winter months. Houses are a bit like cars, if they start to cost loads, it's better to cut your losses. Suggest start looking for somewhere better to live

hibbledibble · 05/09/2018 22:52

I agree it sounds like the best action all round.

The landlord cannot afford/cannot manage repairs of this scale, so is selling the house. The buyer will assess the damage and pay accordingly.

The landlord has a right to give you notice, and to sell the house, so there isn't much that can be done.

You could ask the landlord if the property could be sold as a buy to let with you as a tenant in situ, but this could effect the sale price and mean the current landlord is not likely to agree to it.

jacks11 · 05/09/2018 22:53

Whilst it is clear your landlord and the letting agency are awful- nobody should have a damp and mouldy house. The mould should have been sorted/ repairs should have been done promptly.

That said, I'm not sure if you can prevent the owner selling the house. I'm not sure if it would be advisable to follow the tactic of "staying put" until evicted so you can say to the council that you have been made homeless rather than being voluntarily homeless? That could potentially delay the sale- not sure if they can sell with a tenant in-situ who is refusing to move. If they can't sell in those circumstances then the Landlord would then have to wait until you are evicted to sell. I wouldn't normally advocate that approach- and I am not an expert, so could well be wrong- but your landlord doesn't sound like they are behaving properly, so I'd not be too bothered about inconveniencing/annoying them.

hibbledibble · 05/09/2018 22:53

Landlord likely won't be able to claim for a replacement roof under the insurance as it is wear and tear.

EmeraldVillage · 05/09/2018 22:57

Op read this carefully
england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/revenge_eviction_if_you_ask_for_repairs

jacks11 · 05/09/2018 22:57

sorry, posted too soon

However, although you may be able to delay things by not co-operating I don't think I'd do that because I would have thought you're best off out if this place. It's damp, mouldy and in a poor state of repair. Your LL doesn't get repairs done promptly and the agency are substandard.

Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise. I hope you can find something better.

CSIblonde · 05/09/2018 22:58

Go on Gov.UK, 'renting & your rights' . It's an illegal eviction if you have any of these:
No gas safety certificate
No energy certificate
No details of Deposit scheme
No Govt 'How to Rent' Guide

However I'd move, all that's a deathtrap health wise. Revenge evictions after you complain are now a criminal offence too BTW.

chitofftheshovel · 05/09/2018 23:02

jacks the staying put until evicted has been suggested to me. I'm not sure I have the brass neck to be honest but we'll see what comes out in the wash.

I haven't been given notice yet but feel it's imminent. I really feel wronged by the letting agent and land lady.

OP posts:
jacks11 · 05/09/2018 23:05

CSI

But from reading shelters info the LL could say this is not a revenge eviction? Shelter says that revenge evictions are only valid if eviction notice served after written complaint to LL or council (OP only mentions verbal complaint, not written- unless I missed it. In the event that LL can genuinely prove they are selling the property then there is no protection from "revenge eviction". Or have I read that wrong?

chitofftheshovel · 05/09/2018 23:10

emerald thank you. Had a quick squizz, there may be something there for me.
It certainly feels like revenge.
csi i might not have made it clear on OP but I do have quite a good paper trail as well.

OP posts:
SingaSong12 · 05/09/2018 23:16

If you have access I suggest you go to/phone/contact Shelter to ask for their advice on how to proceed, in particular regarding how your particular council may regard a homelessness application. You sound like you do already but do keep a record of all your interactions with the landlord/letting agent and photos with dates of the various issues. If you are using Shelter or other advice websites make sure you are on the correct part of the country (Ie Scotland/Wales/England/NI)

Flowers
SingaSong12 · 05/09/2018 23:17

Sorry xpost on paperwork

stayathomer · 05/09/2018 23:17

I'm not sure I under what the issue is? I honestly mean that(sorry!) If your living in somewhere substandard is it not better you move out? Can you find something new? Do you have someone you could live with in the meantime?

buttermilkwaffles · 05/09/2018 23:21

@CSIblonde I had none of those and was still evicted.

According to Google:
What is the fine for no gas safety certificate?
Penalties Breach of the regulations is a criminal offence with the Health & Safety Executive empowered to bring proceedings. Landlords and/or managing agents can be convicted for non-compliance. The standard penalty is a £6,000 fine for each item and/or 6 months imprisonment.

I had none for 10 years and there was no penalty for the landlord. It may well be illegal and carry a penalty but that's worthless if nobody is ever prosecuted.

Seeingadistance · 05/09/2018 23:22

It sounds like the landlord, having seen how much it's going to cost to fix the roof - which won't be covered by insurance - has decided to cut their losses and sell the house as a doer upper.

It's shocking and horrible that you've been living in such a damp, mouldy property for so long, but as pp have said, you'd be better off finding a warm, dry house to rent - and hopefully getting a better landlord.

buttermilkwaffles · 05/09/2018 23:36

@chitofftheshovel This group on Facebook is quit helpful - they give free advice to any tenants regardless of the name.
www.facebook.com/groups/tenantsupport/about/

www.facebook.com/groups/tenantsupport/

LeftRightCentre · 05/09/2018 23:38

I think your best course of action would be to find out your council's definition of homeless and go that route.

chitofftheshovel · 05/09/2018 23:43

stay yes its better that I move out but it is incredibly difficult to find places that accept children, pets and housing benefit.

Plus moving actually costs a small fortune. I feel if they had been on it as letting agents the problem would not have escalated.

OP posts:
chitofftheshovel · 05/09/2018 23:45

butter thank you, I shall ask the facebook page the morrow.

OP posts:
Hellywelly10 · 05/09/2018 23:47

You need to stay in the property until you are evicted if you wish to be rehomed by the council. Alternatively they may rehome you if the home us unfit for habitation. This would be assessed by environmental health. Its not your fault op.

PurpleTigerLove · 06/09/2018 00:06

The landlord is a disgrace . I would start looking for a new house asap. Don’t stay until you’re evicted , that’s a really shitty thing to do and if they go to the high court you won’t be given more than an hours warning to vacate.

PurpleTigerLove · 06/09/2018 00:07

I don’t think the council have to house you if the reason you can’t find a property is because you have pets and don’t work .