Can i stop paying rent?

[Hisnamesblaine]

Basically I have the worst landlord in the world. Promises to fix things........ takes years if done at all. He promised last winter to insulate the loft. Still no joy. I also need his address for insurance purposes. I texted and rang him 4 weeks ago. No joy. Kept on every few days. No joy. Can't find him on facebook etc. Should I cancel the direct debit so that way he has to contact me?

What have you asked him to do that he hasn't done?

No, you can't.

Not a good idea.

I believe shelter (the charity) always advise that you do not stop paying rent, if there are problems.

Stop paying rent will definitely make the problem go away. It won’t be your house for much longer.

Could you ask the lettings agency you presumably got the house from?

But you are legally entitled to his address I believe.

Read this: www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/2014/05/29/a-tenants-right-to-know-his-landlords-address/

You can possibly temporarily withhold it until he provides an address, but not for not doing repairs it sounds like.

No I wouldn't just stop paying. He could evict you.

This page tells you all you need to know. england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/what_to_do_if_your_landlord_wont_do_repairs

Do everything in writing, several times. If he doesn't sort things out I'd shop him to environmental health and then consider getting the jobs done yourself and deducting from rent - but be sure to tell him in writing before you do this so you can prove it was reasonable.

I'm not sure that loft insulation is something you can demand he should do, though I agree it's crap he hasn't done it.

No, never ever stop paying rent. That automatically puts you in the wrong. Can you get their contact details from the deposit protection scheme?

His address should be on your tenancy agreement.

I would recommend contacting your local citizens advice bureau in the first instance and explain that your landlord is not fulfilling his duties.

Sorry should have gave more info. I wouldn't stop paying rent as such. Just cancel the direct debit so that he has to get in contact with me. Then re instate it. If that makes sense. We need a new gas safety certificate. Work on the roof missing slates. The old boiler site needs boarded up. Loft insulation etc etc. He has been the worst landlord ever. We have leaks every winter. Also out fincial circumstances have changed and I think we may be entitled to universal credit but I can't advance with the process as I need his address

The gas safety certificate is a biggie. Contact the council and tell them.

Where are you?In some parts of the UK landlords have to register and the register is public.

There must be an address on your tenancy agreement, even if its the letting agents address. Wont that do for most of these purposes?

Ring Shelter.

Is it for insurance or benefits that you need his address? I've never heard of insurance needing your landlord's details, and I'm guessing he won't have either.

He moves literally every 6 months. I'm in the Midlands. The previous address we have for him he hasn't lived there for over 4 years