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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To my landlord/managing agent?

14 replies

Isitjustme0 · 03/02/2020 13:38

2nd post today sorry if that’s annoying (I am new on here 😅 so have a backlog!)

I have been living in a flat in London since Feb. Since moving in I haven’t had many issues with the managing agent, I was sceptical as they have a few very bad reviews online but needed a flat asap so went for it.

My TV satellite stopped working in October meaning I can’t watch any TV (sky or satellite channels). I have emailed the managing agent many times asking them to organise/follow up with the contractor (the landlord only uses 1 contractor) to come and fix it, to which I am told that they have tried to get in touch with the contractor but have had no response and they will let me know when they hear back. It’s been 3 months. I had enough - I pay for sky and have given them reasonable time to sort this. So I called the contractor (after digging on google I found them), and surprisingly they picked up and organised to come and fix the issue. I told the managing agent and their response was thank you and ‘let us know if there is anything else we can help with’ (😂).. I came home the day that the contractor said they will attend and the satellite still isn’t working. I sent a long email to managing agent to say it isn’t working, that to my knowledge nobody came and how I am confused by the situation and would like to understand what is going on! She replied that they did come and it should work but that they will come again on 5 Feb to look again and that I should follow their procedure of the tenant never contacting the contractor and basically gave me a telling off for it.

Was I unreasonable? What are my rights if the tv is still not fixed and the managing agent continues to blatantly lie? I feel there are no rights for tenants! If I make a complaint about the managing agent they’ll likely serve me notice so I won’t do that or should I?

OP posts:
WhenISnappedAndFarted · 03/02/2020 13:42

Are you sure it's your landlords responsibility? I'm a tenant and would assume this would be upto me to get fixed.

CSIblonde · 03/02/2020 13:43

Tell them you'll fix it & take the cost off the rent unless it's fixed by a certain date in writing. They won't want their rent payment to go down so that may work. Otherwise, do you have Landlord contact details on the contract? He may not know they're not providing managing service they promised. Happens a lot in London, they're happy to take LL money but treat tenants like an inconvenience.

Original poster
Isitjustme0 · 03/02/2020 13:44

It’s landlords responsibility because it’s to do with the wiring of the property rather than my TV/the sky satellite

OP posts:
Original poster
Isitjustme0 · 03/02/2020 13:45

@CSIblonde I did that - got a reply that essentially that was not allowed and knowing what they are like they’ll chuck us out for breaching the contract or something! No clue who the landlord is - have thought of that but my investigative skills only go so far ☹️😂

OP posts:
Shmithecat2 · 03/02/2020 13:49

@Isitjustme0

No clue who your landlord is? Confused Do you have a lease/tenancy agreement?

Original poster
Isitjustme0 · 03/02/2020 13:51

@Shmithecat2 I do yep, I can’t remember what’s in there tbh - do they have to show who the landlord is? Also worried if I contact the landlord directly it will further P off the managing agent which I’m worried about but may have no choice! It just concerns me as what if this was a more serious issue than a TV satellite..

OP posts:
BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 03/02/2020 13:58

Is the sattelite part of your tenancy agreement then. Would have thought it would be up to you but totally depends on your contract.

Alarae · 03/02/2020 13:58

Pretty sure by law the agents have to give you contact details for your landlord.

If they use the agents address as a c/o address though I'm not sure what happens in those circumstances..

Original poster
Isitjustme0 · 03/02/2020 13:59

Yeah but if it was the sky satellite it would be my problem, they know it is their problem they just clearly are trying to not tell the landlord he needs to pay for something and I’m not sure what I can do about that

OP posts:
BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 03/02/2020 13:59

How is it a wiring problem? Sounds odd, are all the other electrical appliances in your house working. Do not with hold rent like a PP has suggested, a sure way for your contract not to be renewed.

CSIblonde · 03/02/2020 14:02

His contact details will be on the tenancy agreement. They can't give you notice without consulting him, so shopping them isn't going to end up like that if he's a decent landlord but they're a crappy agent. They're not doing what he's paid them to do, of course they don't want you speaking to him! Your position is stronger than theirs at present.

Original poster
Isitjustme0 · 03/02/2020 17:09

I think other flats have the same issue so it is something to do with the communal building. Thanks all!

OP posts:
HavenDilemma · 03/02/2020 18:05

Op go onto the Shelter website and onto their live chat. They will give you free advice on what your rights are

IndecentFeminist · 03/02/2020 18:29

You can't withold rent for something like this from memory

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