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Original poster

Personal insults by landlord

30 replies

horriblelandlord · 13/03/2023 10:23

In the context of a heated discussion about being constantly left without hearing and hot water in the property I pay £900 a month to live in, due to a dodgy boiler, (it's broken 5-6 times this year alone for context), the landlord has just called me "a barking nut job" on the phone. I was absolutely stunned into silence and said "sorry what did you just say to me?". He said, "I said you're a nut job, and I couldn't care less about you". Then hung up on me.

What the fuck??! This is surely not OK?

OP posts:
Original poster
horriblelandlord · 13/03/2023 10:39

Anyone??

OP posts:
ThomasHardyPerennial · 13/03/2023 10:41

Of course it isn't ok. I'm really sorry he spoke to you like that, he is an absolute wanker!

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 13/03/2023 10:42

You know it's not okay. Get hold of Citizens Advice and take steps against him. You can't live like that.

Growlybear83 · 13/03/2023 10:43

You said in your previous post that there's had been a heated exchange, so my view on what he said to you would very much depend on the context of the conversation you had with the landlord.

Maverickess · 13/03/2023 10:49

Of course it's not ok, although I suspect someone will be along soon to tell you that you live in his house and home owners have to wait for stuff so you should be grateful to pay for the privilege of having no heating and hot water because of a broken boiler that he's clearly not fixing properly as it keeps breaking down.

Speak to Shelter and look to move would be my advice because he's not going to change.

Dumpruntime · 13/03/2023 10:55

Maverickess · 13/03/2023 10:49

Of course it's not ok, although I suspect someone will be along soon to tell you that you live in his house and home owners have to wait for stuff so you should be grateful to pay for the privilege of having no heating and hot water because of a broken boiler that he's clearly not fixing properly as it keeps breaking down.

Speak to Shelter and look to move would be my advice because he's not going to change.

Wow. I think you may be projecting there.

Original poster
horriblelandlord · 13/03/2023 11:04

Growlybear83 · 13/03/2023 10:43

You said in your previous post that there's had been a heated exchange, so my view on what he said to you would very much depend on the context of the conversation you had with the landlord.

I said the heating situation needed sorting because it had been going on for months and it's unacceptable to pay that amount of money in rent and have the same problems again and again. I said I was confused about the mixed messages regarding the plan - saying a few weeks ago he would replace it and get a new one, then saying something entirely different to my partner, etc ...

OP posts:
CremeEggThief · 13/03/2023 11:11

I wouldn't stand for this, OP.
It might take you a while, but start looking for somewhere else to live now and then you'll have the satisfaction of giving notice to him, the twat!

BumblebeeWest · 13/03/2023 11:27

I’d put my concerns in writing, given the fact he’s clearly unable to have a respectful verbal interaction about his failures to comply with his duties under Section 10 of the Landlord and Tenant Act. An issue like a failing boiler should never have been allowed to continue for so long. You should be able to flag with your local council’s Environmental Health team for inspection - they only require you to have previously given the landlord “reasonable” time to sort the problem. It doesn’t sound like you’ve got any bridge left to burn with him, so you might as well make things formal. And yes, as PP says, I’d be planning to move too.

Getting your council involved now will mean you have a bit more (legal) protection against a retaliatory eviction later, although I’m sorry to say it but someone as horrible as your landlord probably won’t care about that. However, council involvement now would mean the council can more easily recognise your need for assistance later down the line, if it comes to it. They’ve got a legal duty to prevent you becoming homeless, and most councils have a team in Housing that can help people find a new private rental sector home, even paying a deposit if you can’t save one in time. (I used to do that work!)

Original poster
horriblelandlord · 13/03/2023 11:37

@BumblebeeWest thank you that's all incredibly helpful

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MrsMoastyToasty · 13/03/2023 11:41

In the short term contact the environmental health team at your local council. They can take enforcement action including fining him.
In the long term look for somewhere else, smug in the knowledge that he is devaluing his investment in the property by not doing running repairs.

Original poster
horriblelandlord · 13/03/2023 12:18

Update.

The LL has now blocked my number so I can't contact him!

OP posts:
BlackFriday · 13/03/2023 12:20

Leave it a day or two and use someone else's phone.
Was there a rental agency involved?

mumda · 13/03/2023 12:23

Contact environmental health about poor repairs.

WinterMusings · 13/03/2023 12:28

Growlybear83 · 13/03/2023 10:43

You said in your previous post that there's had been a heated exchange, so my view on what he said to you would very much depend on the context of the conversation you had with the landlord.

Nope.

it doesn't matter what happened & it doesn't matter what he thinks. But LL's can't go around calling their tenants names & saying they don't care about them.

It's HIS boiler, he needs to get a reputable boiler repair company in & DEAL with it!!

it probably needs to be replaced.

@horriblelandlord he is indeed horrible. I don't know where is the best place to deal with this, but presumably shelter could advise?

Horrible Landlords should be made to live in their properties. They give good landlords a bad name.

I hope you get your heating sorted too. If the boiler is this bad, it's probably expensive to run too... ask shelter about that as well.

best of luck getting it all sorted!

ShirleyPhallus · 13/03/2023 12:31

Stop discussing things on the phone, there is no audit trail and you cannot prove what he said to you but also you cannot prove what you’ve asked for etc

email only and keep it formal and neutral. Give notice and find somewhere else to live

Justmeandthedog1 · 13/03/2023 12:33

The landlord has to be contactable. His/her home address or business address must be shown on your tenancy agreement. This can be replaced by letting agent.’s details in which case you’d go through them.
Write to the landlord stating that the boiler is their responsibility and must be in good working order. Keep a copy of everything.
Do you have a current gas safety certificate?
Info here:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-privately/during-your-tenancy/complaining-about-your-landlord/

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/what_to_do_if_your_private_landlord_wont_do_repairs

crosstalk · 13/03/2023 13:02

LL here. Agree this man is ridiculous. Def the Environmental Health route. Also screen shot the blocking message. No landlord should behave like that unless their tenant is being consistently abusive.

Original poster
horriblelandlord · 13/03/2023 13:39

I've now reported to environmental health, including the ongoing problem with the boiler as well as his disgusting derogatory comments, and the blocking of contact. They took it seriously and agreed it was completely unacceptable, so that's good.

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Original poster
horriblelandlord · 13/03/2023 13:40

They will also find me emergency accommodation if the boiler isn't repaired in a timely manner.

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Maybebabyno2 · 13/03/2023 13:44

Are you private renting or working with a agency? If the latter, I would direct all future correspondence to them and refuse to deal with him.

I would also start looking for a new place to live. Fuck him and his dick head attitude!

Original poster
horriblelandlord · 13/03/2023 13:50

No agency involved unfortunately! Just the dickhead to deal with.

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BumblebeeWest · 13/03/2023 13:57

@horriblelandlord brilliant news, hopefully they can kick him into action. If he refuses to sort it, depending on your local lettings policies (some areas have landlord licences) he might get a mark on his record if there’s a licensing scheme, or a fine if he does this sort of thing to his tenants habitually. The

And it’s great that they’ve been proactive about informing you of the potential of alternative accommodation - lots of councils aren’t as forthcoming with that sort of info!

I appreciate you might not be in a position to take legal action directly, but on the off chance that you are, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 is also on your side, confirms the bit in the Landlord and Tenant Act about having a heating/hot water supply, and allows for you to take him to court yourself. If you can, and if it becomes necessary to. But hopefully Environmental Health will make him sort it out in the short term. I’m sure he’ll be pissed off at you for going to EH, but if he’s blocked you he hasn’t really left you with any other choice.

SaturdayGiraffe · 13/03/2023 14:02

Direct? Has he proven he's protected your deposit?

Original poster
horriblelandlord · 13/03/2023 14:05

SaturdayGiraffe · 13/03/2023 14:02

Direct? Has he proven he's protected your deposit?

Sorry, What do you mean?

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