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quite worried- LL appears to have fallen off the face of the earth

16 replies

Booyhoo · 31/01/2013 14:47

back story: moved in 1st of june. quite a big repair had been agreed to have been done by moving in. it wasn't (i know i shouldn't have signed) but was then agreed to have been done 2 weeks later. after the initial few weeks i submitted a snag list of lots of other things that were broken since i had moved in and have added to the lost things that have broken since then (garden fence blew down in a storm, door catches jamming). the house is let through an agent so all my correspondence is to them and they have kept saying that they have forwaded the stuff to LL and are awaiting response.

last night the tv aerial blew down in strong wind and is currently balancing between the guttering on the house and an overhead power cable. i called the agent first thing and informed them. they then informed me that they haven't been able to get in touch with my LL and have had no response to any of the emails or phonecalls advising of repairs needed (first list went in in july and no response!). she said she would try him again today and get back to me but she didn't seem overly concerned that he hasn't responded to anything ( i suppose because they are still getting their fees) but i am actually quite worried now, i am thinking he isn't paying his mortgage and has done a runner or something. i have taken a photo of the aerial (it is really unsafe) and i've gone round my neighbours to ask if anyone has a ladder but no joy so i've just called agent again and no response from LL.

what the hell do i do? should i ring one of those handyman type people and get them to take it down and deduct the cost from next rent payment? also, what do i do about the missing LL? should i be worried? what do i do if he is just not going to bother with these repairs? (some are quite important-hole in the back door 8inchesx16 inches, no window locks) do i have any power to insist he does them? it's been 8 months now with all the heat running out through the back door.

OP posts:
Booyhoo · 31/01/2013 15:44

bumping

OP posts:
amillionyears · 31/01/2013 15:49

Dont know so will bump for you.
Do you know of other properties with the same LL?

Booyhoo · 31/01/2013 15:51

no i dont unfortunately.

OP posts:
Pendipidy · 31/01/2013 15:51

You have a right to know your land lords address and phone number, even if he is using an agent. It should be on your contract. If it isn't, ask the agent for it.

ISeeSmallPeople · 31/01/2013 15:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Booyhoo · 31/01/2013 16:01

just saw a man park accross the street with a long ladder and asked if he could help but he says as it's a power cable he wouldn't (dont blame him) and that handymen probably wont touch it either.

LL address is given as C/O 'agent' and only their address and number.

he does run a business though so will google that and see if i can get in touch with him that way. this is beyond ridiculous.

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ISeeSmallPeople · 31/01/2013 16:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Booyhoo · 31/01/2013 16:37

umm, had a look at land registry services, lowest purchase i could make was £16!

google showed adresses but no phone numbers or emails! and there were quite a few different addresses.

i phoned agent again. still no joy with LL. guy i spoke to said they will send one of their people down here tomorrow to take a photo of the aerial and he also said something about using that to be able to carry out work without LL permission. i really stressed how worried i am about this thing coming down on top of someone (i live on a really busy street with a school) or causing a car accident. he just noted it all down. Confused

really hope there isn't strong wind tonight.

going to check out shelter guidelines now for future reference.

is it just me or is this a really shit agent/LL combo?

OP posts:
ISeeSmallPeople · 31/01/2013 17:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PigletJohn · 31/01/2013 23:36

land registry

What are the fees?
A title register costs £3, a title plan costs £3.
A Flood Risk Indicator result costs £9.00 (excluding VAT)

PigletJohn · 31/01/2013 23:42

land registry

What are the fees?
A title register costs £3, a title plan costs £3.
A Flood Risk Indicator result costs £9.00 (excluding VAT)

Booyhoo · 01/02/2013 15:02
Blush

i'm in NI. turns out land registry is for england and wales. does anyone know if there is an equivalent service for NI?

update on aerial. agent emailed this morning and said they would be arranging a contractor to come out today and get it down. still no contact from LL.

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Elansofar · 01/02/2013 16:03

Hi. Firstly you need to keep a full diary of events etc who you have called and spoken to and what action agreed / actions not done. Your agent is clearly a bit useless and treating you like cash cow. Ask them for a copy of their complaints procedure and follow it to the letter. If they are FSA reg or RICS reg then (after following a complaints procedure and not getting anywhere) you can revert to that higher body if nothing is happening within a reasonable time scale.
I havent had to trace owners in NI, but in the UK when I have had to trace people, I do everything I can to establish their full name, last known address and dob (if poss) and anything about them I can get. Then its a matter of looking under 192. com / facebook / internet for any leads. If no leads I have then reverted to an online search agent. The one I used last time was really good and came up with the goods- and cost apx £50 - they had a money back guarantee if they didnt find the persons address in 14 days.

Ref the power cable issue. Call the network power company - the line will be their responsibility up to the meter box - do not get yourself electrocuted! Ref repairs - always refer to the lease in the first instance. But remember - as a tenant you are also a customer under the Consumer Goods Act - the property has to be fit for the purposes for which it has been let - you could explore this line of action to see if you can inform the Trading Standards Dept at the Council - this is where your diary will come in useful...

Booyhoo · 01/02/2013 16:29

thank you elansofar

i have still got the emails that i have sent regarding this but unofrtunately i dont have records of all the calls made, just the most recent ones regarding the tv aerial.

that is helpful info reagrding the regulating bodies. i will get a copy of the complaints procedure and ask agent for LL name, address and contact details which i think someone upthread said i am entitled to know.

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PigletJohn · 01/02/2013 22:04

maybe you have a record of calls made on your mobile, or phone bill. Mine shows date, time, number called; name if I have recorded it in the Address Book, length of call. It will be useful evidence which you can annotate with what you talked about, and is very difficult for anyone to deny.

Booyhoo · 01/02/2013 22:35

i changed phone in october and only have records since then, although i might be able to get a record on my online account. thanks for that i will have a look.

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