Uni landlord not fixing faults

[HydrangeaRose]

Son is living away and is struggling with stress and anxiety . Moved into a new shared flat with 2 others , 4 weeks ago . Oven doesn’t work and other issues but lack of oven is biggie. Repeatedly emailed and called agency to report and nothing back . He has some health issues which are happening at same time and I want to try and take burden of resolving this off him. Is there anyone else I can get advice from or involve to force them to take action . All monies paid and no issues on them as client . Thanks

Have you tried contacting the LL on his behalf?

Is he quite local? Might be an idea to visit. ASAP.

Is agency a member of ARLA..?..if so report them for lack of action, they respond and lean on agencies to get things done, or contact landlord directly if possible.

The agency is in Newcastle , we are in Derbyshire . The agency have said its landlords job to sort but landlord hasn’t /wont . I want to speak to them but want to know my rights first as think they are dismissing because it’s 3 x students .

Perhaps contact the CAB or Shelter for advice. Are you your son’s guarantor?

Our DD (20) is also renting with uni friends and as all the parents are guarantors, the girls set up a parental chat in case they encounter any issues. Haven’t needed to use it so far but the girls know that we’ll advise and support them if they need us.

Def. talk to CAB/Shelter and keep kicking up a fuss with the agency. Be the squeaky wheel that won’t go away! You don’t want to be charged for any of these repairs.

Do the agents actually manage the tenancy or was it a let only? If they don’t manage it and just let it there is nothing they can do, and you need to get on to the LL

Do the agents actually manage the tenancy or was it a let only? If they don’t manage it and just let it there is nothing they can do, and you need to get on to the LL

@Lastqueenofscotland2 Good point, the OP should double-check the contract.

Get onto LL immediately and cc in letting agent asking for clarification on who is responsible for ongoing maintenance. If the landlord refuses to act put him on notice that you will be reporting to the council's private rent team. Shelter should be able to advise and they have some templates on their website that will help you do everything correctly. Cannot stand landlords that ignore repairs 🤬

He may also be able to access support through the university housing team for help.

I'd be inclined to guide them but see if they can push the issue further with the agents/landlord themselves a bit more in the first instance- if you aren't involved in the tenancy agreement they may well not be able to do much for you anyway. While you want to help, learning to deal with these issues themselves are part of the core life skills that they can learn as young adults living away at university.

If you can help them with reading the contract and double checking other landlord requirements in your area (I.e. do landlords need to register with the council? Are there minimum requirements for cooking facilities attached to any registrations etc?), then you will be able to help them develop a script to deal with it. I leant great life lessons in dealing with landlords as a student- made life post uni much easier as I'd had the "trial run" of working out how to deal with issues while our parents were still very much there to help as required

(And as per other pp's suggestion, if the house isn't managed by the agent they need to make sure they're contacting the right person!!).

My parents used to manage a couple of students houses and it drove them nuts sometimes when irate parents contacted them as more often than not, the tennants hadn't actually thought to tell their landlord that there was a problem 🤣

And I know it's really not quite the point as they're entitled to what is in their contract, but could they get a cheap worktop oven to tide them over if they are desperate?

If property is under a licence scheme then you can report to the council also.

@Canyousewcushions I agree with you in general, they need to learn how to handle things. I advised the OP to get more involved as her son is unwell atm.

Thank you for all taking the time to reply . Reread all contracts , had some advice from CAB and a shelter letter template . Agency do manage the let but understand this landlord does not authorise them to repair or replace anything . Completely up to LL to do . Seen more video evidence tonight .
oven has no legible temperature dial or function knob and is so old no model identifying stickers .so you turn it on and no idea of temp . Tumble dryer doesn’t work at all . Microwave turn table doesn’t turn and is broken and rusted on inside , it looks like it needs condemming . 2 full sets of drawers are on verge of collapse , with missing drawers . It was marketed as a fully furnished flat , with appliances . Helped compose a detailed email tonight . Agency don’t take any phone calls to do with property management, all web reported only and you have to chase via web . Their response is it’s up to LL . It’s shameful how they treat tenants . Thanks again . He’s got bigger things to worry about next week as having surgery so why I am trying to help .

a google search using 'bad landlords Newcastle' brings up some helpful information including the email for the appropriate department at Newcastle city council and what to do before you complain direct to them. Hope your sons surgery goes well

Disgusting, but par for the course. I don't know why we allow people to abuse students like this. They are pretty vulnerable renters as they're little more than children.

Get him an air fryer. And tell him to get together with housemates and badger LL about oven. Don't tell him about air fryer. Hide it if he comes round before oven is fixed.

Yes we already bought the air fryer 🙂

I'm sorry to hear about your sons issues.

My now DH used to have a property he rented to students for years. Depending on the staff member, he'd get notified about the smallest thing as an urgent matter, or not be told at all for weeks about an issue!

DH worked abroad for a period and with it being a vastly different timezone, reply emails might not have been picked up straight away. From memory though, only things over a certain £££ had to be approved, otherwise management could replace.

More than once DH found out that the students hadn't been told by the management team that he'd been trying to sort an issue or source an item. Strangely, the ovens or the elements used to go often, but the recess in that kitchen was very shallow. I recall many nights searching appliance websites for a replacement which would fit because the management company didn't have time to do so!

I'm not saying this is the case and have no idea about this land lord, but 'sometimes' the management company have a part to play also.

What does the AST state?

I’m seething on your son’s (and his roommates) behalf, that’s appalling.

“Landlord can’t/wont”

which is it? You don’t seem very clear on the LL’s stance, and this is because this is all coming from your young adult and very anxious son.

You need to contact the LL directly. No hug drama or shouting. But in order to progress this. You need to hear the LL’s position for yourself.

I’d be arranging to visit my DS this weekend Op. it sounds concerning.

You would also be able to get a better understanding of what the landlord has actually said but fining yourself rather than everything second hand from someone struggling

Thanks again . Made some progress as after more contact with a few more key phrases and references in a detailed email/phone call they got a new oven fitted . Agency say all the other stuff is awaiting landlord decision , so can say with certainly that LL knows . Tenants have asked for a L L decision in 5 working days as already had a month . I will be with him next week as he has hospital op scheduled for Monday afternoon. Thank you again for helpful suggestions

@HydrangeaRose Good result with the oven, keep pushing.