Landlord issues...

[The Boy]

Not really got any practical advive, buyt even though moving during your finals may be stressful I imagine that putting up with a landlord who is an arsehole of this order won't be much better.

I know I've said this in previous landlord threads but I really don't understand how landlords think that they can behave like this*. I've got a rental flat (used to have anotehr which I sold) and would never dream of treating people like this.

The only time I've had things go unrepaird was when I was abroad and (inadvertently) uncontactable. And, because the tennets had been without a boiler for two weeks we came to an arrangement over the following month's rent which reflected this.

*obviously they behave like this simply because they can due to the law etc, but who the fuck gets upset because tennets are 'hard work'. A landlord is supposed to be providing a service ffs.

 

[Felina]

Not really got any practical advive, buyt even though moving during your finals may be stressful I imagine that putting up with a landlord who is an arsehole of this order won't be much better.

I know I've said this in previous landlord threads but I really don't understand how landlords think that they can behave like this*. I've got a rental flat (used to have anotehr which I sold) and would never dream of treating people like this.

The only time I've had things go unrepaird was when I was abroad and (inadvertently) uncontactable. And, because the tennets had been without a boiler for two weeks we came to an arrangement over the following month's rent which reflected this.

*obviously they behave like this simply because they can due to the law etc, but who the fuck gets upset because tennets are 'hard work'. A landlord is supposed to be providing a service ffs.

Couldn't agree more, landlords like this only care about their 'property portfolio', they couldn't give a shit about providing a service! It's a very common problem really. I know my OH rises to it but I really object to him being provoked and wound up in our home. It's starting to verge on harrassment and I've had some advice about it on the phone today.

 

[Badgers]

I can't see a perfect outcome to this I am afraid.

What you need to look at is the 'least worst' scenario for you taking into account money, exams, hassle and time.
It does sound like the best thing to do is move out but it does not sound like this is ideal.

I doubt he will suddenly fix everything and improve his behaviour.
You can take these matters further but it will not get sorted quickly or easily by the sound of things.

 

[Felina]

I can't see a perfect outcome to this I am afraid.

What you need to look at is the 'least worst' scenario for you taking into account money, exams, hassle and time.
It does sound like the best thing to do is move out but it does not sound like this is ideal.

I doubt he will suddenly fix everything and improve his behaviour.
You can take these matters further but it will not get sorted quickly or easily by the sound of things.

Yep, it'd be a long slow process taking him to the small claims court - so I'm hoping he might just fix the bloody shower. I mean how much must it cost to replace a shower part?!

I don't even think moving out now is possible - apart from the fact at the moment I have no time to househunt/money to move the stuff, I'm not sure what I'm going to be doing in a few months time. Was hoping to bide my time till our tenancy ran out before committing to another nightmare contract.

So I guess the 'least worse' scenario is to count the days till we can get out and put up with skanky bath-residue hair!

 

[Jazzz]

It says if he wants us out he has to give 2 months notice, in writing
...

There is no mention of a break clause

You must check this with CAB/shelter or Community Legal Advice (I can recommend the last one)

But if there is indeed no break clause, then I don't think the landlord can evict you until the end of the fixed period, i.e. the length of time you signed up to. He will then have to give two months' notice to get you to leave on or after that (as is standard).

If you then didn't go, it would probably take another couple of months to actually evict you.

 

[chainsaw cat]

]Sorry, but you are not legally entitled to withhold rent. If you do so, you will be breaking your contract and your landlord will be able to serve you notice/evict you.
[/B]Speak to the housing department of your local council as they should have a team which deals with private landlords and can give you some advice about how to proceed.

It's been a while since I rented but...

I always assumed, after the first 2 times, that the landlord would withold most or all of the deposit on spurious grounds and I'd not get it back. So I didn't pay the last months rent and never bothered even asking about the deposit (they were roughly the same amount).

Isn't it less stress just to do that? If you know when you are moving on, of course.

I dumped 3 different types of vermin - cockroaches, mice and them little silvery things that live under carpets - at one place too. Got them from mates at another property owned by the bastard landlord.Then rang the council about them and the university lettings approval guy.

Passive aggressive.

 

[T/C]

I have been in a very similar situation (minus the agro landlord, we were 'managed' by an agent) [Open Doors on Acre Lane <----useless cunts ime.]

We had a gas leak in our living room for months, and the agency did nothing about it, eventually we got it sorted ourselves and just deducted it from the rent.

After this, and several other more minor debacles, we decided we needed to get out, but were worried about not getting our bond back, so we just withheld the final months rent and stalled, made excuses, and eventually outright told them to fuck off when they demanded payment. At the end of the month we shifted out with no hassles and totally square financially.

Not sure if there will be any repercussions for us on our return to the UK though? Is there some kind of 'bad tennant' list that the letting agents use or something to that effect??

 

[Felina]

Not sure if there will be any repercussions for us on our return to the UK though? Is there some kind of 'bad tennant' list that the letting agents use or something to that effect??

The only thing that could affect you would be a CCJ - but you'd know about that cos you'd be asked to go to court... So you'll probably be fine.

I've written the landlord a letter with the rent cheque deducting what it cost me to pay the boiler person and again reminding about the repairs. I've put in the letter that if we can't get everything fixed during the next week we will be taking the case to court.

Thing is, the place was advertised as having an amazing bathroom and shower and the whole place was perfect when we viewed. Most of the repairs have been outstanding since July. He reckons that now we have running water we don't need a shower... If I was in a scummy student flat I wouldn't mind, but I'm paying over the odds for the place anyway!

 

[rhod]

In my contract it says they must give 24 hour notice for the landlord or viewers to enter the property. Ours turned up at night and is a right sleaze. What can you do though?!

It will probably say in you contract that you must allow them to enter, but of course you can refuse them if they turn up unannounced!

Send a recorded delivery letter to the landlord reminding them of their obligation to give you 24 hrs notice of a visit, and at a mutually convenient time. Keep a copy yourself. Don't answer the door if he turns up unannounced.

Consider fitting an extra lock - keep a spare key with a trusted 3rd party so that the landlord could enter in a genuine emergency and you were on hols, for example - but only with your consent.