Tenancy help

theNude

theNude

theNude

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Joined
10 May 2006
Posts
2,334
Hey,

Just wondering if anyone can offer some help for me, my 'girlfriend' has just moved into a rented property and the boiler has just broken and is leaking water everywhere.

She has contacted her landlord and he said it cannot be fixed until after easter in a week or so, it is her only form of heating and cooking as her oven is gas and the gas has had to be turned off.

Is there a set time they must repair such essential things?

It seems crazy she is just expected to have no hot water, heating or cooking facilities for over a week.

Dude.
 
No this is not acceptable.

I would suggest that she contacts the landlord again to try and push for someone to come out. I suspect the landlord has a regular person who they use for these kinds of jobs and he is not available until after the weekend. That is tough, they will have to hire someone else.

If the landlord still won't send someone then she should talk to Citizens Advice Bureau asap as they will advise and help her.
 
If it comes to it, say to the landlord they can fix it now, or you'll get someone to fix it and bill them for the repairs.
 
Yeah I think Burnsy is correct...if she doesn't do it, bill her for it.

Also, if she doesn't agree to resolve it then I believe your girlfriend is within her rights to withhold rent until it is fixed, so threaten the landlord with this.
 
dirtychinchilla said:
Also, if she doesn't agree to resolve it then I believe your girlfriend is within her rights to withhold rent until it is fixed, so threaten the landlord with this.
Click to expand...

No, don't withhold or threaten to withhold rent, as this would mean that you are also in breach of contract. If it really comes to it, small claims would be where this would be settled.
 
Get it fixed and invoice them, they are liable for the upkeep of the property. If it gets to a really really bad situation, then deduct the cost of the invoice from the rent, but that is last stage.
 
While they may be liable for upkeep, and they are, the tenant is liable to pay rent in a timely manner. Check your tenancy agreement, probably assured shorthold, for further details.

Shelter have further info but landords are generally responsible for:

  • sinks, baths, toilets and other sanitary fittings, including pipes and drains
  • heating and hot water
  • all gas appliances, pipes, flues and ventilation
  • The structure of the property
Furthmore, don't get the repair done yourself unless you have evidence the landlord is not responding in a timely manner or you will be stung.
 
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Has it occurred to anybody that this may not be the landlord being difficult it may just be that they cannot actually get a gas engineer to come out on a call out over a bank holiday weekend?

We are fully booked for this weekend as its when all the councils/etc choose to get work done as their places run on a skeleton crew over bank holiday weekends, domestic installers probably wouldn't have this issue but they would probably also want the holiday off themselves.
 
Is it a private let or via a letting agency OP? If its via an agency they generally have their own monkeys.
 
LL needs to either fix it within a reasonable timescale (undefined, see a judge) or provide a realistic alternative to tide you over. If he provided electric heaters, electric oven and a contribution towards leccy bills then he could get away with it in the eyes of the law.

More likely, he doesn't want to pay through the nose for a gas fitter over Easter (despite the fact that he is required to do so). He's fobbing you off in the hope you accept it.

Your gf has only moved in, so there will be plenty of fixed term to run but be aware that things like fixing and retaining rent to cover the cost (even when you are perfectly within your rights to do so) often lead to a retaliatory eviction at the earliest opportunity. "I need heating and water" needs to be balanced against "my LL could be a **** and evict me asap".

If your gf believes the time to fix is unreasonable, google "Lee Parker vs Izzet" for the procedure she must follow to do the repairs herself and deduct from rent. If the LL is only talking a week, it may actually take longer to go down this route than it would to wait for the LL.
 
ubersonic said:
Has it occurred to anybody that this may not be the landlord being difficult it may just be that they cannot actually get a gas engineer to come out on a call out over a bank holiday weekend?

We are fully booked for this weekend as its when all the councils/etc choose to get work done as their places run on a skeleton crew over bank holiday weekends, domestic installers probably wouldn't have this issue but they would probably also want the holiday off themselves.
Click to expand...

As the post above me states, the landlord may not be able to get their friendly company in to do the work but there will be a call-out company available *somewhere* that will be able to do the work.
 
Thanks for your help, she is being a bit soft about it and saying she will wait and see what they say, where as I am in the speak up and get it done camp!

will see what happens on Monday as she is away for the weekend at the moment.
 
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