Terrible Landlord - Where do I stand?

CREATIVE!11 · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:13

Ok try keep this brief.

Other night had attempted burglery on my property. They basically shoulder barged the entire door down. I awoke instantly to a massive crash, grabbed a weapon and ran downstairs full pelt. They thought no one was in I think and instantly disappeared so luckily nothing was stolen.

Now though we've had the door temporarily repaired guy came round 4 in morning to do it just screwed it back together DIY basic job for now (they didn't even pay for it guy who did the door said oh no worries usually we pass it onto landlord when this happens but dude he rang said he couldn't pay.... so I had to pay 130 quid out of my own pocket, which I can apparently claim back but how much of hastle is it going to be I wonder?).

Now i've contacted letting agency who own propety and it's been nothing short of disgusting conduct. I rang them on the night it happened on emergency number and they said they'd send someone over in morning. Someone comes over he's all friendly says oh yeah yeah no worries we'll do a new door today and cut down the hedges in front of the house (number 1 point on all anti crime leaflets is cut down hedges that impair visibility) they are completely overgrown anyway and get new handle for us for moment so we can use the door.

Guy leaves in morning, come afternoon I ring them saying WTF? where is the guy and they just say sort of "oh no idea i just answer phones blah blah". Then at 4pm another 2 guys turn up too polish guys who basically said oh we were only told about this 10 mins ago and turned up with a new window handle instead of new door handle. They actually were most concerned unlike F'N letting agent....

Now they yesterday they say oh we'll have new door tomorrow and send guy over ensure its done. Today nobody shows up AGAIN not even to cut the damned hedge down let alone replace the door.

I actually feel sick... I couldn't sleep last night WORRIED someone is going to just barge down my door again potentially armed with god knows what? knife, bats. It's only held together now by screws. I'm so peed off that anyone can just not even give a x. I was so angry I would actually love to go round kick their door in at 4am and see how they feel.

Now where do I stand with this? i'm thinking can I just refuse and hold back rent payment till they deal with it as this is unacceptable. I BASICALLY HAVE NO DOOR!.

What can I do to force them to do it? you shouldn't have to call 20 times for a door after you get 3 guys trying to break in your damned door...

Really could use some advice right about now.

Hank_Marvin · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:17

Ring them again?

You could have rang 10 times in the time it took your to write that all up.

pain though, hope you get it sorted. You could perhaps book the work yourself and bill them?

Theophany · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:19

As satisfying as it would be to withhold rent, it's not really a productive road to go down, unless you're happy burning bridges. If it gets to a stage of legal action, not that I am suggesting it should, that kind of decision would seriously damage your case.

I'd be tempted to arrange for the repairs to be done and simply tell them to bill your letting agent. You get a new door, they get the bill. Not a perfect solution by any means, but an effective one.

CREATIVE!11 · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:20

Hank_Marvin said:
Ring them again?

You could have rang 10 times in the time it took your to write that all up.

pain though, hope you get it sorted. You could perhaps book the work yourself and bill them?

I've rang that much already, everyone says something different too. It's actually sickening. If I just had a broken washing machine or something bit different.

But when you are worried in your sleep about someone breaking into your home and potentially stabbing you the circumstances change a bit.

Mr-White · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:21

While the property is insecure your house contents insurance is more than likely invalid too.

MW

Theophany · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:21

Who is your landlord? Let's name and shame.

CREATIVE!11 · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:23

Mr-White said:
While the property is insecure your house contents insurance is more than likely invalid too.

MW

Yep this is another concern. I'm thinking putting my mattress downstairs by the door. I'm worried if it happens again for all I know I don't wake up this time? then what.

Theophany said:
Who is your landlord? Let's name and shame.

Avtar properties in leeds.

They have all this flashy office and all that. But are the most useless human beings i've come into contact with. Zero concern.

rimmeruk · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:24

sp1ke said:
It's only held together now by screws.

that's a fairly accurate description of all non-upvc doors is it not?

CREATIVE!11 · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:25

rimmeruk said:
that's a fairly accurate description of all non-upvc doors is it not?

Well, when your door is in about 5 pieces and you can see holes through it. That's not really like doors i've seen.

Kamwah · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:30

If you live in such a bad area then why aren't you always that worried? The original burglar could have been armed and up for a confrontation?

Your only point here is that they're being slow, you over dramatize it by 'what ifs'

The only advice I can give you is go down to your letting agents and speak to them in person. Don't leave till they ring whoever they need to infront of you. If they don't then go back and refuse to leave.

Deleted member 77746 · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:31

Pictures please and don't forget the hovis.

CREATIVE!11 · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:32

Kamwah said:
If you live in such a bad area then why aren't you always that worried? The original burglar could have been armed and up for a confrontation?

Your only point here is that they're being slow, you over dramatize it by 'what ifs'

The only advice I can give you is go down to your letting agents and speak to them in person. Don't leave till they ring whoever they need to infront of you. If they don't then go back and refuse to leave.

Because normally I have a door?

I didn't have time to think about it I just did it, not sure about how many doors you've had kicked in.

Kamwah · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:35

sp1ke said:
Because normally I have a door?

I didn't have time to think about it I just did it, not sure about how many doors you've had kicked in.

Didn't stop the first guy.

My point isn't that you went to confront him, I would've done the same. My point is you're adding loads of QQ to your post about 'What ifs'.

Just because the hedges are gone doesn't mean it won't happen again.

CREATIVE!11 · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:38

Kamwah said:
Didn't stop the first guy.

My point isn't that you went to confront him, I would've done the same. My point is you're adding loads of QQ to your post about 'What ifs'.

Just because the hedges are gone doesn't mean it won't happen again.

E-tough.

I'd confront them!11!

Living in moms basement doesn't count.

Theophany · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:41

sp1ke said:
E-tough.

I'd confront them!11!

Living in moms basement doesn't count.

*ahem*

sp1ke said:
I awoke instantly to a massive crash, grabbed a weapon and ran downstairs full pelt.

Instead of fannying around on the bloody internet, why aren't you getting a replacement sorted? :confused:

CREATIVE!11 · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:45

Theophany said:
*ahem*

Instead of fannying around on the bloody internet, why aren't you getting a replacement sorted?

I was trying with repeated phonecalls, but then they didn't get anywhere so I wanted advice.

WingZero30 · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:47

In my experience both the landlord and letting agency can be pretty nasty, especially the landlord!! :mad:

FlapR · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:48

I wouldn't get it done yourself and then tell whoever does it to "bill the letting agent" as that just won't sit well. How badly repaired is your door? I'd refuse to pay any rent whilst they are dicking you around anyway, don't see what else you can do apart from ring them or go down there and confront them in person.

UncleRuckus · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:55

OP

If you feel that your door is currently insecure I would barricade it, if it has a handle jam it with a chair for example.

Do not withhold rent.

Keep getting in contact, leave messages and state that your home insurance is invalid.

Oblivion · 2 Nov 2012 at 17:56

sp1ke said:
Ok try keep this brief.

Other night had attempted burglery on my property. They basically shoulder barged the entire door down. I awoke instantly to a massive crash, grabbed a weapon and ran downstairs full pelt.

This makes me think what weapon i would grab in an emergency. It will make my girlfriend nervous if she sees anything in the drawers near the bed etc. I've already openly admitted to her if i lived in the US i would own several guns (why not to be honest if it's legal) and it turns out she is anti that sort of thing. Was thinking of duck tapping an iron bar under the bed frame or the fat end of a pool queue. You never know when tonight could be the night, i want to be prepared for it if/when it comes and seriously kick some ass. Last thing i want is them coming back thinking they will try again.