landlordtrouble

Surveyor said that the repair can wait until after I move out, i.e. there is no immediate need to fix it (I have told him that this will likely be June). He put it in his notes. Agents are just checking whether insurance company will allow this and get back to me. Fingers crossed.

apparently, the insurance company is insisting on repairs done soon, rather than wait, otherwise LL policy will be invalidated.. or something to that effect.

landlord is a company registered in Jersey, no income tax to pay..

I did allow one viewing. Made sure the flat had empty bottles/ diry clothes/closed curtains/ musty smell/heaps of rubbish everywhere scenario. I also helpfully pointed out aircraft and traffic noise, opening the windows in the process. They never wanted to come back after that. I think the flat was filled quite quickly, but still had a month void.

Well, just an update. After moving out, I submitted a case with TDS as the agent would not respond to my three letters at all (requests for deposit return). The paperwork was sent to agents by TDS and they have mentioned what the deduction was for, but haven`t provided any proof, therefore my money was returned to me in full. Thanks for your help. Maria

Hello, I hope you can help me with below (legal points would be appreciated): I moved into the property in November 2011. The property was meant to be painted beforehand (but as I was aware of tight deadline between previous tenant vacating and myself moving in, said I will take property anyway, even if non painted). A month after I moved in, there was a leak from flat upstairs. This lasted maybe an hour and damage was minimal. There is literally 5*5cm brown mark and nothing else. It is cosmetic only. I notified the agent who sent around surveyor from building insurance. I should mention that this is large block of flats and building itself is covered by the same building insurance company throughout. The surveyor agreed that this was not my fault and stated that the insurance will pay for replastering and repainting. The property is a studio flat and the damage is in living room / bedroom. I have asthma and am also pregnant and therefore have asked to postpone the works until I move out. This would be May at the earliest (I have 6 months break in contract). The agents have just got back to me and stated that the insurance company will not wait that long to have the works done and I will be liable for repainting costs if I don`t let them carry out works soon. They haven`t offered any rent reduction, alternative accommodation or anything else. I should also mention that property came unfurnished, so it would be my furniture getting damaged. Given that the room where the work is to be carried out is the sleeping/ living area and there is only kitchen and bathroom (no other bedrooms), what are my options? Thanks, Maria

That was precisely my point... According to them because plumber says so and that`s it!

Correct, I have never even met managing agent (they are not even based in London). I was checked in by inventory clerk and the showing aound was done by another "finder only" agency...

Hello, no, no they didn`t try to figure out what was wrong on the phone and no there is no booklet or detailed instructions. Plumber was already in the building that day anyway, attending to another flat. I wouldn`t even have problem paying for an hour, hovewer tehy want me to pay for TWO!

Helo, accordinfg to plumber he flicked the switch t the heater.. hovewer I couldn`t reset the main swich box, as it kept going off, you know similarly when bulb goes and you have to reset it.. Hope it makes sense.

Hello, I emailed back and forwards with them and it went like this: Me: As per rental agreement, I have called you to let you know that the heating/ hot water is not working. You have decided to send the plumber around. Plumber apparently diagnosed this as me switching off the boiler (and therefore my fault). He charged the LL for 2 hrs of time. LL didn`t query it with me and paid the bill. You now would like to deduct this from my deposit... LA: It is a common knowledge that when plumber is called out unnecessarily T has to pay. We will not contact the plumber because we use him all the time and he wouldn`t lie. He wrote that T was at fault on invoice and charged for 2 hours. Me: But, the contract was between LL and plumber. LA: It will be deducted from your deposit. Me: You mean that you will propose to deduct from deposit and either court or TDS adjudicator will decide. LA: TDS will decide, you can`t go to court. Me: Yes you can, etc.... I will see you at court. So the question is: "Is it common that T is charged for repairs, which belong to LL but end up being tenants fault?". I mean, I didn`t really want to mess with electrics, boiler, etc.. Thanks!

Hello, Another gem of a story from renting... I have just given a notice to quit because LA wanted 7.5% increase in rent AND £100+VAT for a new agreement. I said I quit and told them the exact condition on when viewing to take place (24 hr written notice, only in my presence). They just sent me acknowledgement letter and also another letter (bill). The bill is for over £100 for a plumber. The charge is for 2 hours, although he was in the flat for 10 min. The story is that one day I got home, switched on the light and fuse went off. I went to reset fuse box but found heating/ hot water was not working. I have called LA who said that plumber is already in the building next day (LL owns the whole building) and he will have a look. Basically he turned up for 10min and fixed the problem. As far as I am aware I notified LA of the fault and as this was to do with electric/gas I haven`t touched it. This was over a month ago. Anyway, I checked the contract and it only states that I will be liable for contractor charges IF I call the plumber out WITHOUT calling the LA office first (unless emergency). LA state that because I called the contractor out unnecessarily I have to pay. Who is right?? I haven`t made contractual relationship? Surely £100 is excessive for callout? PS: Yes I am quite sensible and wouldn`t call plumber out just because I can`t switch on the fuse. My boyfriend also tried and couldn`t get I to work.