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Yet more house issues...
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I really don't know what to do...
The house we moved into (and promptly had to grab what we needed and then get out of again) hasn't had the work needed done to it, and more needs to be done. The landlord is aparently in negotiations with the people managing the property to sell. But in the meantime we need to get back in there. We've been staying with friends for near a month now, and its beginning to wear on all parties.
But...
There are still broken windows, the kitchen isn't usable, theres no working oven, the electrics are still not fixed, there are huge drafts which means the heating is usless, floors in the kitchen, bathroom and loo all need to be replaced. The sink in the bathroom is coming off the wall. We were told all of this would be sorted before we moved in, but this was nearly a month ago and not much has happened...
I really don't know what to do. The landlord hasn't answered any emails since before xmas, nothing's been done for 3 weeks nearly. I've text the agent (she's a sole agent and only deals with the one house) and she's not got back to us since before xmas too. I want to start calling people tomorrow and get people doing stuff because all of this should have been sorted by now. I don't want to get Shelter involved again because thats what caused all the hassle with the previous place. I've got a support worker but I don't know if theres anything they can do without my landlord knowing I have mental health issues.
There are somethings I can do - like the flooring, and using a sealant gun where needs be, but theres loads that I can't do. I just want to have a home to live in rather than just a shell.
What do I do? I'll try again with the agent and the landlord, but I don't really know what to say...
Help!
The house we moved into (and promptly had to grab what we needed and then get out of again) hasn't had the work needed done to it, and more needs to be done. The landlord is aparently in negotiations with the people managing the property to sell. But in the meantime we need to get back in there. We've been staying with friends for near a month now, and its beginning to wear on all parties.
But...
There are still broken windows, the kitchen isn't usable, theres no working oven, the electrics are still not fixed, there are huge drafts which means the heating is usless, floors in the kitchen, bathroom and loo all need to be replaced. The sink in the bathroom is coming off the wall. We were told all of this would be sorted before we moved in, but this was nearly a month ago and not much has happened...
I really don't know what to do. The landlord hasn't answered any emails since before xmas, nothing's been done for 3 weeks nearly. I've text the agent (she's a sole agent and only deals with the one house) and she's not got back to us since before xmas too. I want to start calling people tomorrow and get people doing stuff because all of this should have been sorted by now. I don't want to get Shelter involved again because thats what caused all the hassle with the previous place. I've got a support worker but I don't know if theres anything they can do without my landlord knowing I have mental health issues.
There are somethings I can do - like the flooring, and using a sealant gun where needs be, but theres loads that I can't do. I just want to have a home to live in rather than just a shell.
What do I do? I'll try again with the agent and the landlord, but I don't really know what to say...
Help!
0
Comments
I'm going to call the agent again today and see what she has to say about getting it all sorted - she's normally fairly pro-active but the landlord is the one being really slow...
I'm wondering if I get environmental health involved?? anyone had any experience of this?
I've been drafting an email to send the landlord basically outlining everything that needs to be done and telling him its a matter of urgency. Whether he listens to that or not is another thing... He's aparently out of the country until the 6th so I'm going to try and call him if I get no responce within 48hrs.
I've spoken to my mum and she's not prepared to move out and find somewhere else either, its caused so much stress already moving again is going to break her.
We spoke to the landlord today and he's sorting the windows next week, the kitchen is up to us to choose and get fitted, but he'll pay for it. He's also paying for the floor - but I'll need to still do it! Basically he's said do what needs doing and he'll pay for it - just need to check with him first, but he's agreed to the floors in kitchen/bathroom/loo needing to be done, shower replacing, bathroom re-tiled, loo boxed in, doors painted, we can decorate how we want, carpets replacing (if they don't come clean), do what ever needs to be done in the garden etc etc. I don't mind doing the work, but I'm not sure I'm going to manage on my own. Someone suggested that i look for a DIY-help type charity. Can anyone suggest where I might find one?
I'm pretty tempted to say I'll pay for central heating if I can live there rent free for 4 months...might be pushing it!
It might be that everything is above board but there are somethings which aren't worth taking a risk for. He doesn't sound like the most dynamic landlord and that would worry me.
Happy New Year!
It's really good to hear that your landlord is taking some action and that works will finally get done so you can live in your home.
Keep us posted about getting this in writing though.
As for your original question - am I right in thinking that you are doing the work yourself, and your landlord is paying for the materials? If so, just seems like a lot of work for you to be doing on your own, on top of caring for your mum and studying.
I really am not sure of any charities that help in this way. Maybe Shelter may know or know where to look?
Alternatively, ask your landlord if he will pay for labourers to come in and do the work. You can get three quotes for him to look to see the average cost.
Whenever places I've rented have needed anything doing, I've told the landlord who's got a handy man type person to do it - and the landlord paid for it all himself.
If he's going to pay for the work, or it's coming out your rent, can you not just find a professional to do it?
I'm going to get annoyed with him on monday if he doesn't agree to getting people in to do it, I'm still shaking after trying to do it. We've found a kitchen thats cheap and functional, We've found flooring thats the same. He's going to get it sorted though, and by then end of the week because 7 weeks is more than enough time, I don't care if I'm not paying rent I could be taking him to court by now for failure to comply to health and safety law.
I am fucking livid now I feel like screaming down the phone at him!
Apart from anything, you'd think he'd want someone professional to do it to make sure it's done properly and well so it lasts and will be fine for years to come.
I see no reason why he can't/won't pay for someone to do it - surely it's his responsibility to make sure the house is live-able, safe etc BEFORE he's offering it up for rent.
If we had somewhere else to go right now we would, but no where will accept HB and we've been taken off the council list.
I wish I could jsut get it all sorted and jsut present him with a bill.