jacko Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Just need a bit of advice really and i know you are a clever bunch! My old man lives in a rented house, recently he has had problems with the electrics (the lights switched off when he turned the kettle on!) He rang the letting agency and they sent an electrician out and the wiring has been condemned and the place needs a total rewire. Since then the letting agency wont ring him back and seem to not be bothered about the situation. What ways are there of putting pressure on them to get it sorted? I mean it isnt even their money so i dont see what their problem is- Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justtoofast Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Hi, I am from Germany but I suppose the ways are everywhere the same so I suggest following (which I did from own experience). First off all it is important to send them a letter with a description of the problem due the fact that the spoken word can easily be "forgotten" or ignored, like "this talk never happened". In this friendly written letter you should mention that your situation is kinda urgent and that you would like the problem to be solved till date xx.xx.xxxx. In Germany it is your right to pay less rent if the problem is not fixed till date x (which has to be mentioned in your letter). You should find out if there are similar laws in UK as well. And if they are similar you should already mention in your letter that you will pay less rent until the problem is fixed. Just an idea from me. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share Posted August 14, 2009 Thank you. I mean if it was a leaky tap or something it wouldnt be such a problem, but dodgy electrics is pretty serious isnt it - he's worried the place is going to go up in flames Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justtoofast Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Defect electrics, water damage, not working heat, mould on the walls... All those are BIG reasons to lower the rent. Over here you can almost put the rent on 0 if there does not come help at all by the landlord. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n boost Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Me personally would threaten them with not paying the rent full stop, due it it not being fit for living in. And would also point out that they would need a court order to evict him and that would take a good few weeks and then they would need a eviction notice which would give him a further 28 days of free rent while he looks for another place. I know someone who did this and got 5 months rent free while the courts sorted it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flukey-lukey Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 IMO they should provide him with alternative housing (or hotel) until the rewire is complete. I wouldn't want to live in a house while a rewire is going on! If I were him thats what I'd push for. Does the letting agency have an office nearby? Might be worth a visit as they can't ignore him if he's standing infront of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pot Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Although he's a private tennant, I'm sure the local council would be happy to hear about this, as there's an obvious risk of fire if it's concerning electrics... Failing that, how about Trading Standards? After all, he's handing over money for a product/service?... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share Posted August 14, 2009 Thanks for the input people. Yes they do have an office near-by, but i dont think he's had a chance to get over there yet and suprise suprise the bloke he needs to see isnt there tomorrow..... I was thinking about the alternative accomodation thing too, more whilst the electrics are still dodgy, than when theyre being redone I was also thinking about the ombudsman for letting/estate agencies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benkei Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 A letter is the first thing as they can deny phone calls or forget conversations. The letter should be recorded delivery for next day, then ring them that day to ask if they recieved the letter. Once they confirm they have it then they have to take some action. The letter should be, as justtoofast says, professionally written and outlinning the problem, and how you expect it to be rectified. Also mention of if the problem is not rectified in such a time scale, then you will be taking the matter further. This will scare them and they will hopefully get the problem sorted ASAP. Good luck with it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Witholding rent during problems with dodgy electricity is valid in UK too. I know personally 2 families, who was not paying any rent for 4 months till all electric gremlins was sorted out by house owner/agency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbleapple Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 For legislation on this area it would be the LandLord and Tennants Act... Get it off the net and have a read through. From memory landlord has a duty to fix serious issues like that but you have to be careful as in some leases it can be the tennants duty. My advice is read the lease, check it's the landlords problem, check with the LTA, put the issue in writing on their desk with a deadline and scream at them like a banshee.... Also check if the lease has the landlords real home address and perhaps cc them into the letter in case the landlord isn't aware... Lots of sensible posts by other members... I would be careful of simply refusing to pay.... I suspect it can cause more practical problems than it's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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