student homes - a shocking tale!
Posted by danm
Locke Cole Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...Aside from the fact that if you use the threat
> of legal action to blackmail somebody, the courts
> will throw out your claim.
Fair dos. You've studied Law, so your words will carry more weight here.
I do think getting that wiring replaced is of major importance though.
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...Aside from the fact that if you use the threat
> of legal action to blackmail somebody, the courts
> will throw out your claim.
Fair dos. You've studied Law, so your words will carry more weight here.
I do think getting that wiring replaced is of major importance though.
Oh, definitely. You don't need to sue in order to get the wiring replaced, you just need to tell the landlord he's in breach of contract. If he's got any sense of urgency, that'll kick his ass into gear so that he would fix it before you withhold your rent!
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Thanks for the interest and advice here guys, I appreciate it a lot!
Now, my dad made a call to the letting agency today at 9am, and word got around so fast that the landlord and electrician were here by 11am to fix it.
But the troubles haven't stopped, lol.
I went to turn my light on, it cut out, and suddenly that now doesn't work either.
Tried replacing with a bulb from the hallway. Nothing. Tested it back in the hallway, it works. So it isn't the bulb. Bought a new bulb from Co-op - that too doesn't work in my room, but does in the hallway, meaning there's something wrong with the wiring.
The fun still doesn't end. We also had a letter this morning telling us that British Gas were getting a warrant to enter our house to terminate the gas for an unpaid bill of £85 from previous people whoever they were. According to the agency this was all sorted with them, and the last tenants signed out with them and the agency took over.
Yeah right.
I also forgot to add the few other silly things, like the fact we have a kitchen with two washing machines and a tumble dryer - yet the dryer doesn't work, and the washing machine that is spare is not plumbed in and just sitting there taking up space.
There are no chairs in the entire house, but there is a breakfast table. We have to take it in turns to eat, and we sit on leftover gym weights stacked up to make a bar stool LOL! So we have a breakfast table, and random bags of builders sand in the kitchen too.
There's also a mini back yard filled with household building waste, mostly card packaging, sheets of plasterboard, timber, bags of plastic, nails etc, broken chairs.
As for the upstairs three rooms, they have access by which you enter the main front door and go inside, leave out the kitchen door to the outside again, then up an illegal spiral stair that blocks next doors bathroom window from opening, and back into the upstairs rooms. We were thinking, what if there is a fire in the upstairs end room next to the stairs? All three have bedsit style kitchen units built in them. Surely a serious beach of fire safety!
As for the stairs he knocked out inside, the replacement struts on the bannister are made from scraps of wood from elsewhere, offcuts. The don't match, and on one bit where the wood is too short, instead of buying decent new stuff, he has simply screwed and wedged a horizontal piece under it to make up for the stunted strut.
And don't get me started on the polyfiller rehash job he did this lunchtime...
This place is getting worse by the second! I will take more photos of the dodgy bits to keep you all entertained!
I think instead of the whole legal @#$%&, maybe the old tabloids might get a whiff and be interested in a small story. I've seen kids eating batteries make a full page. Worth a shot! Worth a hundred quid.
The quest continues.
Jenson drives it like he owns it; Lewis drives it like he stole it
Now, my dad made a call to the letting agency today at 9am, and word got around so fast that the landlord and electrician were here by 11am to fix it.
But the troubles haven't stopped, lol.
I went to turn my light on, it cut out, and suddenly that now doesn't work either.
Tried replacing with a bulb from the hallway. Nothing. Tested it back in the hallway, it works. So it isn't the bulb. Bought a new bulb from Co-op - that too doesn't work in my room, but does in the hallway, meaning there's something wrong with the wiring.
The fun still doesn't end. We also had a letter this morning telling us that British Gas were getting a warrant to enter our house to terminate the gas for an unpaid bill of £85 from previous people whoever they were. According to the agency this was all sorted with them, and the last tenants signed out with them and the agency took over.
Yeah right.
I also forgot to add the few other silly things, like the fact we have a kitchen with two washing machines and a tumble dryer - yet the dryer doesn't work, and the washing machine that is spare is not plumbed in and just sitting there taking up space.
There are no chairs in the entire house, but there is a breakfast table. We have to take it in turns to eat, and we sit on leftover gym weights stacked up to make a bar stool LOL! So we have a breakfast table, and random bags of builders sand in the kitchen too.
There's also a mini back yard filled with household building waste, mostly card packaging, sheets of plasterboard, timber, bags of plastic, nails etc, broken chairs.
As for the upstairs three rooms, they have access by which you enter the main front door and go inside, leave out the kitchen door to the outside again, then up an illegal spiral stair that blocks next doors bathroom window from opening, and back into the upstairs rooms. We were thinking, what if there is a fire in the upstairs end room next to the stairs? All three have bedsit style kitchen units built in them. Surely a serious beach of fire safety!
As for the stairs he knocked out inside, the replacement struts on the bannister are made from scraps of wood from elsewhere, offcuts. The don't match, and on one bit where the wood is too short, instead of buying decent new stuff, he has simply screwed and wedged a horizontal piece under it to make up for the stunted strut.
And don't get me started on the polyfiller rehash job he did this lunchtime...
This place is getting worse by the second! I will take more photos of the dodgy bits to keep you all entertained!
I think instead of the whole legal @#$%&, maybe the old tabloids might get a whiff and be interested in a small story. I've seen kids eating batteries make a full page. Worth a shot! Worth a hundred quid.
The quest continues.
*double post sorry, will reserve for photos!
Jenson drives it like he owns it; Lewis drives it like he stole it
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/19/2009 11:26PM by danm.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/19/2009 11:26PM by danm.
Yea..... I'm not one for sueing people like everyone here in the US likes to do, but I honestly think your just about there in all honesty - atleast from what your telling us (It's hard to know how bad it is from our POV of course). Even though that would be expensive, you really should A) Set the landlord straight, be it by legal action or by forcing him to provide a safe place that is actually up to code. 
That and make sure you get some free rent, mmmmkay?
But here is my kicker. Buyer beware, no? Obviously if say, the inside stairs we're removed before you moved in, not likely a good thing. But if he's done all of this stuff just since you've been there, THAT is a problem.
The Flanker is gone.
That and make sure you get some free rent, mmmmkay?But here is my kicker. Buyer beware, no? Obviously if say, the inside stairs we're removed before you moved in, not likely a good thing. But if he's done all of this stuff just since you've been there, THAT is a problem.
The Flanker is gone.
Dan, why the $%^& did you move in there in the first place if you knew how had the conditions would be, i.e. builders' rubbish in the yard??
Ring the landlord up today and inform him you're withholding your rent until the property is in a fit and proper state to live in.
P.S. When did you sign the contract for the rental agreement? If you were 17 when you signed, you can get out and go and live somewhere better lol. If you were 18, I'm afraid you should have seen disaster coming.
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Ring the landlord up today and inform him you're withholding your rent until the property is in a fit and proper state to live in.
P.S. When did you sign the contract for the rental agreement? If you were 17 when you signed, you can get out and go and live somewhere better lol. If you were 18, I'm afraid you should have seen disaster coming.
lol locke!
i never knew this about the conditions prior to moving in. when i viewed the house, i was under the impression that it came with the chairs there too, small things, but annoying nonetheless.
however, i have yet to sign the contract, and neither has the guy upstairs. the two downstairs have done so. the landlord also stated the house is an 11 month contract, very random, and fully milking the fact students only need it for 9, and 11 sounds friendlier than 12 others' ask.
i will take some pics after my lecture this morning to show its not a total dump, but just annoying, and I will see what you would all do if you were here.
i've said to the other guy don't go to the agency to sign it and delay for as long as possible. it was up to them to chase us, and they can do just that, given the amount of time and effort i am having to do sorting things.
i may also pop into the student housing office and see their advice.
Jenson drives it like he owns it; Lewis drives it like he stole it
i never knew this about the conditions prior to moving in. when i viewed the house, i was under the impression that it came with the chairs there too, small things, but annoying nonetheless.
however, i have yet to sign the contract, and neither has the guy upstairs. the two downstairs have done so. the landlord also stated the house is an 11 month contract, very random, and fully milking the fact students only need it for 9, and 11 sounds friendlier than 12 others' ask.
i will take some pics after my lecture this morning to show its not a total dump, but just annoying, and I will see what you would all do if you were here.
i've said to the other guy don't go to the agency to sign it and delay for as long as possible. it was up to them to chase us, and they can do just that, given the amount of time and effort i am having to do sorting things.
i may also pop into the student housing office and see their advice.
Dan, sounds like a total s***hole mate. I would get the hell out of there, if you havent signed anything then just walk away.
Leave some brown "messages" as before you leave, spread out throughout the house and even used as wall paint .
.LMAO, you haven't even signed anythnig yet?? Dude, why are you not packing your bags? There is nothing keeping you there and you won't be out of pocket by leaving immediately. Find somewhere else, seriously! Uni is far too important to have to waste your time worrying about whether the roof over your head will cave in at any moment.
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Please find us on [en.wikipedia.org] for more information.
Scary story Dan! Glad you've come out if it okay!!!! Very lucky!!!
But yeah Landlord sounds like a d*ck.
Not quite the same boat but, my landlord last year has still not given back mine or other house-mates deposits back. The ones due end of June!!!! After numerous phonecalls with the reply, "call back next week" we got bored and informed the uni. They rang us back 2 days later saying deposit should be back by this Thursday, if not ring uni again and they will hassle him, if he fails to give us it back then legal action it would be.... that or he has to pay 4 * the original amount :p
"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL
But yeah Landlord sounds like a d*ck.
Not quite the same boat but, my landlord last year has still not given back mine or other house-mates deposits back. The ones due end of June!!!! After numerous phonecalls with the reply, "call back next week" we got bored and informed the uni. They rang us back 2 days later saying deposit should be back by this Thursday, if not ring uni again and they will hassle him, if he fails to give us it back then legal action it would be.... that or he has to pay 4 * the original amount :p
"Trulli was slowing down like he wanted to have a picnic" LOL
Extract from the list of issues I have written in a letter to the Letting Agency, and also the Council Health and Safety Student Accomodation Department.
==============================================================
External – Front of the house
- Utility boxes (Gas Meter) are permanently open and do not shut or lock. Exposed internals are available to the public.
- Exposed wires leading to an outside lamp.
Internal – Kitchen
- Lack of sink plug.
- Poorly fitted electric socket next to water heater. Also sparks and makes an electrical buzz when used.
- Existing tumble dryer under sink does not close correctly. Door broken.
- Unused second washing machine un-plumbed and taking up much needed space.
- Several light bulbs not worked since moving in.
- Ants constantly on work surfaces since moving in.
- Faeces discovered around kitchen floor space and hallway. Samples kept for reference. Suspected rodent issue.
- Kitchen window to patio yard alley does not seem to close logically – almost backwards, and very loose.
- Main kitchen door to patio yard does not close sufficiently at the top. Very exposed, and could be opened with force with ease, even if locked. Unsatisfactory for security reasons, as well as cold draughts.
- Main sink tap needs tightening. Extremely wobbly.
Internal – Hallway
- Bulb missing in main light fitting.
Internal – Ground Floor Bedroom
- Radiator is covered in what looks like rust. Possible prior damp issue/water leak. Needs replacing or repainting.
Internal – Stairs and Landing
- Light switches missing screws to hold fascias.
- Bannister is poorly fitted and made with off-cut and scrap timber. Ill fitted.
- Window frames are sealed with masking tape. Why? Is this for painting purposes, or to disguise draughts and potential damp and rotting?
- Scratching reported between cavity walls, floorboards and between ceiling joists. Suspected rodent problem adding to faeces discovery.
Internal – Bathroom
- Missing light bulb. Light fitting is also left exposed and hanging with loose wire. Very close to shower head and water spray.
- Existing showerhead and fixings are both rusty and highly corroded.
- Toilet seat is very wobbly and needs tightening.
- Floor is carpeted and ill fitting. Not suitable for a wet environment. No waterproofing on floor, thus damp and rotting will be an issue in due course.
- No extractor fan in bathroom; just a window that must be left open to vent after shower is used. Poses both a security risk with adjacent stair, and also a privacy concern.
- Grouting of the shower tiles and surrounding walls is covered in mould. This will continue to worsen as time progresses. Needs re-grouting and using rot-proof silicon.
- Silicon work around hand basin is of very poor workmanship.
- Mirror and sink are held onto dry plasterboard wall. Wobbly, loose and crumbling.
Internal – First Floor Small Bedroom
- Aforementioned electrical issue that has since been fixed. Poor workmanship.
- Seeking the request for appropriate electrical safety certificates on entire house. Also requesting gas safety certificates.
Internal – Second Floor Hallway
- Missing light bulbs since moving in.
Internal – Second Floor Middle Bedroom
- Kitchen unit extractor fan is exposed. Also makes intermittent buzzing noises when fan hits the ducting on occasion.
- Loft hatch is loose and hangs slightly.
- Fridge in kitchen unit is constantly leaking. Large towel discovered to be mopping up excess liquid spillage. Unsure who or when this was placed.
Internal – Second Floor Bathroom
- Sink has large chip in bowl. Has been glued together cheaply.
- Bath taps are actually incomplete – there should be a shower head and fittings. When turned the opposing way, large volumes of water are expelled onto the wall and floor where a shower system should be installed.
- Several light bulbs not working since arrival.
External – Patio and Yard
- Filled with household and DIY construction waste from summer.
- Recycling bin currently filled with mixed waste.
- Spare doors, excess plasterboard and timber line alley.
- Broken glass / broken light bulbs lining alley floor.
- Stairs to second floor bedrooms and bathroom allegedly have no planning permission. Neighbours frequently complaining about invasion of privacy to their bathroom window; which is both visible to the stair user and also prevents them from opening it. Also reportedly noisy when stairs are used.
- Current issues with external stairs also put in question the legality of the internal work, and thus the remainder of the house. Has the main stair in the hallway been removed with both permission and to constructional/health and safety standard?
- Various exposed wiring across alley wall – unsure if it is still live or not, considering the situation with the internal live issues. What purpose do these wires have?
General Issues
- Lack of chairs throughout the house. Just a sole kitchen table, now useless. There were chairs available on date of uptake of the property.
==============================================================
And the promised photo collage of some of the issues! Judge yourself if we are going a bit overboard on the complaints.
Jenson drives it like he owns it; Lewis drives it like he stole it
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2009 06:34PM by danm.
==============================================================
External – Front of the house
- Utility boxes (Gas Meter) are permanently open and do not shut or lock. Exposed internals are available to the public.
- Exposed wires leading to an outside lamp.
Internal – Kitchen
- Lack of sink plug.
- Poorly fitted electric socket next to water heater. Also sparks and makes an electrical buzz when used.
- Existing tumble dryer under sink does not close correctly. Door broken.
- Unused second washing machine un-plumbed and taking up much needed space.
- Several light bulbs not worked since moving in.
- Ants constantly on work surfaces since moving in.
- Faeces discovered around kitchen floor space and hallway. Samples kept for reference. Suspected rodent issue.
- Kitchen window to patio yard alley does not seem to close logically – almost backwards, and very loose.
- Main kitchen door to patio yard does not close sufficiently at the top. Very exposed, and could be opened with force with ease, even if locked. Unsatisfactory for security reasons, as well as cold draughts.
- Main sink tap needs tightening. Extremely wobbly.
Internal – Hallway
- Bulb missing in main light fitting.
Internal – Ground Floor Bedroom
- Radiator is covered in what looks like rust. Possible prior damp issue/water leak. Needs replacing or repainting.
Internal – Stairs and Landing
- Light switches missing screws to hold fascias.
- Bannister is poorly fitted and made with off-cut and scrap timber. Ill fitted.
- Window frames are sealed with masking tape. Why? Is this for painting purposes, or to disguise draughts and potential damp and rotting?
- Scratching reported between cavity walls, floorboards and between ceiling joists. Suspected rodent problem adding to faeces discovery.
Internal – Bathroom
- Missing light bulb. Light fitting is also left exposed and hanging with loose wire. Very close to shower head and water spray.
- Existing showerhead and fixings are both rusty and highly corroded.
- Toilet seat is very wobbly and needs tightening.
- Floor is carpeted and ill fitting. Not suitable for a wet environment. No waterproofing on floor, thus damp and rotting will be an issue in due course.
- No extractor fan in bathroom; just a window that must be left open to vent after shower is used. Poses both a security risk with adjacent stair, and also a privacy concern.
- Grouting of the shower tiles and surrounding walls is covered in mould. This will continue to worsen as time progresses. Needs re-grouting and using rot-proof silicon.
- Silicon work around hand basin is of very poor workmanship.
- Mirror and sink are held onto dry plasterboard wall. Wobbly, loose and crumbling.
Internal – First Floor Small Bedroom
- Aforementioned electrical issue that has since been fixed. Poor workmanship.
- Seeking the request for appropriate electrical safety certificates on entire house. Also requesting gas safety certificates.
Internal – Second Floor Hallway
- Missing light bulbs since moving in.
Internal – Second Floor Middle Bedroom
- Kitchen unit extractor fan is exposed. Also makes intermittent buzzing noises when fan hits the ducting on occasion.
- Loft hatch is loose and hangs slightly.
- Fridge in kitchen unit is constantly leaking. Large towel discovered to be mopping up excess liquid spillage. Unsure who or when this was placed.
Internal – Second Floor Bathroom
- Sink has large chip in bowl. Has been glued together cheaply.
- Bath taps are actually incomplete – there should be a shower head and fittings. When turned the opposing way, large volumes of water are expelled onto the wall and floor where a shower system should be installed.
- Several light bulbs not working since arrival.
External – Patio and Yard
- Filled with household and DIY construction waste from summer.
- Recycling bin currently filled with mixed waste.
- Spare doors, excess plasterboard and timber line alley.
- Broken glass / broken light bulbs lining alley floor.
- Stairs to second floor bedrooms and bathroom allegedly have no planning permission. Neighbours frequently complaining about invasion of privacy to their bathroom window; which is both visible to the stair user and also prevents them from opening it. Also reportedly noisy when stairs are used.
- Current issues with external stairs also put in question the legality of the internal work, and thus the remainder of the house. Has the main stair in the hallway been removed with both permission and to constructional/health and safety standard?
- Various exposed wiring across alley wall – unsure if it is still live or not, considering the situation with the internal live issues. What purpose do these wires have?
General Issues
- Lack of chairs throughout the house. Just a sole kitchen table, now useless. There were chairs available on date of uptake of the property.
==============================================================
And the promised photo collage of some of the issues! Judge yourself if we are going a bit overboard on the complaints.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2009 06:34PM by danm.
Dan, holy crap dude!! That place takes some believing, it almost meets the criteria for being condemned LOL! Risk of fire, risk of flooding, risk of being burgled, amongst other things?! Jeez, how did you find this place? That list is just disturbing.
Hope you can get moved out of there ASAP, don't stay there any longer than you have to now!!!
Hope you can get moved out of there ASAP, don't stay there any longer than you have to now!!!
...Wow.
Almost every single item on that list can be placed somewhere on a scale of illegality. The situation has now been escalated to "code red" lol. If a fair number of those allegations prove to be correct, the landlord will not only be in flagrant breach of contract, but there is a very high chance that he would actually be fined heavily and barred from letting property ever again.
I fully support your decision to contact the authorities about the property, but it's a shame that you had to electrocute yourself to drive you to action.
Dan, if it were me, I would also send a copy of that letter to the local media. Papers would devour a story like that and the landloard's ass would be well and truly busted.
Please let us know how it all works out! I'm rooting for you lol.
K*bots UK, specialist providers of 'fun science' Curriculum Enhancement days for Primary and Secondary schools in Britain.
Please find us on [en.wikipedia.org] for more information.
Almost every single item on that list can be placed somewhere on a scale of illegality. The situation has now been escalated to "code red" lol. If a fair number of those allegations prove to be correct, the landlord will not only be in flagrant breach of contract, but there is a very high chance that he would actually be fined heavily and barred from letting property ever again.
I fully support your decision to contact the authorities about the property, but it's a shame that you had to electrocute yourself to drive you to action.
Dan, if it were me, I would also send a copy of that letter to the local media. Papers would devour a story like that and the landloard's ass would be well and truly busted.
Please let us know how it all works out! I'm rooting for you lol.
DAT'S GHETTO AS F### MAN!!!!
Sorry.... had to do that.
I love Locke's reaction as you go through this thread. From mild to full on Code Red now!
The Flanker is gone.
Sorry.... had to do that.
I love Locke's reaction as you go through this thread. From mild to full on Code Red now!
The Flanker is gone.
Also, if the property is via an agency representing a landlord and not a let directly from the university, a good one to bring up is the Deposit Protection Service [www.depositprotection.com]
In a nutshell, agencies now have to store your deposit with this scheme, so they cant put it in their pockets with the obvious results at the end of the tenancy. Failure to not comply with this is a fine of upto £5,000 I believe
As your landlord/agency seem quite oblivious, I would suspect you could get them over a barrel with this information as well. All the info you need is on the site.
I used to go to Pompey Uni as well so have been through the "housing" and to be honest, ignoring the electrocution side of things, your accommodation does seem pretty average from my experience, you're dreaming if a newspaper will take a look at this. However you seemed to have jumped in and assumed certain things such as chairs (why?).
NEVER assume with a landlord or agency at a uni, they're out to make money with the minimum amount of effort, mostly because they know students will likely break it, even though not all of us are like that, you need to check everything and ask what is and what is not included before going in. It is very odd though you're living there and have not signed a contract! Like Locke said, you're well within your rights to leave as they have no legal right to stop you.
Also, did I see earlier someone suggesting to call the police?! What is this, the 1950s? The police are too busy filling in health and safety paperwork and patrolling the unpatrollable laws we now have. They will laugh at you for reporting this. Lots.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2009 08:25PM by 97kirkc.
In a nutshell, agencies now have to store your deposit with this scheme, so they cant put it in their pockets with the obvious results at the end of the tenancy. Failure to not comply with this is a fine of upto £5,000 I believe
As your landlord/agency seem quite oblivious, I would suspect you could get them over a barrel with this information as well. All the info you need is on the site.
I used to go to Pompey Uni as well so have been through the "housing" and to be honest, ignoring the electrocution side of things, your accommodation does seem pretty average from my experience, you're dreaming if a newspaper will take a look at this. However you seemed to have jumped in and assumed certain things such as chairs (why?).
NEVER assume with a landlord or agency at a uni, they're out to make money with the minimum amount of effort, mostly because they know students will likely break it, even though not all of us are like that, you need to check everything and ask what is and what is not included before going in. It is very odd though you're living there and have not signed a contract! Like Locke said, you're well within your rights to leave as they have no legal right to stop you.
Also, did I see earlier someone suggesting to call the police?! What is this, the 1950s? The police are too busy filling in health and safety paperwork and patrolling the unpatrollable laws we now have. They will laugh at you for reporting this. Lots.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2009 08:25PM by 97kirkc.
Little Update.
The council came over to check out the claims we had made about the house.
Turned up at 9am sharp and spent a good 1 hour and 45 minutes taking notes and photos of everything old (and new) that could be seen.
There were a handful of new things wrong that we didn't spot - one of the biggest being the fact that my actual room doesn't meet the minium space standard required for a bedroom. LOL! According to their words, I shouldn't give my hopes up staying here long, and that was based solely on room size. HA!
Other minor things - landlord is renting the house on paper as 'two three bedroom places - 3 up, three down'. This is to bypass the legal requirements of a HBO licence. If you have more than four bedrooms spread over two floors, you need one. £500 or so per year. He hasn't, and has tried to cheat the system by saying the three bedrom upstairs are independant.
When we signed the house we were told the house was as one, and the three rooms in the attic that had their own bedsit cookers/external stair access/bathroom was separate. The foolish landlord wanted them to use the side alley/door as their entrance, and go up the backgarden spiral stairs. In the two floor sof the house, we would use the main door. Two separate houses, Makes sense.
BUT
He didn't give us the keys to the back door, because the attic rooms were allowed to 'use our kitchen'. So he told us we had to leave it open at all times. Ahem, security risk much? Rightly so, I got a set of those keys without question, access my ass!
So in short, he is looking at a £5000 fine for the lack of HBO, and likely a £5000 fine each for the lack of electrical/and gas safety certificates.
The council people inspecting were pretty certain we would likely be moving out, or getting it all fixed pretty fast. Myself especially, could be moved. They were talking to their legal team at the main offices to see what I should be doing - as basically I cannot be kicked out, none of us can, for two months. Gives us until Christmas to either find somewhere else, or negociate a house switch.
Jenson drives it like he owns it; Lewis drives it like he stole it
The council came over to check out the claims we had made about the house.
Turned up at 9am sharp and spent a good 1 hour and 45 minutes taking notes and photos of everything old (and new) that could be seen.
There were a handful of new things wrong that we didn't spot - one of the biggest being the fact that my actual room doesn't meet the minium space standard required for a bedroom. LOL! According to their words, I shouldn't give my hopes up staying here long, and that was based solely on room size. HA!
Other minor things - landlord is renting the house on paper as 'two three bedroom places - 3 up, three down'. This is to bypass the legal requirements of a HBO licence. If you have more than four bedrooms spread over two floors, you need one. £500 or so per year. He hasn't, and has tried to cheat the system by saying the three bedrom upstairs are independant.
When we signed the house we were told the house was as one, and the three rooms in the attic that had their own bedsit cookers/external stair access/bathroom was separate. The foolish landlord wanted them to use the side alley/door as their entrance, and go up the backgarden spiral stairs. In the two floor sof the house, we would use the main door. Two separate houses, Makes sense.
BUT
He didn't give us the keys to the back door, because the attic rooms were allowed to 'use our kitchen'. So he told us we had to leave it open at all times. Ahem, security risk much? Rightly so, I got a set of those keys without question, access my ass!
So in short, he is looking at a £5000 fine for the lack of HBO, and likely a £5000 fine each for the lack of electrical/and gas safety certificates.
The council people inspecting were pretty certain we would likely be moving out, or getting it all fixed pretty fast. Myself especially, could be moved. They were talking to their legal team at the main offices to see what I should be doing - as basically I cannot be kicked out, none of us can, for two months. Gives us until Christmas to either find somewhere else, or negociate a house switch.
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