Dead cats in garden-help!!!

[taurus66]

A friend of mine has just moved into private rented accommodation with his pregnant girlfriend. On closer inspection of the garden in daylight they came across 2 dead cats. They have brought this to the attention of the landlord who says he rang the Environmental Health who in turn have said they cannot do anything.
This has put them off living in the property, apart from the electrics in the property being a bit dodgy, broken gas fires. It's almost certain that the cooker is wired up illegally.
They have paid a months rent and a months deposit and are scared they may not be able to recover any of this if they decide to move. The tenancy begins on 1st November.
What is their position legally? Can anyone advise please.Would be grateful for all input.
Thanks

[MrShed]

Not being funny, I just dont particularly get the problem? Cats die unfortunately....they could have been attacked by a dog or anything. What exactly is the root cause you are thinking that you are worried about?

[Ed999]

Please read this thread: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...w-posters.html

We will need all the information requested there if we are to offer any useful suggestions.

[CSJ2K]

If you find out how they died, let me know - next door's cat keeps doing it's business in my garden and damaging plants. I would be happy to find them dead in my garden. (kind of joking and serious at the same time lol).

Have their been any issues with rats? If rat poison has been put down, this is also deadly to cats.

If there are issues of safety of gas and electricity etc. and they cannot escape the agreement, they should go to their local council and ask them to send a housing standards officer or at least threaten the landlord with it.

[TideTurner]

Have they signed a Tenancy Agreement? Is the property safe? Are they taking the landlords word about the Environmental Health, and did they simply check the cats or the electricity and gas fires also?