Urgent Advice Needed

[alisonf]

I am currently renting I moved in on 12 January,

for the past 2 weeks we have had no hot water or heating and In my mind this is an unhabitable home.

Every time the plumber comes out something else on the boiler breaks and we still do not have any hot water or heating...

Do I have to pay legally have to pay rent when I can hardly live due to the landlords rubbish boiler???

I am calling the landlord in an hour please help....

[missm]

is it private or thru a letting agreement

[alisonf]

We got it through a letting agent, but they said we only deal with the landlord once we got it. Is that private i have never rented before....

[missm]

mmm i think it would be private...

take a look at
SHELTER
ARLA
also google tenants rights.

[missm]

Shelter Helpline

0808 800 4444

[demon_x_slash]

Alison -

A home with no hot water or heating is classed as uninhabitable. Even though you have a private landlord, you can go to your local Housing Officer at the Council. They will assess your situation and can force your landlord to rectify the problems if he's being difficult - especally the heating at this time of year, in this cold snap (I mean, snow, people!). Keep a log of what's been done already (you said someone had been out to fix and it hadn't worked?) and try and keep communication with your landlord in writing, for any proof that you may need at a later date. There is a similar thread here that might be worth a read through.

As to rent, you may be able to keep a portion of it back for the time that you were without hot water and heating - however, think very carefully about this because it may lead to a proper dispute between you and your LL (funny how they only seem to perk up when there's money involved, eh?). Speak to the Housing Officer, or to Shelter and ARLA, to get some advice on this before considering it.

Get back to us with any developments and we'll go from there.

[alisonf]

I have lodged a complaint, with the enviromental officer(housing dont deal with it apparently!) They will get back to me in due course

[alisonf]

Ive now left several messages for my landlord today and he still has not got back to me. I have the earliest appoint ment i could get with CAB on the 19th

Other than that there doesnt appear to be any more I can do.

Thank you everyone for your help

[demon_x_slash]

No probs - just wrap up well 'til things get sorted and warm yourself with thoughts of the partial rebate you can backclaim from the rent when it does get sorted

[blacksheep1979]

If its a gas boiler also check that you have a gas safety certificate issued by a corgi registered proffesional. I would write to the landlord and give him 7 days to sort the problem if after that time he hasn't, obtain 3 quotes for the work and have the cheapest do it. After this withold that money from your rent - make sure you put this in your letter to your landlord so he is warned of about you taking this path.