Letting Agency Landlord Problems

[uncle paulie]

Excuse me if i'm posting in the wrong place,

my brother put me onto you saying this is the site to find some excellent advice about anything.

I am seeking advice on letting agency/landlord woes at the moment ,

i would appreciate it if anyone could point me in the right direction, in the meantime i will be having a good look around myself

, thanks a lot in advance.

[honeybee13]

Hello, welcome to CAG. 

I can't post a link from my phone but you need to look for our residential lettings forum. 

HB

 

[AndyOrch]

Topic moved to appropriate forum....please continue to post here.

Topic title amended.

 

Andy.

 

.

[uncle paulie]

I will do, i am very new to this kinda thing but i'll get there,Thank you very much honeybee,

 

[Nicky Boy]

You've been moved to the right forum by Andy, uncle paulie.

Have you any questions for the team at the moment?

Or are you still reading up?

[uncle paulie]

Still reading up thanks Nicky, and trying to sort profile pick ha ha

[Grotesque]

Cool user name @uncle paulie. Profile pic should be easy when there are so many Paulies to choose from. Some of em might even be uncles 

[uncle paulie]

i'm a Rocky fan

 

[Grotesque]

Great stuff, I think Paulie Cicero would be mine

 

Now, as we were. Apologies for the thread derailment.

[uncle paulie]

I'll try get this out in one go, 

in LA/LL inventory it states (with photos)"garage, slightly worn roof." Also in the original LA ad it states " garage to the rear of property" which is one reason why i rented it, another is because it's a bungalow and i'm disabled and stairs are a problem.

LA stated there is no pictures of the inside of the garage therefore it doesn't count. I've been in touch by email because after the last inspection the LL decided it's unsafe and he is going to lock it up as it has asbestos roof and i have to remove all my belongings before 18th nov,

i've lived here over 4 yrs now.

I explained to them that i was prepared to put a quality fitted tarpaulin on the roof(at my expense) to protect everything. The main issue here to me is that they are saying the garage was not included,

i'm confused as to what to do next and feel i was mislead, do i have a leg to stand on with this, or should i just move on?  thanks

    I've been called on a mission, gonna log out (i do everything on pc) catch ya later, thanks again.

[AndyOrch]

What does it state in your tenancy agreement/lease ? any reference to a garage and use of ?

 

Andy

[uncle paulie]

   Thanks for the prompt reply Andy,

unfortunately i got summonsed (grandads taxi).

In the agreement it just states the usual "fixtures fittings and any other effects listed in the inventory" 

In the inventory itself it has several photos of the garage but one is just the garage on it's own and is listed "garage, slightly worn roof"

I have mentioned this to them via email, their reply was "because there is no picture of the inside then it doesn't count"  There is no mention that it should not be used. 

Both agreement and inventory are signed by myself and the lettings agency.

                                             

I received an email (copied and pasted)

      "We work for the Landlord and he has asked that you please remove your belongings from the garage by Saturday  18th of November. 

 

The Landlord will then lock it up as it is unsafe especially with the roof of the garage containing asbestos, so by putting a tarpaulin up will unfortunately not resolve the problem.

 

Again as we work for the Landlord we have to take his word that is was not part of the inventory".

 

              Thanks   Paul

[Nicky Boy]

"because there is no picture of the inside then it doesn't count"

[uncle paulie]

 Had a mate pop round 2day and he said the same thing laughed his head off, nice to know others think the same way, ta!

 

[Grotesque]

It doesn't sound like the agency has a lot of faith in him, either... "as we work for the Landlord we have to take his word" sounds like "we know it sounds totally dodgy, but don't shoot the messenger, guv"

[uncle paulie]

 Totally agree, only issue is word of mouth from LL surely means nothing, documents are signed and agreed by LA and myself. Maybe just trying it on hoping it will all go away. I've even thought of asking to sign some doc stating i won't hold anyone responsible for any injury or damage caused within the garage but i feel i'll be flogging a dead horse. 

 

[Nicky Boy]

No, certainly don't offer to take responsibility for someone else's problem.

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that the LL should be doing the work to make the garage safe.

Have you looked around to see how much garage rental would be?

Ask for a pro rata reduction in rent for loss of amenities?

[uncle paulie]

  Yeah i hear ya , been looking for another place to rent but there ain't much about at the min, thing is Nicky i got a classic bike i've bin working on when i can and can't get about much coz of injuries, thankfully next door has offered to put bike in her garage before he locks it up, can't thank her enough, but i got allsorts of tools. Got friends n family lookin out for us, summat will turn up.  cheers

 

[uncle paulie]

       Gonna log out guys, worn out,old man's getting tired, thanks for chats, 

[stu007]

Hi

Your Agreement stated fixtures and fittings but also items listed in the move in inventory and one of those listed with photos is the Garage
so IMO that means according to your agreement that Garage is part of your Agreement.

The letting Agencies excuse because no photos of inside Garage therefore not on Agreement is a load of BULL and an excuse by them to cover up
there incompetence that it is in fact part of your Agreement and any error is the Letting Agencies.

The Landlord requesting you remove your items as the roof has asbestos if this is the case the Landlord would not be in the wrong as even you putting a tarpaulin over it would be a risk and the Landlord needs to protect there Tenants from this potential health hazard as this may need specialist in to remove the asbestos roof depending on what type of asbestos.

This does not stop you asking for something pro rata discount as you could point out the Letting Agencies error and that the Garage according to the Move In inventory and the clause in the Agreement mean it is part of the Agreement.

I do hope they have protected your Deposit (if any paid) and you have been given a copy of the prescribed terms for the relevant Tenancy Deposit Scheme it is protected in.

If you are in England I do hope they have also given you a copy of the How to Rent Guide:

How to rent - GOV.UK

WWW.GOV.UK

---

This guide is for people who are looking for a house or flat to rent.

 

Private renting: Your rights and responsibilities - GOV.UK

WWW.GOV.UK

---

Private renting as a tenant - repairs, rent increases and arrears, settling disputes, deposits and your rights and responsibilities.

 

[uncle paulie]

  Thank you very much Stu, 

       I don't recall any other documents other than tenancy agreement, i was sent the inventory recently by email. I find it very strange and frustrating that they say it's not in the inventory and they send me photo's that prove it is. I have to say that i never complained about the garage at all, it was their property inspector who brought it to light.

          I have gone through the agencys official complaints sent yesterday and am awaiting reply, i understand the LL concerns and yes i agree, it seems reading back through emails they are trying blame the LL to cover their own backs.  Personally i've lost trust in them and am thinking of moving on, i need storage for my bike and tools so have no choice really. I will check out the links you sent me. Also i'll search "asking for something pro rata discount" as i've never heard of that.

                                                          Thanks again,    Paul

[Nicky Boy]

24 minutes ago, uncle paulie said:

Also i'll search "asking for something pro rata discount" as i've never heard of that.

Discount on your rent, based on what it would cost to rent a garage separately..

eg. £50 a month to rent a garage locally = £50 a month knocked off the rent.

[uncle paulie]

    Thanks Nicky,

                I'll have a good look today, brothers visiting tomorrow so i'll pick his brains too

                                                         cheers,     Paul

[stu007]

Hi

Any update on this at all???

[uncle paulie]

No not yet Stu, i've put in a formal complaint and just got to wait for reply, emptied the garage with a couple of mates, all in back yard covered with tarpaulin and they never turned up to put lock on garage. Annoying to say the least.

            Thanks for asking ,