Dec 292011
A Portsmouth Landlord has been ordered to pay almost £12,000 in fines and costs after ignoring orders to stop letting an unsafe house to students. Council officers found a bedroom was too small to be used as sleeping accommodation, three bedsit rooms were too small for sleeping and cooking facilities were sub-standard. The three bedsits and cooking facilities could only be accessed via an outside metal staircase. The council acted after complaints from the students. The Landlord, JL Homes Ltd, was fined £3000 for each offence plus costs. Councillor Steven Wylie said “By taking this action, it places all landlords on notice. Make sure your properties are in good order or we will take whatever action is necessary.”
Hi all,
I’m living in an horrible flat, disgusting conditions, with very rude neighbours. The agency promissed, before i moved in, everything fixed and more and more lies..
When i arrived i even had bed to sleep… The bed and mattress were stinking wee, the window open and the washing machine was on…
The constructors arrived the day after to paint the house and were there for a hole month, exposing me and my baby to that harmful smell of painting.
The tools were all over the place all the time, the baby always in ganger and no storage for about 2weeks.
The social worker was not interested in helping us, the health visitor said that she couldn’t do anything and the borough said that it should be resolved by the s. services.
I’m struggling to save money to move and finally, almost 1year later, with the debit i have to the agency, i can look for the very limited offers for dss tenants without guarantor or references from the lyiars at the agency but still nothing.
How can i proctect/defend myself?
Hi,
It sounds as though you’ve had it quite rough. What agency did you use? If they are a member of ARLA (the Association of Residential Letting Agents) then they should have an internal complaints procedure. Discuss your concerns with them and ask them for a copy of the complaints policy. If they fail to resolve the complaint satisfactorily, you can complain directly to ARLA (www.arla.co.uk).
You may also have a right to take legal action against your landlord for breach of covenants in the lease, such as the covenant to allow you quiet enjoyment of the property. The lease will almost certainly also contain covenants by the landlord to repair and maintain the property and will specify arrangements that the landlord has to follow to gain access for repairs.
For further advice, try contacting your local Citizens Advice Bureau, Law Centre or Shelter. Shelter has a free advice help line – 0808 800 4444.
Many thanks for your reply, your help and all the information.
The agency is On the House and I don’t know if they have already a complain.. sincerely, I am not interested in contact them again, only if I find a suitable property… I will send the key back by post, as I play fair even with unfair people.
I will also contact ARLA and try to find out what is the best solution from now… in last resource the Citizen Advice Bureau too.
Once again, many thanks for your work, so well elaborated, your kindness, attitude and gratitude.
Best regards.
Patry