Agency/Landlord won't carry out repairs
Hello all
I've been staying at a privately rented property for about 4 months and and theres repairs which haven't been carried out. The major issue we have is that there are crevices/holes which allow Rats to come into the bathroom and kitchen. We had the exterminators round 2 months ago and they discovered a dead decaying rat, which was causing a terrible smell. The exterminators also discovered the holes beneath the bath tub as well as below the sink in our kitchen. Me and the other housemates have sent numerous emails and made phone calls to the agency. However they just keep giving us false promises and excuses as to when the works will be carried out. The smell is absolutely awful and is even more noticeable in this hot weather.
I'm just seriously pissed off as I try to be a good tenant and keep the property clean and pay my rent on time.
What organisations can approach to get help to get these repairs carried out??? I live within the Newham borough. Can the council carry out the works on behalf of the agency as I feel rats are a potential health risk.
I'd appreciate any advice given. thanx
I've been staying at a privately rented property for about 4 months and and theres repairs which haven't been carried out. The major issue we have is that there are crevices/holes which allow Rats to come into the bathroom and kitchen. We had the exterminators round 2 months ago and they discovered a dead decaying rat, which was causing a terrible smell. The exterminators also discovered the holes beneath the bath tub as well as below the sink in our kitchen. Me and the other housemates have sent numerous emails and made phone calls to the agency. However they just keep giving us false promises and excuses as to when the works will be carried out. The smell is absolutely awful and is even more noticeable in this hot weather.
I'm just seriously pissed off as I try to be a good tenant and keep the property clean and pay my rent on time.
What organisations can approach to get help to get these repairs carried out??? I live within the Newham borough. Can the council carry out the works on behalf of the agency as I feel rats are a potential health risk.
I'd appreciate any advice given. thanx
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Comments
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_in_private_lets
The website will explain it better than I can but I think you can at least ask the council to order them to repair it by a certain date, if they don't do it themselves. I think environmental health would be interested.
Off the top of my head I don't know what else to recommend, but I hope you manage to get it sorted. Sounds awful to have to live with.
Eta: On a look through of that website withholding the rent isn't a good idea, but you might be able deduct repairs from it. Think the council is going to be first port of call though if the landlord continues to be useless. (Think it's slightly different up here in in Scotland as I'm sure you're allowed to do that).
Their website seems to suggest you can contact the council yourself to deal with vermin problems: http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/common_problems/pests_and_vermin
Good luck!
***Rats: How can the council help?
If you live in Newham and you have rats in your home our service is free. We will visit your home to find out the size and cause of the problem.
When we visit we will need to know:
where you have seen the rats or the signs of them you have found
if you or your neighbours have seen rats outside or seen holes in the garden
of any recent problems with drains in the area
if there are building works or roadworks nearby.
We will treat the problem, normally by leaving bait which rats like. We will explain what we have done and what you can do to help control the problem in the future.***
Pest Control Service
Town Hall Annex – First Floor
330–354 Barking Road
East Ham
London
E6 2RT
020 8430 4133
~ ~ Above is from Newham Council site,they can also be emailed....Good Luck!