Bit of rental advice : Wed Nov 27, 2013 8:09 pm  

Starting to get a little peeved off with the letting agents. Moved into a property on the 1/11/2013, with (almost) no problems. The two problems I have had are the power shower not working and the garage door not opening.

I first reported these problems on the 4/11/2013, and have since made a dozen phone calls to different people in the letting agency. The usual reply is either; waiting for the landlord to get back to them, person dealing is on lunch will return call (never happens), or that the person I need is not in at all today.

I was wondering, short of phone calls and ignored emails what course of action I should take? I was thinking about (in writing), stating that I wish to have the work undertaken and will deduct money from rent, which a Google search (sort of) lists that as a course of action.

The lettings company is quite a big one (Reeds Rains), although that obviously doesn't count for much.

Re: Bit of rental advice : Thu Nov 28, 2013 10:14 am  

We had a similar problem a while back. Part of the problem is that your letting agent is simply a 'middle man' - it can't authorise any work without getting approval from its 'client' (your landlord). If the landlord is being evasive, there is little the agent can do.

We eventually got our agent to sign a 'Letter Before Action' that we drafted. We didn't specify what action at the time (in truth, we didn't know what the next step was), but it did do enough to force the landlord to at least acknowledge the issue. It was sorted soon after.

Re: Bit of rental advice : Thu Nov 28, 2013 10:50 am  

Have you looked at the CAB advice ? : http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/h ... enting.htm

Have you looked at the CAB advice ? : http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/h ... enting.htm

Re: Bit of rental advice : Thu Nov 28, 2013 11:56 am  

Don't pay the rent and wait for the inevitable contact. Not ideal, but works every time.

Re: Bit of rental advice : Thu Nov 28, 2013 2:18 pm  

As tempting as it may seem not paying your rent is a very bad piece of advice as it could lead to grounds for your eviction and/or penalty charges for rent arrears.

Re: Bit of rental advice : Thu Nov 28, 2013 2:21 pm  

Not paying the rent would also very likely lead to a marker on your credit file, which would be a royal pain in the ass.

Re: Bit of rental advice : Fri Nov 29, 2013 6:14 pm  

Not paying rent isn't an option,I would suggest going in person to your letting agents office and not shifting until you get a satisfactory outcome