Any UK solicitors here? HELP!

[cuddly_tomato]

I am renting a place, which is unliveable right now because it has windows missing and a condemned flue liner (meaning I can't have heating on and it would freeze even if I could). It also has leaks in the roof and cracked skylights.

And has been like this since October.

But what the hell, I keep on banging away to the landlord to fix it and he keeps on saying he will.

So I go up today to pick up my mail and there is a padlock on my gate. I can't get in, and the postman can't deliver my mail, and I can't get my stuff.

I am still paying rent (in fact three months rent for a flat I haven't lived in) and have not been served any kind of notice. Not only that but my stuff is all still in there.

Am I entitled to break the lock off this damn gate?

 

[Nepeccel]

Call the police, they can sort it out!

 

[Ekonk]

Call the police, they can sort it out!

I agree with this.

 

[Lord George]

Break it, if it turns out the landlord put it up then blame it on damn unruly kids.

 

[Nmil-ek]

Get a legal advisor your landords taking you for a wash mate I would not break the lock just yet however could probably count as property damage even if you are totaly just courts are funny like that.

Have a look here your landlord will have certain obligations to you and to his/her employer and sounds like hes in clear violation of one or two.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/LettingYourHome/DG_4001391

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Kill the land...

I mean phone the poilce

 

[Wadders]

Bejeesus! That sounds shite, I feel bad for you

However, I can only offer this suggestion:

Fuck shit up!

You dont deserve to be treated like that. For an alternative, legal method, call the police, they will provide assistance, seeing as it's their job.

 

[Trivun]

Call the police, they can sort it out!

This, completely. I've been onto my landlord recently about a key for my fire escape door, since I live in a basement flat and the only ways out are either through a very narrow corridor to the front door (not an option if there's a fire down there) or a narrow staircase up to the main house where my housemates are, again not an option if upstairs is on fire. My fire escape door leads to a sunken area out back where a ladder takes me out to the back driveway. I still don't have a key for this door. So my landlord has said he'll get me one early next week (more important now than ever since we had a burglary when we were away over Christmas...).

But my point is, I spoke to my landlord, and my parents have said that if he doesn't sort it out then they'll tao him, and if nothing happens still they'll get the police involved (since the landlord is breaking the law regarding fire safety in the house). Your landlord is also breaking the law with this. So you need to talk to the police. Phone him first and threaten him with the police and legal action, if he still doesn't back down then go straight to the cops. Also, see if he's affiliated with any local housiong associations or, if you're a student, see if he's vouched for by your university/college student union. That's how it works in Leeds, anyway. Then get the local paper and any and all local media onto his arse (we did that with a crappy landlord and our student newspaper, though it was easier since one of my housemates is on the editorial team for it...).

 

[xHipaboo420x]

The police, you must call them.

Sounds like the landlord just needs a kick up the arse, and the police have pretty hefty boots...

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Bejeesus! That sounds shite, I feel bad for you

However, I can only offer this suggestion:

Fuck shit up!

You dont deserve to be treated like that. For an alternative, legal method, call the police, they will provide assistance, seeing as it's their job.

Thanks. I really am tempted to fuck shit up.

Here is my fireplace.

Here is one of my windows.

It is on the tenancy agreement that he is responsible for this shit, and I have been paying £350 a month since October for it, and constant promises of "oh I will do it soon". This new lock means I can't even get in, and my postman can't even deliver mail (meaning I might miss something important like a bill), and has kind of pushed me over the edge a bit.

 

[Raven's Nest]

That's pretty messed up man... Break the lock, get your stuff back, replace the lock and then call the police...

Then sue his arse for breaching his contract with you...

Then piss on his kids...

 

[ribonuge]

Call the police, they can sort it out!

I agree with this.

Is it wrong of me to think that you're avatar is somewhat soothing? Reminds me of caramel apples.

OT: That's bullshit, you're paying for something and not getting you're moneys worth. You could sue the landlord.

 

[Trivun]

Spoiler: Snipped for length

Bejeesus! That sounds shite, I feel bad for you

However, I can only offer this suggestion:

Fuck shit up!

You dont deserve to be treated like that. For an alternative, legal method, call the police, they will provide assistance, seeing as it's their job.

Thanks. I really am tempted to fuck shit up.

Here is my fireplace.

Here is one of my windows.

It is on the tenancy agreement that he is responsible for this shit, and I have been paying £350 a month since October for it, and constant promises of "oh I will do it soon". This new lock means I can't even get in, and my postman can't even deliver mail (meaning I might miss something important like a bill), and has kind of pushed me over the edge a bit.

Two questions:

1. Whereabouts are you living? What town/city?
2. Are you a student or similar?

If so, then give me ten minutes and I'll see if there are any groups or associations or whatever that are local to you that you can contact for more advice. Here in Leeds, because I'm a member of LUU (Leeds University Union), I have access to Unipol which helps Leeds students with accommodation concerns, and student landlords should be registered with them for people to know they're trustworthy and so on. I can see if there's anything similar near you if you want me to...

 

[Wadders]

Bejeesus! That sounds shite, I feel bad for you

However, I can only offer this suggestion:

Fuck shit up!

You dont deserve to be treated like that. For an alternative, legal method, call the police, they will provide assistance, seeing as it's their job.

Thanks. I really am tempted to fuck shit up.

Here is my fireplace.

*grim pics*

It is on the tenancy agreement that he is responsible for this shit, and I have been paying £350 a month since October for it, and constant promises of "oh I will do it soon". This new lock means I can't even get in, and my postman can't even deliver mail (meaning I might miss something important like a bill), and has kind of pushed me over the edge a bit.

Damn! That's just not cricket. Have you actually threatened legal action of some kind if it isn't done soon?

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Spoiler: Snipped for length

Bejeesus! That sounds shite, I feel bad for you

However, I can only offer this suggestion:

Fuck shit up!

You dont deserve to be treated like that. For an alternative, legal method, call the police, they will provide assistance, seeing as it's their job.

Thanks. I really am tempted to fuck shit up.

Here is my fireplace.

Here is one of my windows.

It is on the tenancy agreement that he is responsible for this shit, and I have been paying £350 a month since October for it, and constant promises of "oh I will do it soon". This new lock means I can't even get in, and my postman can't even deliver mail (meaning I might miss something important like a bill), and has kind of pushed me over the edge a bit.

Two questions:

1. Whereabouts are you living? What town/city?
2. Are you a student or similar?

If so, then give me ten minutes and I'll see if there are any groups or associations or whatever that are local to you that you can contact for more advice. Here in Leeds, because I'm a member of LUU (Leeds University Union), I have access to Unipol which helps Leeds students with accommodation concerns, and student landlords should be registered with them for people to know they're trustworthy and so on. I can see if there's anything similar near you if you want me to...

Not student. Living in the town of Birkenhead in Wirral.

I am looking at this right now.

http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/askthesiteqandas/housingqandas/lockedout

And wondering if this counts as "changing the locks". The actual locks to my premises haven't been changed, there is just a new padlock on an enormous gate which means I can't get access (and I had no notification of this or anything). I reckon I can get the police out to the bastard.

 

[Trivun]

Spoiler: Snipped for length

Bejeesus! That sounds shite, I feel bad for you

However, I can only offer this suggestion:

Fuck shit up!

You dont deserve to be treated like that. For an alternative, legal method, call the police, they will provide assistance, seeing as it's their job.

Thanks. I really am tempted to fuck shit up.

Here is my fireplace.

Here is one of my windows.

It is on the tenancy agreement that he is responsible for this shit, and I have been paying £350 a month since October for it, and constant promises of "oh I will do it soon". This new lock means I can't even get in, and my postman can't even deliver mail (meaning I might miss something important like a bill), and has kind of pushed me over the edge a bit.

Two questions:

1. Whereabouts are you living? What town/city?
2. Are you a student or similar?

If so, then give me ten minutes and I'll see if there are any groups or associations or whatever that are local to you that you can contact for more advice. Here in Leeds, because I'm a member of LUU (Leeds University Union), I have access to Unipol which helps Leeds students with accommodation concerns, and student landlords should be registered with them for people to know they're trustworthy and so on. I can see if there's anything similar near you if you want me to...

Not student. Living in the town of Birkenhead in Wirral.

I am looking at this right now.

http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/askthesiteqandas/housingqandas/lockedout

And wondering if this counts as "changing the locks". The actual locks to my premises haven't been changed, there is just a new padlock on an enormous gate which means I can't get access (and I had no notification of this or anything). I reckon I can get the police out to the bastard.

Birkenhead as in the one by Liverpool, right? Here's something I was able to find on the Liverpool council website, not sure how much help it will be but it might be worth a read-through in any case:

http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/Housing/Private_housing/Landlord_accreditation_scheme/Information_for_tenants/index.asp

Either way, your landlord is definitely in the wrong here, and a good police officer or solicitor could easily spin 'adding a padlock' into something regarding changing locks if they had to. Here's something I noticed on your link anyway:

If your landlord wants to change the locks as part of a repair it is important to know that private landlords have certain obligations. These include:

Allowing tenants to live peacefully in the accommodation;
Carrying out some kinds of repairs;
Meeting safety requirements;
Accepting rent and providing certain information;
If your landlord wants to take the property back, they must go through the proper legal procedures.[/quote

Four out of those five have not been met. I'd say taking him to court would be a pretty good idea and something you'll most likely win. Either way, whatever you do, good luck and I hope everything gets sorted out for you .

 

[Wildrow12]

Then piss on his kids...

Ewww....Raven, you scare me sometimes.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Spoiler: Snipped for length

Bejeesus! That sounds shite, I feel bad for you

However, I can only offer this suggestion:

Fuck shit up!

You dont deserve to be treated like that. For an alternative, legal method, call the police, they will provide assistance, seeing as it's their job.

Thanks. I really am tempted to fuck shit up.

Here is my fireplace.

Here is one of my windows.

It is on the tenancy agreement that he is responsible for this shit, and I have been paying £350 a month since October for it, and constant promises of "oh I will do it soon". This new lock means I can't even get in, and my postman can't even deliver mail (meaning I might miss something important like a bill), and has kind of pushed me over the edge a bit.

Two questions:

1. Whereabouts are you living? What town/city?
2. Are you a student or similar?

If so, then give me ten minutes and I'll see if there are any groups or associations or whatever that are local to you that you can contact for more advice. Here in Leeds, because I'm a member of LUU (Leeds University Union), I have access to Unipol which helps Leeds students with accommodation concerns, and student landlords should be registered with them for people to know they're trustworthy and so on. I can see if there's anything similar near you if you want me to...

Not student. Living in the town of Birkenhead in Wirral.

I am looking at this right now.

http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/askthesiteqandas/housingqandas/lockedout

And wondering if this counts as "changing the locks". The actual locks to my premises haven't been changed, there is just a new padlock on an enormous gate which means I can't get access (and I had no notification of this or anything). I reckon I can get the police out to the bastard.

Birkenhead as in the one by Liverpool, right? Here's something I was able to find on the Liverpool council website, not sure how much help it will be but it might be worth a read-through in any case:

http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/Housing/Private_housing/Landlord_accreditation_scheme/Information_for_tenants/index.asp

Either way, your landlord is definitely in the wrong here, and a good police officer or solicitor could easily spin 'adding a padlock' into something regarding changing locks if they had to. Here's something I noticed on your link anyway:

If your landlord wants to change the locks as part of a repair it is important to know that private landlords have certain obligations. These include:

Allowing tenants to live peacefully in the accommodation;
Carrying out some kinds of repairs;
Meeting safety requirements;
Accepting rent and providing certain information;
If your landlord wants to take the property back, they must go through the proper legal procedures.

Four out of those five have not been met. I'd say taking him to court would be a pretty good idea and something you'll most likely win. Either way, whatever you do, good luck and I hope everything gets sorted out for you .

Thanks Trivun. After looking at that page I am fairly certain I can really do this guy up like a kipper. At the very least I can have enough to make his life as inconvenient as he has made mine.

Urgh. That page...

"Are you thinking about renting from a Private Landlord? If so:

*We encourage you to rent from an accredited landlord."

...the landlord apparently had "problems" with his previous tennant who left on very bad terms with him, owing him a lot of rent and still managing to retain her deposit. I suppose, on reflection, I should have thought a bit more carefully about that. But the place was like a palace. Two living rooms, two bedrooms, seperate toilet and bathroom, nice kitchen, storage room, all for £350. I signed the lease there and then.

LEARN FROM THIS PEOPLE!

Anyway, thanks for the advice and kind words everyone. It's settled my nerves a bit. First thing in the morning I phone Shelter then phone him.

 

[Raven's Nest]

Then piss on his kids...

Ewww....Raven, you scare me sometimes.

These statements are more for comedic effect... The voices do tell me to do it though...

 

[Wildrow12]

Then piss on his kids...

Ewww....Raven, you scare me sometimes.

These statements are more for comedic effect... The voices do tell me to do it though...

Well, as long the voices don't tell you anything about skin-care products, illegal incarceration, and buckets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDgS6qLsVM4