Landlord/Tenant/Letting Agency

[hayley2956]

Hi all

Me and my partner are currently renting a house, short term of 6 months, then in terms of 1 month after that.

Its a new house and still has a year under the Persimmon builders guarantee so any work we need doing has to go through them.

Thing is, is that we've had to have Persimmon out to fix a leak through the ceiling, paint the ceiling twice, change the lock on the door as it was broken and to do electrical stuff.

I rang Persimmon on 3rd Jan requesting an electrician and was told they would get in touch, I have complained to my letting agents twice since then and they have rang Persimmon. Its now Feb and I have had no contact with an electrician.

Each time we have Persimmon out we have to have days off work/uni to let them in. Its getting beyond a joke. I've already put in a written complaint to my letting agency about Persimmon 4 months ago, to which the Landlord has said nothing.

Anybody tell me what I can do, or any advice? I'm paying for a house with problems that no one wants to come and fix!

Thanks in adviance, sorry its so long!

PS. I haven't the time to move! lol

[Law Student]

I would be very surprised if you have any legal redress for your time off. Some problems have occurred since you commenced the tenancy and they have been repaired by the builder. That's what's supposed to happen.

Why do you need to be there to get the work done? The managing agent is paid to do this kind of stuff. Why not just give them a key and let them deal with the builder?

Regarding the delay, you can give the managing agent a deadline for getting the repairs done, and if they don't comply get the work done yourself and deduct the cost from your rent.

LS

[Twenty20]

I'm not sure what you're looking for? Are you looking for a rent reduction to compensate for the things wrong with the house, or do you want the agent to come out and be in the house when maintenance is being done?

If it's simply that youre trying to get work done quicker, then you can do as Law Student says and give a deadline then get quotes for the work yourself, but this will take more of your time.

In reality, if the house isn't suitable for whatever reason, or youre unhappy with the way the agent works, then it may be better to simply move. You say you don't have the time, but how much time are you spending with maintenance people at present? You can leave without notice at the end of the initial 6 month term, though its polite to give notice, or by giving 1 months notice whilst on the periodic tenancy.