Landlord breaches the rental agreement

[Mi4e]

Hi there
We have a fixed period tenancy agreement with a private landlord based in London. All the bills (gas, electricity, water and council tax) are included in the rent.

It seems that the landlord has not paid the gas and electicity bills for 6 months and today we received a letter from British Gas and EDF - they both have been issued court warrants to enter the premises and disconnect his supply of gas and electricity.

We have spoken to our landlord several times demaning he pays the bills asap but we get the same answer "ok, will pay, do not worry". But it does not seem like it.

Who can help us? The Council, the police?
Many thanks for your help!


Where can we complain?

[kira000]

Presumably you have it written in the tenncy agreement that all the bills are included in the rent?

If so, i would write, recorded delivery to each supplier who is owed, with a copy of the contract explaining the problem, and that you are trying to get the landlord to resolve the issue, and giving the landlords contact details so they can pursue him themselves.

At the same time, i would get copies of the letters from the suppliers, and send them recorded delivery , with a copy of the tenancy agreement highlighting the clause that specifies he is paying the bills. Also include a letter, politely detailing the occassions where you have contacted him about it. explain that he is in breach of contract and that unless he pays the bills, and provides proof of such by X date, then you will have no alternative but to withhold the rent in order to pay the bills yourself using this money.

[Twenty20]

I would only add to kira000's answer that you would 'withhold a proportion of the rent', i.e. not the whole rent, unless the amounts owing equaled the rent.

[Mi4e]

To All
Thank you