Thetownend.com

Yet another thread asking for advice. I don't how much anybody knows about this kind of thing, but I'm having some serious issues with my tenancy.

I have a joint contract with a friend on a flat in Highbury. In May, we started to have issues with water coming up through the carpet. The first time it happened wasn;t too bad, the carpet got a bit damp and we reported it, so the property manager sent somebody to come and look at it.

Just as work was about to be done on it, the property manager changed because the landlord went bankrupt. By this time, the whole carpet had become waterlogged through subsequent events, and we told them the issue was urgent. The carpet was soaked through, it started to go mouldy, and the whole flat began to smell terrible. This all happened atleast two months ago, and all that has happened so far is that the carpet has been removed.

It's been pissing it down here today, and once again a load of water has come in. The problem was originally caused by a blocked drain, but I went out today to find that the downpipe from flats above had water gushing out all over my door, and somehow seeping through to the living room. Only now there is no carpet to soak it up, it's just a big puddle on the underlining.

Plenty of people have said we should have got out of this flat a long time ago, but the problem lies in doing it in a way that is legal and won't result in me being ordered to pay £5000 in backdated rent this time next year having moved to a new place. I'm going to call the property manager first thing in the morning, tell him the problems, let him know how pissed off I am with the situation, and tell him that I'm seeking legal advice (which I will get from my Students' Union).

I just wondered if anybody on here had any useful links or snippets of advice really?

What's the status with the landlord's bankruptcy proceedings?

Who owns, or is in charge, of the property at the moment?

Could you also elaborate on the duration of the tenancy agreement and the period of time that has elapsed since it was signed. Also, are/were the flats above you owned by the same landlord ?

Furthermore, should you contact the 'property manager' then I would enquire as to whether your deposit was ring-fenced in a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme.

They're in breach of contract, check your tenancy agreement. The issue will be getting your deposit back.

Take some photos of the floor and downpipe and keep all correspondence.

Bushey should be able to help you with advice, let's hope he still reads this forum!

I assume you have an Assured Shorthold tenancy, in which case, find somewhere else to live, give a months notice of your intent to terminate tenancy. Move out.

If it is more complicated than that simply go to your local authority housing department and make an appointment for housing advice.

Thanks folks.

The flat is now owned by the landlord's mortgage company, and is run for them by a property manager

The agreement runs from September 2008 to July 2010. The landlord doesn't own any of the other properties.

I've spoken to the property manager this morning. Thankfully, the guy who I've been dealing with for the past couple of months has moved to another department - he was a right bellend. The guy I spoke to this morning was much more helpful and has totally agreed that we should want to move out. I'm going to speak to the legal advisers at my university now, just to see what my position is with regards to the terms of the contract.

I've also asked the property manager to speak to the new owners to see if they'd be willing to let us move out so they can sell the property. It might be a move that suits both parties. If not, hopefully the problems will be reason enough to move out and I'll start trying to find a new place as quickly as possible.

bushey would help but he is doing his hair.

 phone your local citizens advice centre.

The student union should be pretty good with there matters. Hope all works out!

Yep, unions usually have a welfare advisor who will be a trained individual (I.E - not a student sabbatical officer who's only qualification would tend to be a few A levels and a load of mates who can vote them in) who will be able to help you out.

When you move out take a shit in the oven

Here speaks one of the wisest of all the wise TEFers...

Difficult manouevre, depending on the design - best technique would probably to drop said item onto the inside of an open door (presuming its a flip down door) and then close it quickly, hurling said item in to the oven.

A side opening door presents an even greater problem - you may need to incorporate a baking tray.

Clearly this will take some planning...

Shit onto a sheet of greaseproof paper then just then just slide/turn it in.

Amatuers.  Everyone knows you shit in the cistern.  It will break up a treat and flush just beautifully.

Ok, so the property manager spoke to the mortgage company who owns the flat, and they've agreed to let us move out on 14th October so they can sell the place. I'm getting that put in writing before they realise they've let it get into a condition so bad that nodboy will want to buy it!

So now I guess I'd better hurry up and find a new flat by the time term starts!