Serious head here. Can anyone advise.a friend rang with a problem and i am not sure what to tell her?

Annie

A gate is not a major issue but other more serious repairs will arise (eg no heating/hot water) and will the landlady have the same threatening attitude then. Your friend needs to check her tenancy agreement to see what repairs are to be carried out by the landlady or if its just a verbal agreement. If verbal, the landlady will have certain repair obligations implied by the law/verbal agreement. As violence has been threatened (only in response to a request for repairs!), I would advise her to get legal advice. Your friend may find that her local council offer free housing advice (via the Housing dept) or she could approach the local housing advice/legal advice centre if you have one.

Your friend could consider witholding rent (the landlady should be informed in writing by rec delivery and the rent money must be put aside to be paid to the landlady as soon as the landlady has had the repairs carried out and she should be advised of this in the letter) or using rent money to pay for the repairs-but this is a legal minefield and could result in the landlady commencing legal action for possesion (and getting it) or sending around the 'heavies'. There are laws protecting tenants from illegal eviction and threats from their landlords. I would advise her to go and see the Council's housing advice section/a solicitor/ legal advice centre for advice taking any tenancy agreement/other paperwork with her. Your friend may qualify for legal aid if seeing a solicitor if she is on benefits/low income. Another maybe easier and straightforward option is to find somewhere else to live but I realise she may have given the landlady a substantial deposit.

bella

Tell her to ring Environmental Health Department at the local council.Even though she is a private tenant they will hel;p her.
She should also make an appointment to see a solicitor straight away.

Dellboy from UK

I doubt very much that there is any mention of gates in the letting agreement. No gates is hardly going to affect one's quality of life. I think you have to take a reasonable and practical view of this - as a court would.
However, the "other faults" could be different. Put these in writing to the landlady and ask her to deal with them. If she doesn't, then seek further advice, depending on how serious the faults are.
As to the threat to send thugs round, this should be reported to the police, insisting that they keep a record of the complaint. They won't do anything at this stage, but if it happens again, its strengthens your case.

j2frw

tell her to talk to the police

Black Orchid

What a bully !!! You did right your friend should either see a solicitor or get in touch with her local Citizens advice bureau , Your friend should also keep any copies of letters and if possible tape any phone calls

sauceysecret2003

I totally agree with you.
I would tell her to report her to the fair rents section also through the council.

I think in the long term I would be looking for new accommodation.

hms jollies

tell her to phone her back up but this time record what she say as your Friend has no proof that it was said then when she has that go to police and get her charged with threatening behaviour

Lewis

Absolutely J she must go and see a solicitor, Tell her to take The Tenancy Agreement with her, if she has one. Not a straight forward situation i am afraid, especially with the "Thugs bit" , so she may want to visit the local Police as well. good luck!

Sal*UK

I agree with you!

Ulster roots

phone the environmental health department and pop to the police station and make a report for safety!

WTamSP

hi she needs to speak to her council citizens advice and her solicitor hugs

realdolby

List all the faults and send them to the Landlord gently reminding him that until the faults are rectified no further rent will be paid.The same course of action a Solicitor would take but without his costs.

joan k

Tell your friend to list all the faults in a letter to the landlady, send the letter by Recorded Delivery and keep a copy. If the faults aren't rectified she could go to the CAB, or a solicitor. As for the threats this is a form of harassment and can be a criminal offence.

Outspoken but Honest

Little word to her local police should help as it will be noted for future reference!

C H

she should seriously think of moving out of this woman's house find a nice landlady/landlord they are not all like that mine is wonderful as soon as i ring with a problem she deals with it. she should go and see citizen advice bureau to ask for assistance in finding somewhere else and to document anything this woman might do. good luck

Kelly

i agree with u

Well i Never!

is she still taking her rent every month? if so send the boys round to hers!!

The Boss

I can help but you will owe me a favor.

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