Hi Guys,
Looking for a little advice with regards to the property me and Laura are currently in.
I have plenty of lawyer friends, but none of them know about property!
Ok, so me and Laura moved into our flat on March 11th.
Got the water turned on on the 12th, and immediately found a leak in the en suite shower. Called up the estate agents (going through them, not direct with landlord - which is annoying!). Was told it will be in hand and taken care of.
The next Monday, I started decorating, when there was a knock at the door. The guy from downstairs had come up to let me know that his En Suite ceiling had just collapsed.
I was straight onto the Estate Agents, and they immediately sent round their builder, who discovered there was a crack in the shower basin, and the waste pipe was corroded through.
But because he was working for estate agent, he couldnt do anymore as the landlord had to approve costs.
2 weeks later the landlords builder finally arrived (bit of a shady charachter according to Laura), and was just doing side jobs for the landlord, but wouldnt be able to do anything for weeks.
All went quiet.
I got back from sea on the 13th, and went to the estate agents in person on the 14th. I was told that the landlord had just recently asked them to take care of the repair and to bill him. I was then told that their builder was busy until 20th, but it would be sorted.
Ive spent all this week calling up asking whats happening after the builder didnt arrive as planned on Monday.
Each time the agents have said they will chase it up and call me back. Suffice to say they havent.
Laura finally got some answers outta them today, and they said their builder isnt available till the 11th. But cant do weekends.
We explained to them 5 weeks ago that I work away, and that once I go back to sea, then weekend are only time available for soemone to come round. We were told that was fine.
I go back to sea on Monday.
So basically it will be 9 weeks by the time it gets sorted (if it gets sorted). Our leasing aggreement says that "landlord will make repairs in reasonable time)
We're paying full rent thorughout this period, and we cant even use our en suite. Something which these flats carry a premium for!
I tried to get to see CAB tomorrow, but no slots available.
We dont know if we are now in a position where we can get the work done ourselves, and charge the landlord.
Or wheteh we are in our rights to demand discount on the rent until its sorted.
If anyone has any advice, or has been through similar situations and can pass on knowledge, it would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Al