Landlord not fullfilling maintenance obligations.

[Thermobaric]

Having some issues with my landlord and I was wondering if anyone could advise.

4 story house converted into flats. Issues regarding my second and third floor which is a dual level flat.

First of all, the lights in the communal areas haven't worked for over a year. No windows so the only light coming in is to the entrance area through some glass in the front door. Ground floor tenant doesn't seem to care, neither does the first floor tenant despite being in pretty much total darkness. By the time you get up to the second floor, with no natural light and no lights working, obviously pitch black and requires use of light of a phone/torch to navigate.

These lights should be on a timer that cuts out after a minute or so. I replaced the bulb outside the flat as landlord was not interested and it was on 24/7 for a months and then died.

The most recent thing is hot water has been dodgy for a few weeks, not producing enough for a shower. Before this there was a leak in the fourth floor en suite dripping down into the third floor. Landlord not interested. That has been going on for 2+ weeks. I happened to bump into the landlord of the first floor flat when the ground floor communal hall ceiling collapsed due to a leak on the first floor. I advised them their flat could potentially be compromised due to leak in my flat that my landlord wasn't doing anything about and they mentioned they knew my landlord and would call them. I guess they have a management company for the building? Anyway, finally get a call from my landlord acknowledging the leak saying he would take a look at it.

Gas safety certificate hasn't been done this year and I believe is around 2 weeks out of date.

I get a call from a tradesman saying they can't get in and could I let them in. Well, no, I'm at work... Landlord failed to advise me anyone was coming around to do anything and he didn't give them the correct keys and has gone off somewhere for who knows when with the spare keys.

Not to mention a bunch of stuff needs sorting, including en suite door fitted wrong way around so no secure place for handle to be fitted so falls off e.t.c.

Any suggestions on how to get him to pull his finger out?

[SantaBarbara]

Some of those issues are safety issues. Ask him will he get the corridor lighting fixed within two weeks, otherwise you intend to get it done by private contractor and invoice him for the costs

[superlightr]

So you are renting the flat?

A landlord must have a valid gas safety certificate - its a criminal offence not to.
You flat must also have smoke alarms - it may need a dedicated fire alarm system and may be a HMO.

If you landlord is not playing ball contact the council environmental team who will inspect and require suitable works to be done.

[TooMany2cvs]

Thermobaric said:

Gas safety certificate hasn't been done this year and I believe is around 2 weeks out of date.

I get a call from a tradesman saying they can't get in and could I let them in. Well, no, I'm at work... Landlord failed to advise me anyone was coming around to do anything and he didn't give them the correct keys and has gone off somewhere for who knows when with the spare keys.

I presume this "tradesman" was coming to do the gas safety check? Or was it some of the other work?

Thermobaric said:

Any suggestions on how to get him to pull his finger out?

Threaten to move.

Oh, and be prepared for your bluff to be called.

Your landlord very probably has zero to do with the fourth-floor flat, and almost certainly has zero to do with the communal areas. He simply owns the flat you happen to rent, and pays the service charge for the rest of the building. Is the hot water self-contained within your flat, or is it communal? He is quite probably passing your grief on to the management company, and can do no more. He can no more withhold the service charge than you can your rent.

Edited by TooMany2cvs on Monday 18th September 15:17