Tenancy agreement - Ending early

[NismoGT]

Would anyone be able to give me some advice in this matter , on her behalf?

My partner lives with a friend in a town house. The rental is £700 PCM.

Today she receievd a gas bill for £750 ( for the month )

She cehcked the metre and was hit with a wall of gas , so it is clear that there has been a leak. They have had no hot water since Spetmeber last year when they moved in.

She has contacted the landlord many times in regards to this and it is only today after a call to the gas board that a leaking boiler has been isolated.

Her landlord was a complete tt to her today on the phone , claiming she had broken her tenancy agreement by calling out the free National grid service to isolate a gas leak. He also claimed they are bad tennants because they have constantly complained about a problem which has not been fixed.

He sounds like a complete prick and is demanding they and their agreement for being " Bad tenants ".

Any advice on where they stand legally would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Craig

[davidjpowell]

Do you know if the gas safety check has been carried out? Suggest speaking to the local environmetal health unit in the first instance.

[NismoGT]

davidjpowell said:

Do you know if the gas safety check has been carried out? Suggest speaking to the local environmetal health unit in the first instance.

Yes it was checked today when the Nationa grid isolated the leak. Is this local unit under the council?

[Wings]

At the time of your friend viewing the property, the landlord/agent should have produced an Energy Certificate for the property. When your friend took up the tenancy, signing and receiving a copy of a Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, your friend should have received from the landlord/agent a copy, for her retention, of the Annual Gas Safety Certificate, covering all gas appliances in the property, boiler, gas fire etc. etc.

If your friend gave a monetary Deposit against the ASTA, the landlord/agent must within 14 days of acceptance of the same, register the Deposit under the legislated Deposit Protection Scheme, being both an offence for the landlord/agent not to do the same, and/or not to inform your friend/the tenant of doing the same.

Your friend appears to have entered into a fixed term ASTA, if so then the only way the landlord can bring the tenancy to an early end, is either through mutual agreement with your friend, or through giving your friend legislated Notice via the Courts.

All local Council Authorities have Environmental Health Departments that can address issues such as health, pollution (noise etc), safety (gas, electrics etc. etc.), they also have Housing Advice Departments that will advise on landlords/tenants relationships, harassment etc. etc. Another avenue for advice is of course the Citizen Advice Bureau and Shelter, although suggest to your friend she contacts the local council’s good offices first.

Edited by Wings on Tuesday 20th April 21:06

[NismoGT]

Wings said:

At the time of your friend viewing the property, the landlord/agent should have produced an Energy Certificate for the property. When your friend took up the tenancy, signing and receiving a copy of a Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, your friend should have received from the landlord/agent a copy, for her retention, of the Annual Gas Safety Certificate, covering all gas appliances in the property, boiler, gas fire etc. etc.

If your friend gave a monetary Deposit against the ASTA, the landlord/agent must within 14 days of acceptance of the same, register the Deposit under the legislated Deposit Protection Scheme, being both an offence for the landlord/agent not to do the same, and/or not to inform your friend/the tenant of doing the same.

Your friend appears to have entered into a fixed term ASTA, if so then the only way the landlord can bring the tenancy to an early end, is either through mutual agreement with your friend, or through giving your friend legislated Notice via the Courts.

All local Council Authorities have Environmental Health Departments that can address issues such as health, pollution (noise etc), safety (gas, electrics etc. etc.), they also have Housing Advice Departments that will advise on landlords/tenants relationships, harassment etc. etc. Another avenue for advice is of course the Citizen Advice Bureau and Shelter, although suggest to your friend she contacts the local council’s good offices first.

Edited by Wings on Tuesday 20th April 21:06

Thank you. A mutual agreement has been reached to end the tenancy early , but many thanks for the help.

Cheers

Craig