Landlord problem Fully repair lease

[shamwari]

Three years ago my wife and I took on a fully Repairing lease for a shop and its accommodation.

The Landlord assured us at the time that although the Lease was strict on the length of term and notice etc. that if it did not work out, it would be in all our interests to forget the small print and we could give reasonable notice at any time.We took on a lot of his old stock, and bought several sundries, furniture, fittings etc. for the shop, which we agreed to pay in installments, much of this is still 'in stock'.

From the start it didn't work out too well.

We struggled on, falling further behind with rent and other debts.

Eventually we decided when another premises came up for rent to move, this happened at the same time as he began to get heavy with us, threatening to bankrupt us etc.

The move was delayed, because the other place was not ready, so we vacated the living quarters while still having access to the shop. He requested we stick to the lease and repair or replace the house to its former condition.

We had an accident with a cheap Toaster that burned a hole in a worktop, another where the cooker hood was damaged.

When he inspected the place first time around he did not bring anything to our attention, he later got an Agent to inspect it, then I got a long list.

He said he would 'overlook' the worktop damage because it would be expensive for us and not fair, I had repaired it to a standard.

The repairs included the following.....Painting outside wall, painting fence, painting certain internal doors, replacing certain light fittings, painting shop interior and window, repairing shop door, replacing bedroom carpet.

I did all these things grudgingly, arranging with the new tenants to gain access, the shop remains empty.

He has now produced an agreement that holds the non repair of the worktop and other issues over our head, asking that we pay the outstanding debt back over an agreed period and failure to do so would result in his invoking the repair clause plus interest.

 

How can I draw a line under his threats, I think the place is either acceptable or not, if not he should pursue that, otherwise he should forget it.

 

He is an obnoxious little man with a degree in bullying. we are obviously on the backfoot, owing him money, but surely he must divide the two issues ?

[shamwari]

So.....by the deafening silence, there are no experts on here to advise me, or I am doomed ?

Fully Repairing Leases are a contentious subject for sure.