Vacated property after 1 week

[yenot6691]

Hi,

I signed a AST for one year with no break clause included.  My tenancy started on the 1st of March but did not move in until the 8th of March. 

 

4 things I've encountered in one week.  

1/ No sky wiring from the communal sky dish which I was told by the management agent said there was.  Not an issue for me.

 

2/. The toilet took 30 minutes to fill once flushed. So I reported this. Plumber came and fixed. Still takes a few minutes to fill but not an issue.

 

3/. Water pressure is so bad that can't even shower as  the hot water flow is so bad that even affects kitchen tap which has a weak flow of water.  Was told today that a pump would be fitted next week.

 

4/. Rats and mice in the loft.  Every morning upon waking up about 7 with loud noises coming from the attic.  When the plumber came round to fix the toilet he had to go in the loft to fit a pipe.  When he got down from the loft he told me that there was a load of traps scattered around the loft.  I told him i am woken  up at 7 in the morning by the noises in the attic.  He advised me to contact the management agent to get them to call out pest control.  Pest control came today and stop their head up in the attic and told me he can smell the rats.  Went up and found mice rats and a dead squirrel.  This was the last draw for me so I had a blazing row and I have decided to end my tenancy leave.  the management agents denied that they knew about any vermin issues despite there being traps laid in the loft before my tenancy.  As the rats and mice are still there this leads me to believe there is an issue with these vermin. Also noticed all pipes leading into walls have been blocked up by some kind of putty  in the bathroom.

 

pest control did lay down the traps and have two  further visits planned.

 

The management agent will probably come after me for early termination,  but as the state the flat is at the moment I feel like I've been misold and all these issues should have been taking care of from the beginning of the tenancy.  The vermin issue has really affected me today.  I've  call the council to complain about the rat and mice Infestation

 

I'm going to send them an email outlining reasons why I've left and that I would be giving up my Tenancy,  has anyone got any tips on how to move forward.

 

Thanks 

 

[ericsbrother]

chances are that the vermin in the loft are a a breach of the landlord's obligation to keep the place habitable so you will need to make usre that your tenancy contains such a term or you are liable for the rent.

If your LL wants to enforce the agreement and make you pay you can counterclaim for the place being uninhabitable/health ahzard/unsafe.

If LL doesnt want to play nicely then you will need to take it up with council environmental health dept and at least get them to visit and agree that there is a problem. If LL wont allow access then they have ended tenancy (or agreed it is ended by their action)

[yenot6691]

8 minutes ago, ericsbrother said:

chances are that the vermin in the loft are a a breach of the landlord's obligation to keep the place habitable so you will need to make usre that your tenancy contains such a term or you are liable for the rent.

If your LL wants to enforce the agreement and make you pay you can counterclaim for the place being uninhabitable/health ahzard/unsafe.

If LL doesnt want to play nicely then you will need to take it up with council environmental health dept and at least get them to visit and agree that there is a problem. If LL wont allow access then they have ended tenancy (or agreed it is ended by their action)

Thanks for your reply. I've already contacted the council regarding the vermin issue.  I actually went up the attic today to take photos and it's pretty grim.  Previous existing traps already filled with dead animals and there are different types and numerous traps laid out everywhere . Even the water tank is not covered even though it has a cover.  Not sure if the water has been contaminated and not willing to take the chance.   I managed to speak to the neighbour today who confirmed he called out pest control in Dec as he had issues with noises in the loft.  In the meantime I received an email from the management company who apologized and advised the situation is not satisfactory. 

 

I will be moving out on Monday regardless and will fight this till the end

 

Rgds

 

[ericsbrother]

so what does tenancy say about habitable condition?