Rental advise withold rent,

[rich1982]

Hope some one can help me on this,
I have an issue with regards to maintainace to the house that i live in, I have been here about 5 1/2 years and always without fail paid the rent on time,
Heres the problem, In last years Julys storms the roof took a battering and now leaks and the chimney is in a poor state and the flat roof has water stains in the ceiling,
Now after contacting the letting agency - Landloads Business, in Aug last year, and months of chasing at the start of June this year they started doing the work only to have them here a couple of days and the job incompleat and looking a right mess , Now i'm getting it in the neck from my joint next door as there were working on there side of the roof and have damaged the tiles and made a mess of the chimney,
At the start of this month i contacted the agency to find out what was going on to be told that the landload is dealing with this and it is out of there hands, But still no contact, I can't get the agency to reply to me and have not seen the builders in 5-6weeks, The roof is still leaking and the stained roof is smelling of rot, Can i decleare that the house is in a state of disrepair and with hold the rent legaly to see if this kicks them up the a**
Sorry for long post but please someone help!

[Eve]

You could speak to Shelter who gives some good advice...

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advic e_topics/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_in _private_lets

[Eve]

This is a uni site but has some more good advice and sample letters.

http://www.unipol.leeds.ac.uk/Leeds/IFS/Disrep air/

Make sure that notices and letters are sent to the address for service on the Landlord in the tenancy agreement (as well as another address if you know one).

Always keep copies and send by recorded mail (keep the slip) with a tracking number and print off proof of delivery (you can track online at the Royal Mail site.