Rented property - where do we stand?

[LouiseEdward]

Hi. Please can someone offer some advice with regards to a property that we are renting through an agency? We have had nothing but problems since we moved in, in March this year. The CH has only just been fixed (it was broken ever since we moved in, they've had to replace the whole system!), the laminate floor in the kitchen has only just been fixed (it was warped and split!). The contractors the agency send keep not turning up without even a courtesy call, they list goes on! We have signed a 12 month contract, but we have found them everything but helpful! Do we have any grounds to break out of the contract without paying them any money? Thanks in advance

[stuelwell]

try ARLA (association of residential letting agents) maybe a google search will put you in contact with your local rep. hope this helps

[tiggerwoo]

Local Citizens Advice or your local council have a dept that deals with private landlords to establish your rights in this instance.Your landlord has an obligation to you as the tenant to make sure that that everything is as it should be and that necessary repairs and maintenance are carried out..otherwise he is in breach of the contract.If you were to leave the property under the 12 month assured shorthold tenancy agreement the agency will pursue you for the loss in rent until the house is let again...so be careful...in the same way if you were to withold rent payments for reason of poor state of repair..then the landlord can pursue you thro' the the courts to recover the amount of rent owed. Good luck.