Housing Disrepair Pre-Action Protocol – need to reply in 20 days!!

Housing Disrepair Pre-Action Protocol – need to reply in 20 days!!

13:47 PM, 23rd January 2014, About 11 years ago 74

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Can anybody help me please?

My previous tenant has appointed a solicitor who has written to me claiming for numerous things. One issue is “Repairs”. The solicitor states that the tenant complains of the following defects at my property since the beginning of the tenancy in June 2011. These include:-

(1) The screws behind the toilet kept on coming loose and the landlord up to date has not changed them;

Comment: I’ve visited the property on two occasions and tightened the screws. I saw this as a maintenance issue that the tenant should be dealing with. Where do I stand?

(2) The door to the master bedroom does not close and when it does it gets stuck;

Comment: The latch on the master bedroom door was working ok for 21 months of the 2 year tenancy. Once again, I viewed this an a maintenance issue for the tenant to deal with as they caused the disrepair. Where do I stand?

(3) Two light fittings in the upstairs bedroom do not work;

Comment: These did not work prior to the tenants moving in and these were not requested to be repaired before the tenants moved in. I tried to purchase new fittings but could not find suitable replacements at a reasonable price. Where do I stand?

(4) Dampness in the bedrooms upstairs;

Comment: As a landlord with 15 years experience and having tested the areas concerned for dampness with a meter. I’m of the opinion that this is condensation caused by the manner in which the tenants lived.eg. not ventilating the property adequately and drying clothes close to electric storage heaters. Where do I stand?

(5) Electric meters downstairs is not covered;

Comment: This is fabrication. The electric meter is in a metal-clad cabinet secured by a child proof latch about 1.25m above floor. However beside it is a consumer unit and it is this the tenant may be referring to. Where do I stand?

For your information, my tenants vacated my property having damaged many of the roller blinds in the conservatory and kitchen area. Carpets throughout the property are filthy and need to be cleaned or disposed of. They have also left a huge bedroom wardrobe that is falling to pieces and needs to be dismantled and disposed of. The tenants have left large items of kids toys and carpeting in the garden.

Their solicitor expects me to compensate their clients. Is there anybody out there who can offer advice on how I should proceed. I understand I should reply within a 20 day period.

I would appreciate any assistance and advice available.

Many thanks

Garypreaction


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Gary

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15:18 PM, 23rd January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "23/01/2014 - 14:35":

Hi Mark
Thanks for responding. In answer to your questions:-
(1) I did employ a letting agent and there answer was the Property Ombudsman;
(2) No a professional inventory during check-in or check-out was used as I used my own. However the inventory used was never returned to me, therefore, I have little evidence. Mistake!
(3) Yes and lodged it with the DPS. The tenant has requested I repay the deposit to him but I have told him that I intend retaining it because of the damage and his rent arrears. I have no knowledge of the tenant referring this to ADR. However, advice received up to now has been to steer clear of court!
(4) I have made initial enquiries, but being quoted £250ph for a minimum two hours work initially has shaken me. Hence my request for advice here.

Gary

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15:35 PM, 23rd January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Michael Edwards" at "23/01/2014 - 14:11":

Hi Michael
Thanks for taking the time to respond.

I've read through the link you gave and believe that under the section "Landlord and Tenant repairing obligations" my tenant "must ensure to carry out minor maintenance repairs"

Also under "Exceptions to the Act" my tenant is " to carry out works or repairs for which the lessee is liable by virtue of his duty to use the premises in a tenant-like manner"

Lastly, under "Tenants Responsibilities" my tenant "must ensure is looked after and general maintence is carried out....".

Michael, the repairs (1) & (2) I refer to in my original question I believe come under the above statements . Would you agree or have I misread things here?
Regards
Gary

Richard Kent

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15:40 PM, 23rd January 2014, About 11 years ago

Hi Gary,

Firstly, DON'T respond to the solicitor yet.

The letter you will have received might appear threatening but whatever you do don't panic and don't admit to anything whatsoever!

You have quoted "My previous tenant". So the person you are referring to has left the property?

Did the tenant write to you during the tenancy and complain about the problems?

When you reply to the solicitor, ask them what evidence they have for it.

Again- And most of all DO NOT admit anything.

Gary

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15:44 PM, 23rd January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "All BankersAreBarstewards Smith" at "23/01/2014 - 14:15":

Hi ABABS
Thanks for taking time to respond. I need all the help I can get!.

I do not have an inventory of condition signed by both parties, therefore, in a weak position here.

One of my tenants has left her nursing job to go back to college to study, while he continues to work as a Social Worker. The claim appears in her name, therefore, I guess she may be receiving some form of legal aid, if this is possible. The solicitor acting for her states in the sent they have sent that he/she is using housing disrepair pre-action protocol and enclosed documentation summarising this. It appears that I have to respond within 20 days or face possibly going to court. Most of the repairs I have listed dem to be minor maintenace that I believe the teant should of dealt with. What's your opinion?
Regards
Gary

All BankersAreBarstewards Smith

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15:57 PM, 23rd January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Butler" at "23/01/2014 - 15:44":

What does the documentation say ? What exactly does the letter say they want you to do ?

It sounds as if you had two tenants, one has left and the other is still there - is that right ?

You have been given great advice about not responding yet or panicking. Stay calm - you will get all the help you need here.

Nowhere is there any legislation that i know of that says you must respond AT ALL to a solicitors letter. All their talk of "protocols" is just to scare you.

I also think you should have repaired the bits and pieces as you went along, but its no good crying over spilt milk now, you have to deal with the present situation.

If there is no signed inventory then neither side can prove condition.

If you have not already done so, i suggest you take full photos of the property to show the damage and belongings left behind - it could come in useful.

Gary

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15:58 PM, 23rd January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Chris " at "23/01/2014 - 14:16":

Hi Chris
Thanks for responding.

When my tenats took over the property the toilet seat was not loose nor was the latch on the bedroom door getting stuck. Despite sorting the toilet seat a couple of times I considered this to be a minor maintence repair that the tenant should have done. Same goes for the latch. Admittedly, I should have done something about the light fittings by replacing them or removing them, but it's too late now. The dampness is condensation and there's no issue regarding the electricity meters.

The solicitor has requested compensation in terms of lack of repair to the items raised, most of which I consider to be minor compared to the damage caused by tenant and thev state he's left my place in including dumped wardrobes and childrens toys.

Re: 21 days. I understand that if I don't respond in this time, court action may follow?

As mentioned in previous reply, my tenant may be on legal aid with nothing to olose. I don't want to be dragged into an expensive court fight. My onl;y option might be to agree to what they want but this would go against the grain because I do not consider that I done much wrong.
Regards
Gary

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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16:00 PM, 23rd January 2014, About 11 years ago

Gary, the advice you have been given in respect of Lord Justice Denning's ruling on "behaving in a Tenant Like Manner" and also in respect of admitting nothing and requesting evidence is all superb and I agree wholeheartedly with it.

The reasons I asked all of those questions is as follows:-

1) Are your letting agents backing you and if they have acted negligently you could consider counter-suing them and/or reporting them to their regulatory body. I suggest you read your contract with them. If they can't provide you with your papers that is a clear indication of negligent practice on their part. I can only assume that you used a tenancy agreement prepared by your letting agent. If it is found to be defective you may also have a claim there.
2) Lesson learned, a professional inventory doesn't cost much but can be very important as you are probably beginning to realise.
3) I am not particularly familiar with the DPS rules on ADR, where is Industry Observer when we need him? I suggest you call them to explain what has happened and request their advice. Also read their terms and conditions carefully. They may well be able to provide you with advice on the pre-action protocol letter at no cost too.
4) Given that you now realise how much legal advice costs I trust you will appreciate the value of this forum and be making a donation to support its running costs? Please see >>> http://www.property118.com/donations/43590/
.

All BankersAreBarstewards Smith

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16:02 PM, 23rd January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "23/01/2014 - 16:00":

If the deposit is lodged with a Scheme and the tenant is applying for partial/full refund of the deposit, then the Scheme should have informed the landlord as soon as the tenant made this application. BUT if there is still a tenant in situ - this could complicate things quite a lot.... which is why we need more info ....

Gary

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16:03 PM, 23rd January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "23/01/2014 - 15:05":

Hi Mark
I will do as you suggest.

Yes, I agree! They are taking the .......

I'll be interested in getting ffurther views from our members.
Thanks again.
Gary

Jeremy Smith

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16:05 PM, 23rd January 2014, About 11 years ago

Firstly,
You shouldn't be letting the house out with faults that you already know about, especially electrical faults. eg faulty light fittings.
If the toilet screws keep coming lose, then fit bigger ones, they are obviously too small !
- Maintenance is NOT the tenants responsibility !!
- Put your hand in your pocket and get them fixed !!

Secondly,
You should take photographs of all the problems and 'crap' the tenant has left behind, before you move it.
- these can be sent to the solicitor/used for your deduction from deposit, if you need to at a later date.

After this, look at the mail (you are not legally allowed to open it) that your ex-tenant is getting, unless they've redirected it.
- You can google the return addresses on the back and find out if they are debt collectors or other solicitors.

Were they with you long? (sorry, re-read, I see they were with you for a reasonable length of time)
They may be moving ahead of their debts....

This happened to me,
So all I did was to reply to their solicitor asking them if I could forward all the debt collectors' and other solicitors' letters to them to pass on to their client !

- I heard nothing back, the solicitor realised that they wouldn't get paid either !

(my tenants were both claiming the deposit back in full, each of them , a couple who had split up - they paid it in cash - there's a lesson to be learnt there - what proportion belongs to whom? )

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