Landlord still not put windows in after 2 years

Landlord still not put windows in after 2 years

8:55 AM, 15th October 2014, About 10 years ago 4

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A friend lives in a building which at one time would have been flats say above a carpet shop. Now for two years the landlord as been saying that they will put new windows in, there is no double glazing in the windows that are there and she as said it is freezing in the cold months.

She said she feels like saying, I am not going to pay any rent as you have still not put windows in, but I dont think that’s a good idea.

She as live there for nearly 10 years now. Is there any thing she can do regarding getting the landlord to put these window in .

Thank you

Sharronwindows


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Neil Patterson

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9:02 AM, 15th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi Sharron,

Does your friend think her Landlord is a Good Landlord despite the windows as she has been there 10 years?
Has she discussed why the windows have not been replaced?
Are the current windows although single glazed in good condition?
Do you think your friend is paying a high or low rent and can the Landlord afford to spend the money?

You are correct that withholding rent at this stage is probably going to cause more problems as a good relationship and communication is the swiftest way of resolving any issues.

Sometimes sealed units can cause more damp issues and this could concern the landlord who may prefer to add thick curtains.

If your friend has done everything she can to communicate and got nowhere she could report the Landlord to the council on health and safety grounds and force the issue, but I would say this is last resort.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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9:45 AM, 15th October 2014, About 10 years ago

The problem with reporting this to The Council is that whilst they may force the landlord to deal with the issue he may also evict and sell the property if he's got no money. He may also put the rent up if the property is priced low. He may also evict out of spite and re-let the property.

As Neil has said, involving authorities really is the last resort.
.

Ray Davison

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14:52 PM, 15th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Sharron, the usual short answer, if she had just recently occupied would be the rent is set based upon the property was marketed, viewed and a let agreed. However after ten years it is something different. Many properties still have single glazing and if in good condition that is not in itself a reason to change. As has been said above, small flats can suffer real condensation problems when additional insulation is added. Basically if the rent is below market rent for that type of property then you can expect a rent increase to be required if improvements are made.

Both sides need to view this from the others perspective to reach the right solution. I would never advocate a Landlord evicting out of spite however once you get the authorities involved it clearly indicated that the Landlord/Tenant relationship has broken down so to continue that relationship is normally difficult and futile.

Puzzler

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15:58 PM, 7th November 2014, About 10 years ago

I don't think the landlord is under any obligation, especially as she has been there 10 years. Windows are pricey and it may be they intend to do it when they can afford it. Certainly she has no right to withold rent. If it is really uninhabitable she could move.

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