..my flatmate has had problems with her (our) landlord since we moved in. She received got a copy of her tenancy agreement when I asked her if she had one and she requested one - it's taken till her last week of her tenancy to actually get it (!). Plus, she thinks she's been ripped off.
But the thing is- she's south african, she's not a UK citizen. What effect does this have on tenancy rights? And whats the best place to start if you want to get serious help in contesting the decision of the landlord? I'm definately out of my depth here and I want to refer her to some place which can handle these problems..
It's just a basic shorthold tenancy, a room in a house job. cheers for any help.
2006-10-11 10:34:51 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Tenancy disputes are bread and butter to lawyers in the UK. There is probably one near you. I doubt your friends nationality has any bearing on the contract. More probably the landlord is hoping you are unaware of your rights.
A shorthold tenancy usually works as follows you sign up a tenancy agreement, and at the same time are given a notice to quit at the end of the period either six months or a year. You are allowed to occupy the property for the period provided you pay the agreed rent on time. At the end of the period the landlord may repossess or renew the agreement. If you refuse to go he must obtain a court order.
In law, you are not ripped off, if you have agreed to pay. If he has upped the rent during the agreed period, you probably have a case for dispute.
Unless you qualify for legal aid you are best advised to keep your money and be wiser next time.
Landlord are like the proverbial frying pan and lawyers like the proverbial fire.
2006-10-11 11:17:46 · answer #1 · answered by d00ney 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In australia we have tenants union phone lines that you can call and get free information over the phone... Check your phonebook and see if you have them in the UK, I think you would. Otherwise try a community legal centre... they also offer free info if you can get an appointment, but the helpful thing for you is that they'll probably have booklets on tenants rights that will probably tell you what you need to know. Lawyers working in this area are usually overworked but very helpful.
I'd need more details about how you think your friend has been ripped off. If you think you've been paying too much rent, the amount payable should be clearly stated on the tenancy agreement. The thing with the tenancy agreement not being given to your housemate sucks, but that alone (probably) wont void the agreement.
The thing about going to court, (which I think Dooney was getting at) is that it will cost you a lot of hassle and (probably) a lot of money.
First: has your friend actually lost any money? If not, or its only a little loss, there's no point in litigating.
Second: any lawyer will start the process by sending letters asking the landlord for what you want - about 5 percent of civil disputes go to trial - communication solves most problems.
foreign citizenship means nothing... this is a matter of contract law and the only relevant facts are who the parties are and what the contract says.
Without more info on your actual problem that's all I can say. If you can get tenant's advice over the phone that's what you want to do. Good Luck mate
2006-10-11 12:11:51 · answer #2 · answered by dave_eee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the style you're speaking seems such as you're British. the owner is to blame for the final difficulty of the construction and each thing else different than for inner maximum products and furniture offered by making use of the tenent. you ought to rfile each and every of the themes with the apartment (flat). shop a replica to deliver to the owner and shop the originals. checklist each and every of the "maintenance" made,by making use of whom and whilst and the effect of ways long they lasted. examine to ascertain if there's a governing board of housing and report a grievance with them. you additionally can get a written settlement with the owner to permit you to spend the hire money on making maintenance your self or with a specialist contractor and residing their hire unfastened till the maintenance are finished and paid for. the alternative is to the two placed up with the situations or locate some place else to stay.
2016-10-19 05:35:49 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try your local Citizen's Advice Bureau - they know the law and have local resources that can help you free of charge.
Of course, I'm assuming she is there legally...
2006-10-11 12:10:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋