flood damaged property - tenants rights?

Question

Our rental property has been damaged by 2 floods in the last 10 days from sudden downpours.
We're not the only house in the street that's been damaged as water is coming up the drains outside the properties and then flooding under the doors.
The electricity has shorted both times, the floor boards are all damp and stinking (carpets got ripped up after the 1st time), there's a visible inch of water underneath the floor, plus we had raw sewerage coming out the drains in front of the house. Add all that to the fact that we're likely to flood again if it rains more and I don't think the house is safe and fit to live in anymore.

Our contract states if the property is uninhabitable we're able to reclaim rent from our landlord - does anyone know how we go about doing this and who classifies it as such?

And even if it is decided it's habitable, are we liable to some sort of rent deduction/compensation as the flat obviously can't be worth what we're paying for it in the state it's in?

just to add a bit more info for the people who said I should have checked for flooding in the area before we moved in:
there's drainage works going on in the road at the moment which seems to be the problem (although Thames Water will probably never admit it!). I have spoken to the neighbours and one of them has lived there for 17 years and never had a flood before, but has now had 2 in 10 days. Coincidently (or not) the road next to us which is also having Thames Water works has also just flooded for the first time ever!
So I doubt it's a coincidence and there's no way we could have expected it from our side, the irony is that Thames Water are actually doing "Flood Alleviation" work on the road and drains, obviously not very well though!

Answer 1

Hi,sorry about your plight.Go to citizens advice or get the media involved.I would have thought your land lord would be chasing them up (water Board).Also the way it is going you will have to find alternative accommadation.All this rain has any of your neighbours managed to get help.You all need to stick together.Good Luck

Answer 2

I can only answer this from an insurance point of view, if the landlord has correct insurance his insurer should be able to claim for all the damage to the property along with any loss of rent he has due to his loss,(this means you should be able to claim the rent as he will effectively get paid twice, the property should be repaired to the exact standard it was before, (or better if required by law such as improved glass) The landlord would have to ensure that the house is habitable before allowing you to move in especially with regards to cleaning the sewage.
Be care-full as well as the landlords premium should go up quite a bit make sure he does not try to pass on any increases to you. I would try and find a different house if you can and check its likelihood of flooding in the future as i imagine you have had two contents claims and your premiums have gone up.

Answer 3

Thames is the responsible party to the flooding. They could have done something careless and are not wanting to admit to it. I would check with their license Bureau and see if they have had any complaints or concerns about the company. If this is not in a normal food zone than chances are you will be able to claim for damages.

Answer 4

As the first answer says, call the local housing authority. If nothing else, the city hall will know who to contact. As for the rent deduction / compensation - nope, you checked out the place before you signed the lease (didn't you?). You signed the lease having had the opportunity to check it out, so you should have been more careful - asked around about flooding, checked with former tenants, etc.

Answer 5

Call your local city or county housing authority or zoning board. If they're not the ones to declare a house as habitable, they will know who can. Have them come out and inspect the premises, and be sure to get their opinion in writing.