UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi all

I have tenants in my property since June last year. All was ok until approx oct when I started to get bombarded with repair requests. When looking into them and having contractors have a look some were not necessary. The tenants then had the council involved who have carried out an inspection and served a notice housing act 2004 section 12. I have come back from holiday to this report which took from 5th February til 21st march to receive. We are now gathering quotes etc on some very tedious jobs but will do them as they on the list. While on holiday the tenants have instructed a solicitor due to the amount of time the repairs hVe taken! The solicitor letter went to my agent not myself 2 weeks ago and I only found out this week. The solicitor has sent a mail saying I have ran out of time to respond to them and are instructing a surveyor and no work can be done. Is this even allowed? Also after the terrible winds the very small gap in the conservatory roof is now massive and flapping about letting the rain. I sent a builder to fix it and the tenants said no work is to be carried out. As this now not safe and is also damaging the flooring I believe I do not need permission  from the tenants as I am not entering the house to get this fixed. Is this correct? Any advice would be most appreciated as I am at the end of my tether!!!! So much advice for tenants but nothing for landlords. Help pls

Hi Sarah,
I really feel for you.   I really don't see that anyone on this earth can prevent you from repairing your property.  It is after all your property.
Take legal advise but I would carry on with the repairs and make sure you document everything that is said as your tenants are clearly preparing to get very ugly.
Best of luck

Afterthought - would it not be prudent to serve them with a notice.  They are on periodic now so you don't even have to give a reason.

My experience of the council is these issues must be pretty bloody serious for them to issue proceedings, and you are not admitting this to yourself.

Sorry this is sounding harsh, BUT these rules are there to protect the tenants and us decent landlords from getting rubbish reputations.

I dont know the facts, but I suspect very much this is more to do with your attitude to the quality of your housing stock, than any over officious, or pickey council or tenant.

Again, sorry, but you need to wake up and start accepting these are serious issues, which you should have addressed.