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Condemned property, court action?

Started by Jm90, July 08, 2021, 09:40:24 PM

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Jm90

Hi all,  based in Wales* i know legislation can vary

Moved into a property in June 2019 it was left empty 2 year prior and is an old house on a farm.
Straight away we had issues with rats. They would dig through the garage walls up under the flooring through our carpets and into our house.
Landlord saw the holes within the first 2months of us living there.
We also have children.
Landlord agreed for pest control to come out however nothing stopped the rats, they in total made a variety of holes in order to gain entry.
In the last few months we have been worried about the beams in the house as they don't seem to be supported by anything other than the window frame which is cracking by the weight.
The electrics are mental. We are being billed £500+ per month and even though she said they were tested before we moved we were never given any proof. Tiles missing off the roof, damp and so on

The property ECP was rated a G until April 2021 now an E
The property was not registered on rent smart Wales until April 2021
No paperwork was given when we moved in at all.

This only happened then because we were on universal credit and she wanted us to get a new boiler from the government.

We messaged over and over for help
We spoke many times via phone about the issues
We showed her in person yet nothing was done

Environmental health attended and condemned the property straight away and have served a prohibition notice
The landlord was here at the time.

They spoke to her outside so I don't know what is happening regarding the property.

We never paid a deposit so nothing to come back

We are now in emergency accommodation
Trying to find the money to transport our stuff from the house and somewhere to store our things. We do not have any spare money.

We assumed she would have been made to fix the issues then we would have stayed. 

Anyway, everyone I have spoken to, even professionals have said I should take her to court for her negligent behaviour, as we have children and the property was extremely dangerous, plus the distress it's caused us. 

She owns and runs an estate agency herself
This is her childhood home

I'm not sure if I can take anymore on mentally however even if they would cover removal or storage it would really help. What do you all think?
We have not heard from them since the visit

Hippogriff

#1
If you cannot take any more then take the correct action to protect your own mental health - move on, forget it, don't dwell. I don't say this lightly. Advancing a case will require you to rake all over this many more times. What will you get in the end? I guess you're hoping for compensation? Maybe. Maybe not. Nothing is ever guaranteed (unless you had a Deposit and it wasn't protected, of course). If might be the case the Landlord is penalised, but you benefit in no tangible way.

I would, on the other hand, be speaking to the Local Authority about help they may be able to provide.

I would also be demanding the Council provide you with some kind of update / evaluation.

I always say look forwards, not backwards... you all got out alive. As head of the family it's your responsibility to ensure you don't make the same mistake again. You must be more critical of the properties you view, no-one strong-arms anyone into taking on a private tenancy. If amazes me how a property you've said was "condemned" didn't raise any alarm bells before you moved in. I don't say this to have a go at you... I'm genuinely nonplussed... how can it happen? I know some people can be gullible, but when you're choosing a home for your family, isn't it beholden on you to pay some attention, dig into things, check things on at least a basic level. If you'd just been lucky enough to avoid the £500 per month electricity bill you'd be in a better position right now. I know you couldn't ask for previous bills in this case... but it'd be very strange if any other normal house came in like that.

I would want to forget this, not prolong this. I might send a LBA to the Landlord... suggesting a future case, asking for compensation... the response might surprise you. But I'd not start a new war, after just coming out of the last.

heavykarma

I know so many people who have lost money and peace of mind by pursuing litigation.I totally understand the desire for revenge,but even if you qualify for legal aid,this could drag on for months,maybe years.If the outcome did not give you satisfaction,you would feel worse than you do now.Often money that is awarded does not get paid to the claimant anyway.I agree with Hippogriff,you need to be more concerned about your future,and maybe also look at ways you could regain some independance so you get to make choices, not feel helpless.Good luck.