UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi guys,

I've just moved into a new place on Friday where there was no professional cleaning, black mould, non working white goods, no meter readings upon moving in, previous tenants/landlords rubbish/broken furnishings in the storage cupboards, no blinds/coverings on some windows and most of the lights with no bulbs. There's even a rotting skirting board in the kitchen, literally rotting. Partner has lung issues so even the smallest patch of black mould can be an issue and we can't even sort our day to day out, like using the oven because it's so filthy or keep stuff in the freezer as it's broken, wash clothes as washing machine doesn't work, or store stuff.

Which of these gives me the right to break the tenancy agreement? I'm really angry at how we've been treated.

Best,

Michael.

How did you come to choose this place,how was the viewing carried out? 

I don't believe any of these gives you the right to break the agreement.

No cleaning... you'd expect it, of course, but all you're required to do is hand the property back in the same condition you took it on in, so the Inventory will detail cleanliness... if not, ensure you took your own photos and maybe have them agreed with the Agent / Landlord.

Mould... unfortunate, but should have been spotted by you at the viewing... give it a good rub down with bleach, and see if it comes back - you may get lucky and you can put it down to the lifestyle of the previous Tenant.

Non-working white goods... that depends if they've just been left behind (again, not good) or whether they form part of the agreement you have. If so, then they should be repaired.

No meter readings... do this yourself? Why wouldn't you anyway?

Rubbish left behind... not good, not expected, but almost comes under cleaning.

No blinds / coverings... why would you expect this?

Missing bulbs... yes, you should have working bulbs in all outlets. Take note of which don't work and you don't need to have them when you leave. However, I would also ask for them to be replaced by the Agent / Landlord.

I'm sympathetic to this situation you describe... but did you just walk into the property blindly? What changed between the viewing where you must have thought it was good enough to make an offer on it and the Check-In?

"Which of these gives me the right to break the tenancy agreement?"

I would say none.

First you have to look at yourself.  What happened during the viewing? Did you not see the mould?  Did you not ask if the property was to be professionally cleaned? Did you not ask about repairs?

You can try writing to the council as an environmental health hazard but what you have described doesn't sound like it is an actual hazard.

I would advise you act to protect your deposit, assuming you have paid one. Make sure you write to your point of call stating the level of clean, which lights aren't working, the faults with the appliances etc.  At least this way if the landlord/agent tries deducting money from your deposit you can show it was like this at the beginning of the tenancy and it doesn't sound like they got an inventory done.