My landlord is refusing to fix my boiler?
When i moved into my house about 7 month ago there was a problem with the housing benefit getting paid to him after a while he didn’t want to resolve it so proceeded with going to court to get a possession order what i have now been served with stating i need to leave on or before christmas eve. I since phoned my landlord (after 3 weeks of trying to get in touch with him) and told him i need him to fix the boiler as i have 2 small children in the house and i have had no hot water or heating for 3 weeks.
He then asked me when i am moving out to which i replied i do not know till i can find somewhere for me and my kids to live. He said there is bailiffs coming on christmas eve to change the locks and then told me i need to move anyways so he is not going to fix the boiler.
I know he must apply and get an eviction order from the court before he changes the locks and also know it is still up to him to fix the boiler.
So far i have been in contact with environmental health and the local council and i’m still waiting for it to be resolved.
Is what he is doing illegal?
Is there anyone i could contact to get him into trouble for this?
He is a member of something called "good housing landlord association" or something like that so he is registered with the better housing scheme through the council.
Any advice on this would be great thank you.
Hi, your landlord is obliged to give you facilities to keep the place warm and to heat water (Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 s11). If your councils Environmental Health Officer hasn’t done anything about it, call them again before they close for the Xmas break. If no luck there, call ‘Shelter’ on 0808 800 4444 for advice. (You have full tenants rights until the court bailiffs evict you)
The only people who can remove you from your home are "Court Bailiffs" with a possession order - and they will contact you beforehand to say they’re coming. If anyone else tries to evict you, call he Police as illegal eviction is a criminal offence with maximum penalties (in the Magistrates Court) of £5k or 6 months in prison.
I’m afraid you don’t have a leg to stand on. You shouldn’t be getting th eboiler fixed but looking for a house.
Get onto the housing benefit or housing department and do not let them fob you off. Ask for immediate action. They will all be into office parties and thinking more in terms of having their holiday. I suspect that they will pack up well before Christmas Eve.
Even if your landlord is acting illegally by changing your locks etc the fact still remains that you will be locked out. The housing department can get a court injunction to stop him going any farther. Act now and act quickly.
If you’ve tried with the ones you mention without success,try your health visitor. They carry an enormous amount of clout and can get things moving for you..You might also have a word with the CAB……………..
You obviously don’t pay rent. Welfare does. good for you and good for the children. Too bad for the property owner. So he’s doing everything to rid his property of you and your family. Too bad for you and for him. He’s going to hire a company to fix the boiler. and the company will cooperate with him and promise to send repair men to the house in March. That’s what he’ll show any court to answer your complaint. Too bad. Whatever trouble you can stir up for him is nothing compared to what you and your kids are facing. Concentrate on getting help for you and the kids, forget about the landlord. You can’t hurt him. You are in a family crisis and there are remedies. You’ve got to go see welfare department that handles these matters. Don’t know any. Go to your local police. Ask them. They’ll know who and where you should go. Good Luck
Get advice from CAB asap, he can’t change the locks and the boiler must be fixed.
contact your local board of health or health dept
What planet are you living on. You state you have been served with an eviction order for 2 days time and still want the boiler fixed. On Christmas Eve he will turn up with the baliffs and the locksmith and legally you will be homeless. One part of your question says the possession order is for 2 days time, then you say he must get an eviction order, he has, that is what you have been served with.
You need to contact your Council asap as you are going to be on the streets.
i feel sorry for yr kids to be honest u need to prper for the worst hope u have somewhere for the young ones to go there is only 2days left
the landlord is in the right this time sorry to say
I don’t think you’re a very realistic person. You think you can raise children with no money/job and live off someone else and then when you don’t play the system right, you refuse to believe you’re getting kicked out in TWO DAYS. Is there some part of two days you are not getting? You need to MOVE now.
Sorry your landlord is the pre-ghost Scrooge.
Wake UP!!! You have young children, and you are very likely facing eviction in another couple of days time That’s SERIOUS TROUBLE.
Get yourself to your Housing Authority/CAB/Police and sort this out and stop thinking about the boiler needing fixing. I’d say at this point this is the very least of your problems
I would just say that as long as this landlord has been paid, and has accepted money for the accommodation, he is on dodgy ground if he’s going to call in the Bailiffs. But whatever is the case, get off your seat at your computer, and sort out where you will be taking yourself and your children NOW, before your children are taken off your hands.
Good Luck.
Unfortunately this is a huge problems with regard to housing benefit….even if the courts know that you;ve applied and are entitled to it, the law states that is not a good enough reason for you to be late with the rent. therefore, the law is on your Landlord’s side. It’s a terrible thing!
You are quite correct in that your Landlord needs to get an eviction order before the bailiffs can remove you from the premises, and him saying that they will come on christmas eve is pretty stupid on his part as one, if you call the police they will be on your side as his entry is illegal and 2 it’s not like he’s going to get another tenant before the new year anyway.
Personally i wouldn’t do anything to get him into trouble as it could eaily back-fire on you and by the sounds of it, it seems he’s going to get himself into trouble anyways!