If its a 12 month fixed term, the tenant can’t give a valid notice until the term ends and the tenancy becomes periodic. The Renters Rights Act changes things of course, but probably not for about 6 months yet.
@Wendy19 get tenant to check they have some sort of receipt for the payment and an exchange of emails or whatsapp or txt from the landlord confirming what the 18k was for! And check tenancy agreement contains contact details for landlord by which notices can be served to LL [if not provided in AST or provided when asked possibly, then a criminal offence and LL faces fines which would give tenant some leverage]. Check if all the docs like ‘how to rent’ and EPC and deposit prescribed info etc were all served correctly at start of tenancy [if not may not be tenant can claim back multiple of deposit as compensation]
good luck
The other possibility might be to try to unwind the tenancy and get a full refund based on a breach of consumer rights legislation. The tenant would need to show that the property was not as advertised or viewed. The devil is in the detail on this one, so they would need advice from Shelter or a solicitor on how to proceed.
Ah, my advice was given on the basis that fixed terms would be history as soon as the RRA was passed into law. It would be helpful if the govt could actually tell us what date things actually change. I can understand why S21s might be given some leeway but not why fixed terms, more than 1 month’s payment of rent up front, etc might not come in immediately. Guess I’ll find out at a certain landlord association’s webinar later today…
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Meanwhile, to help matters ,- Is bathroom extractor left on 15 minutes sfter shower, or long enough? Has she tried vacuuming extractors when dry to remove dust build up? Is she putting enough heat on for dehumidifier to work? How much water is dehumidifier collecting in a day? Is she using pan lids when boiling or avoiding boiling at all? Does she have a window vac and use it daily to remove water from windows and shower screen. All issues my overseas tenants struggled with from time to time, in my properties that other tenants have no problem with. Now I routinely provide window vac and dehumidifiers if lifestyle condensation seems an issue.
Ask if landlord will service or fit a new extractor fan and supply a window vac and dehumidifier and have a builder look at damp.
Might help.
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Wendy , I do not recall the name of it, but when in Portugal in a very damp area near the sea, a property made of concrete and concrete rendered walls was running water and mould. There is a small device and it’s weird as it actually works. It puts out radio or some sort of electrical wave form which reverses the flow of water and prevents it coming in the property, it is dry as an oven now. I think it was something like €4000 then but some research you may find a suit of device either through UK or the EU.
Any property below ground if not built to modern standards is going to have issues. For your own professional use I would seek out this device so that you could discuss and recommended with the landlord.
Also, you might as well check if te nant is drying things on radiators or things inside because that is going to massively increase the problem.
With regard to the ventilation and fans which should be in the bathroom and kitchen at a minimum. You just need to look at the size of the room and I would suggest at least adding 50% with adjustable overrun. and then get a fan that will remove air to meet the new size. Better still get humidistat fans.
Just found it It was called Drymat. www.drymat.net.
Good luck
Most landlord will welcome 12 months rent upfront & I am confident he/ she will look after the student will give special treatment so they can hopefully continue
The stay . Don’t worry too much go with positive attitude.
Thank you for this Brian
I did some research and it looks like electro-osmosis. Simple DC anode & cathode.
Here is a diy description of the technology
How to Install an Electro Osmosis Damp Proofing System | DIY Doctor
Hope it is helpful to somone however I would advise fully considering other remedies first : gutters, ground level, rain splash etc.