My landlord has always been so slow to do anything that we need doing. I’ll give him text messages and he doesn’t answer, or will answer weeks later with the exact same excuse saying sorry and that he’s been on holiday. He must be on holiday all year round the amount of times I’ve had this excuse. The main issues are our gas boiler is so old it’s past it. Keeps breaking down on us. And I found out boilers that old don’t run on current water pressures properly. He promised to get us a new boiler about a year ago. Nothing since and yet more breakdowns. Also we’re paying extra because it’s a furnished place but his freezer broke down on us over a month ago. He said look around and find a freezer and I’ll transfer you the money to buy it and get it delivered. I found a cheap chest freezer. Messaged him with the link . No reply. Waited a week. Still no reply so I sent him another message. It’s now been another 2 weeks. Still no reply. My rental agreement contract has ran its course and it’s just a month by month thing now so I feel anxious complaining directly to open rent about him in case he just decides to kick us out, because hes very lazy and can’t ever be bothered to sort out anything. And he seems like an angry person. Me and my wife are very vulnerable people with life threatening health conditions and we’re being left and ignored and having to push over and over to get anything done. Then he never does it right. Like the stupid boiler thing. Still no new boiler. And sometimes we’re sat here with no gas for days, sometimes weeks. I don’t know what to do. It was so hard getting this place and i was living in a hostel before this applying for every private rent I could find. And it took about 12 months to finally get one. This landlord’s laziness is what finally got us this place tbh. We were the 1st of the day to view it and he said he couldn’t be bothered waiting around for the others to view it and said well you look like .a nice person. You can have it. And cancelled all the other people coming to view it. I seriously don’t know what to do. I keep thinking if I go over his head we could lose the place and be homeless. If I don’t though we’re living pretty rough. Especially with our health concerns. Any advice?
You cant demand that landlord replaces a boiler just because its old but a non working boiler is considered an emergency safety issue with landlords subject to fines of upto £30k in severe cases. I doubt the old boiler doesnt work due to water pressure but they will work differently to modern boilers.
I would suggest if boiler is not working you ask.the landlord in a positive tone for new boiler pointing out his obligations while making it easy for landlord, ie providing access for engineer if practical to do so. If affordable to you you could offer to buy boiler and deduct from rent but this shouldnt really be necessary.
For more minor issues such as freezer if landlord has confirmed in writing that tgey will pay it should be ok to deduct the amount from rent and buy it yourself.
Openrent is a platform for landlords so arent really able to do.much. if still unhappy you would go to local council but given circumstances best to resolve amicably if possible.
Sorry to hear your difficulties
I agree with @Richard19 - make it as easy as possible for the LL.
Invite LL to visit, sit down and outline your concerns and point out obligations under the tenancy agreement
Dont be emotional state facts
LL isnt a social worker or health care professional and all that is really none of his business and you cant expect different treatment because of it unless that was agreed when you moved in.
Ultimately if the place is habitable it’s hard to get council to do anything about tardy repairs unless you are without basics like hot water or heating for an unreasonable time in which case they will act
In future there will be the Decent Homes Standard, which already applies for social housing
Get advice from Shelter or Citizens Advice
Good luck
Ps month to month doesnt mean he can just kick you out. Even a s21 taking 2 months may fail if court decides it’s retaliation for you complaining.