Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2017 11:21:50 GMT
I received a letter from Haig housing, the managers of this little housing development, telling me they had increased the rent a while back. Apparently they sent a letter in february for a rent increase date of april 1st. They acknowledge they must give four weeks notice but suggest I must back date the increase to april 1st or not get the full benefits of a tenant. I suggested that them sending me a copy of the letter giving notice would not be adequate notice and I suggested that does not give me four weeks notice.
They have failed to fix such items as rat/mouse holes in the skirting and basically extract yellow fluid. I had no light in the kitchen over the christmass period for example.
I feel that this is not such a big issue as they are making out but I am hyper sensitive to adrenaline and am shaking right now. It bugs me that this happens but nothing I can do about it.
Why do people in a position of responsibility have to be so bloody about this?
|
|
|
|
Post by johnc on Jul 5, 2017 11:53:26 GMT
This will be down to the incompetence of someone in the organisation - someone was supposed to send out the letters and didn't so they try to cover it up by sending out the current letter. I would normally expect a rent increase letter to be sent by recorded delivery and they have basically cocked it up.
Much of this kind of "corporate" bullying is done to cover up a mistake by someone in the organisation but you have to remember that said individual will be fighting to keep it covered up and save their job so it is unlikely to be a smooth ride. |
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Jul 5, 2017 12:45:32 GMT
Well one does wonder if they sent this to you in the hope you'd pay up and they'd avoid any awkward questions about why the expected extra rent never materialised.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Jul 5, 2017 13:14:42 GMT
Alternatively the Royal Mail managed their usual trick of failing to deliver the original letter?
|
|
|
|
Post by johnc on Jul 5, 2017 13:54:49 GMT
Alternatively the Royal Mail managed their usual trick of failing to deliver the original letter? I have a theory about that - the ones that always go missing are important time sensitive ones which normally contain bad news that the sender doesn't want to have to deal with. Even large Government organisations are guilty! |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2017 15:08:32 GMT
I am not the only one, three other flats are involved and are getting the same treatment, cough up or get reduced services. Reduced from not fixing basic problems, how?
|
|
|
|
Post by LandieMark on Jul 5, 2017 15:16:00 GMT
They have certain statutory obligations - not paying for the increase doesn't stop them being liable for them!
|
|
|
|
Post by franki68 on Jul 5, 2017 16:33:28 GMT
I received a letter from Haig housing, the managers of this little housing development, telling me they had increased the rent a while back. Apparently they sent a letter in february for a rent increase date of april 1st. They acknowledge they must give four weeks notice but suggest I must back date the increase to april 1st or not get the full benefits of a tenant. I suggested that them sending me a copy of the letter giving notice would not be adequate notice and I suggested that does not give me four weeks notice. They have failed to fix such items as rat/mouse holes in the skirting and basically extract yellow fluid. I had no light in the kitchen over the christmass period for example. I feel that this is not such a big issue as they are making out but I am hyper sensitive to adrenaline and am shaking right now. It bugs me that this happens but nothing I can do about it. Why do people in a position of responsibility have to be so bloody about this? Sorry I am a bit confused,do you own the leasehold of the flat or are you renting ? Are they managing your flat or the building (are they letting agents or the freeholders management company ?) |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2017 19:23:42 GMT
I am renting, the ownership of the properties is a little vague but Haig manage the properties. Well, without actually managing them anyway. There is a visit once a year from the local manager who suggests she will fix stuff and then vanishes while nothing is done. I was hoping not to have to face this quite so soon after the problems in the last place. There are 20 flats in 4 blocks in a mix of one and two bedroom flats. i am told they have converted into a charity.
|
|
|
|
Post by franki68 on Jul 6, 2017 11:36:14 GMT
Now I really am lost,you rent but pay someone to manage the flat?
Surely the leaseholders should be paying that ?
I have heard of tenants paying the service charges (which is ridiculous enough) but never a management fee.
|
|
|
|
Post by Big Blue on Jul 6, 2017 12:53:50 GMT
I think the initial issue is that a rent increase has been backdated to a date which the landlord's agent claims was notified within the one month notice period. The matter of managing the property is of no consequence to the rent increase but the withholding of rent based on lack of services is now a further issue.
A letter to the agent (i.e. the entity you pay the rent to) regarding the lack of upkeep with reference to the relevant requirement to do so in the rental agreement is required.
|
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Jul 6, 2017 17:43:22 GMT
Alternatively the Royal Mail managed their usual trick of failing to deliver the original letter? I have a theory about that - the ones that always go missing are important time sensitive ones which normally contain bad news that the sender doesn't want to have to deal with. Even large Government organisations are guilty! I can confirm there is no big cupboard where all alledged lost items are kept to.piss people off! BB advice is good and agents sound crap, you should volunteer for the programme on bbc1 last night |
|
|
|
Post by racingteatray on Jul 6, 2017 18:38:56 GMT
Now I really am lost,you rent but pay someone to manage the flat? Surely the leaseholders should be paying that ? I have heard of tenants paying the service charges (which is ridiculous enough) but never a management fee. Agreed. Depends whether we are talking about a rent rise or a service charge increase.
If the latter, then I'm pretty certain that under the standard assured shorthold tenancy agreement which most of the lettings market should use, service charges for properties (which includes the fees of the managing agent) are always the responsibility of the landlord and not of the tenant.
I have been both a tenant and a landlord on any number of occasions using a variety of estate agencies, and that was invariably the case. Furthermore, I am currently a director of the company that owns the common parts of the development we live in, which means I am privy to the inner workings, and again the annual service charge (which includes the fees of the managing agents) is charged to, and the sole responsibility of, the owner of each property, rather than the resident.
My advice is twofold:
(1) check your tenancy agreement to see whether it says you are responsible as tenant (in which case you were stiffed when you entered into it); and
(2) if not, point out to the managing agent that you are a tenant, not the landlord, and therefore it is not your responsibility.
www.housingadviceni.org/advice-private-tenants/service-charges-who-pays-what-it-covers
If the former, then again check your tenancy agreement. Usually there's a fixed rental period and then when it ends, the agency writes to you asking if you want to renew. I've not encountered automatically rolling tenancies before where the rent can be simply raised on a unilateral basis.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2017 18:57:41 GMT
Thanks for the advice. I am looking into this but am also talking to my local MP.
There is a service charge which basically cover the exterior maintenance which I have to say is done fairly well. The rent is what has risen and not by a huge amount but they are insisting I pay going back to april 1st. They acknowledge they have to give 4 weeks notice of any increase but their idea is that sending me a copy of the letter does that. I disagree, when I pointed out that my notice was yesterday when I first received notification of the increase and I would pay with the correct notice I was told that if I do that I will not receive the benefits of a tenant. They have left rat and mouse holes in the skirting etc and failed to box in the sewage outfall from the flat upstairs. Several months after I requested this be fixed I asked again and was told they had decided not to do anything about it. Apparently the charity big wig was here recently which I only found out today, He claimed a letter was sent out so tenants could make an appointment to see him. No letter.
|
|
|
|
Post by LandieMark on Jul 6, 2017 19:22:53 GMT
What they are doing is illegal. Report them to the council.
|
|
|
|
Post by franki68 on Jul 7, 2017 7:29:27 GMT
Ok ,if it is rent they cannot just increase it.You are either on an ast in which case they cannot increase rent until the term finishes ,if you are on a 'rolling' tenancy I believe they can increase it once a year but have to serve notice and you have to agree to it.
|
|
|
|
Post by racingteatray on Jul 7, 2017 10:38:07 GMT
Ok ,if it is rent they cannot just increase it.You are either on an ast in which case they cannot increase rent until the term finishes ,if you are on a 'rolling' tenancy I believe they can increase it once a year but have to serve notice and you have to agree to it. Yes, I thought you were required to agree to it for a rolling tenancy. |
|
|
|
Post by franki68 on Jul 7, 2017 11:19:27 GMT
Ok ,if it is rent they cannot just increase it.You are either on an ast in which case they cannot increase rent until the term finishes ,if you are on a 'rolling' tenancy I believe they can increase it once a year but have to serve notice and you have to agree to it. Yes, I thought you were required to agree to it for a rolling tenancy. ThAts my understanding . |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2017 12:41:48 GMT
I either agree or get evicted, the situation seems to be take it or leave it but the locals here think along the same lines. When I applied I was informed they encouraged tenants to have pets but I had to have a doctors letter to say the cats were companion animals. Not hard to get but these days they charge for this. I was informed I could have two cats here but Sprocket died before I was able to move and the local manager told me I would have to apply for any further animals. When Zebedee died in april I was told I was not allowed an animal here unless I applied again with another letter from the GP. I was also told I would be unlikely to be allowed. The other tenants say pets have never been allowed. My experience of Haig housing is of liars and bullies with fewer manners than a carpet weevil or louse. I had my crash from the adrenaline high last evening until this morning, going on anoth elevated adrenaline level now which I know because of the chest pain and shaking. I feel like a bit of a wuss right now but there is nothing I can do about it as the treatment for any hyper sensitivity is adrenaline. Done both ways. Sorry, I am bothering youi guys with this and you all have real issues out there. I shall keep this to myself from here on.
|
|
|
|
Post by Boxer6 on Jul 7, 2017 13:05:55 GMT
I either agree or get evicted, the situation seems to be take it or leave it but the locals here think along the same lines. When I applied I was informed they encouraged tenants to have pets but I had to have a doctors letter to say the cats were companion animals. Not hard to get but these days they charge for this. I was informed I could have two cats here but Sprocket died before I was able to move and the local manager told me I would have to apply for any further animals. When Zebedee died in april I was told I was not allowed an animal here unless I applied again with another letter from the GP. I was also told I would be unlikely to be allowed. The other tenants say pets have never been allowed. My experience of Haig housing is of liars and bullies with fewer manners than a carpet weevil or louse. I had my crash from the adrenaline high last evening until this morning, going on anoth elevated adrenaline level now which I know because of the chest pain and shaking. I feel like a bit of a wuss right now but there is nothing I can do about it as the treatment for any hyper sensitivity is adrenaline. Done both ways. Sorry, I am bothering youi guys with this and you all have real issues out there. I shall keep this to myself from here on. Sorry I can be of no practical help Mike, especially as tenancy rules are different up here to down there in Englandshire!
BUT, despite minor ructions elsewhere, past events have shown this place to be extremely supportive in times of need, of which this definitely qualifies IMHO. So use us as you want, even start a new thread in the Members Only section to avoid nosy 'bots and the like.
Chin up mate, we are here for you if only 'virtually'.
|
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Jul 7, 2017 14:51:19 GMT
Agreed, a problem shared and all that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Jul 7, 2017 19:48:43 GMT
Don't feel you can't talk on here Mike. It sounds like you've had some good advice from those in the know about such things but I do worry you're in a situation where they can disobey the rules and if you don't like it they'll find some other sucker who will. I don't know much about your circumstances but am I right in thinking that Haig are a housing association? If so I think you should go to the council as it's not right that they should be treating potentially vulnerable people this way (which is what housing association tenants are deemed to be by most councils).
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2017 21:02:33 GMT
Rule #31.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2017 21:03:03 GMT
Rule #31.
|
|
|
|
Post by Roadsterstu on Jul 12, 2017 8:39:28 GMT
A housing association that is generally shit? You do surprise me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Jul 12, 2017 9:14:11 GMT
A housing association that is generally shit? You do surprise me. Though you'd like to hope one set up for ex forces veterans would be a tad less shitty! |
|
|
|
Post by Big Blue on Jul 13, 2017 15:59:40 GMT
A housing association that is generally shit? You do surprise me. Though you'd like to hope one set up for ex forces veterans would be a tad less shitty! Not really: they know what you can put up with in a Garrison. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2017 15:50:52 GMT
I get the feeling you are correct. My first posting was Sennelager and tank regiments were being increased from five squadrons rather than the previous four (Back to four now). My first accommodation was a disused chapel. 36 of us in there meant we had 18 inches from double stacked beds to a wardrobe. An outside toilet, one of and a single chipped and stained sink between us. I have seen worse but at the time it was pretty grotty and we still got hauled over the coals if we were late for first parade.
|
|
