£10,000 lost in rent and expenses!
We own a leasehold flat and the landlords are a well known Housing Trust. Ever since 2012, we have suffered from blocked drains, few times reversing into our flat, and in June 2016 we were forced to move our tenants out of the flat into hotels.
The landlords had the pipes repaired and Insurers settled the property claim. We have lost close £10,000 in lost rent and expenses, etc, and wish to claim these from the landlords or from their public liability insurance.
The landlords were made aware of the past problems by emails and telephone calls.
Where do I stand?
Atul
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Tenant not handing back keys in HMO?
Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3453 - Articles: 286
11:54 AM, 2nd February 2017, About 9 years ago
Hi Atul,
That is a lot of money! I would take legal advice.
Member Since July 2015 - Comments: 81
10:55 AM, 3rd February 2017, About 9 years ago
Atul, get yourself a good solicitor and add the legal costs to your claim. Most HA’s are no better than Local Authorities, you wont get a penny out of them unless you go down the legal route.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 179
11:55 AM, 3rd February 2017, About 9 years ago
1st send them a bill for this with every receipt copy, they will reply
Then start a county court action for recovery of unpaid bill (you can do this online) and pursue it that way and they will likely settle before it gets to court
Dont engage anyone to do this for you as It will cost you another 3-4k
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 828
12:46 PM, 3rd February 2017, About 9 years ago
HAs are usually much worse
Member Since August 2015 - Comments: 35
12:20 AM, 4th February 2017, About 9 years ago
If the property has been uninhabitable, there should be cover for loss of rent under any BTL insurance policy.
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 428
10:29 AM, 4th February 2017, About 9 years ago
You may also be able to add your losses to the claim under the building insurance policy. Check the lease to see what it says about insurance obligations and the wording of the landlord’s policy, which should be available to you if they are effectively insuring on your behalf. It is by no means certain that the landlord is legally liable for your losses so I would be very cautious about going down that route without a full understanding of the legal issues and a clear idea of what you would need to prove to succeed in your claim, backed up by the necessary evidence.