Inventory and missing items issue in student property

Inventory and missing items issue in student property

16:54 PM, 21st September 2015, About 9 years ago 13

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My daughter is just about to move into a shared house with some friends for her second year of university. The friends have already moved in & discovered some issues – a broken window in a bedroom, TV & toaster missing & “extreme” mould in the bathroom.TV

At first they thought that the house had been broken into (smashed window) & TV stolen but upon contacting the letting agent they have been told that the landlord has removed the TV.

They say that they will replace the toaster, but don’t have to provide a TV. I don’t understand if this can be right – the TV is on the inventory (as well as toaster) and it’s a furnished, student let?

At first the letting agent seemed very disinterested in the smashed window and mould, but now say they will get that looked at. But say the TV won’t be coming back.

Any advice please.

Thank you.

Unidad


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Comments

Claire Smith

16:20 PM, 22nd September 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mike W" at "22/09/2015 - 14:11":

Great suggestions Mike. I would also think that it is worth talking to the students' union/ housing department at the university. They are in a great position to put pressure on the landlord.
Most of us work hard at keeping our properties in good condition and looking after the students and it is a shame that bad landlords like this can give us all a bad name.

Mike W

17:22 PM, 22nd September 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "S Hays" at "22/09/2015 - 14:53":

Much depends on the location. In Scotland any property where 3 or more unrelated individuals reside is by definition an HMO and requires a licence. Unfortunately a lot of banks and building societies and brokers do not understand Scottish law. They seem to think that a Scottish HMO is the same as an English HMO.

I have even had one building society say that they provide loans on property rented to 4 students in scotland but not on HMOs. They changed their mind when I directed them to the scottish law website.

Yvonne Francis

10:51 AM, 23rd September 2015, About 9 years ago

hi Nick and S.Hay
The information you have supplied on the licences of HMO's is out of date. Councils have discretion but they can require a Licence for HMO's of 3 or more. Oxford require a Licence of 3 or more for the last couple of years. We have one for 3 which requires a Licence.

I did say 'most' and not all. I believe it's 4 or more in London as my daughter was turned down as a group of 3 for a 4 bed house in case they bought in another to share as the Landlord needed a License.

Even if this house in question is not a Licensed HMO the Council are responsible for enforcing good standards in housing. Tenants should use this. I feel sometimes as a Landlord I'm batting for the wrong side, but say it I do.

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