unhealthy and unsafe building – can I move out?
I moved in a flat a month ago and these are the issues I have:
1. the close of the building and generally the whole building is very dirty. People have been leaving their garbage bags inside the close and the smell is coming into my flat and there are insects and flies that probably carry germs. This is me walking through this garbage hall everyday carrying my food. I have raised that to the agency, they removed the bags, but the floor is still very dirty. People in the building keep leaving there garbage in the close. What should I do
2. The main door lock is broken and there was a homeless man sleeping literally outside my door. I again raised that to the agency, the changed the lock but that is broken again. The mattress that the homeless man was sleeping on was still there, I removed it and he brought it back. I asked them to remove it, but eventually I did it myself. Please note that this man was using the stairs as a toilet which again I raised to the agency and asked them to clean the building and decontaminate it. But nothing happened. Any advice?
Is this situation enough to raise issues with my tenancy and ask to move out?
George
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Comments: 297 - Articles: 1
1:07 PM, 1st September 2015, About 11 years ago
Have you spoken to Environmental Health at the local council? I had them after me for far smaller issues than that a few years ago.
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 1
1:27 PM, 1st September 2015, About 11 years ago
Thank you Jerry. I’ve sent them an email today. Still waiting for their response. Hopefully they’ll be able to help me and clean the building or at least give me some advice and a solution to be able to break my tenancy agreement and find somewhere else to stay
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 80
10:32 AM, 2nd September 2015, About 11 years ago
I agree, Environmental Services/Housing and Public Health are the right people to contact. However, this should have been dealt with by the landlord or agent; there are likely to be re-percussions on them, that you have had to contact the local authority.
There must be a way of securing the door correctly and I am wondering whether someone else in the building is colluding with the rough sleeper? Hopefully, the authority will remove the mattress so your building will not be as welcoming. If he still gets in, should the Police not be alerted? Surely trespass is still a criminal offence?
Comments: 85
10:31 AM, 8th September 2015, About 11 years ago