Landlady Issues

[starsandsparkles]

One our dining room chairs collapsed in our flat whilst my flatmate was sitting on it eating her breakfast.

When we told our landlady she basically accused us of deliberately breaking it because the chairs "weren't cheap" and "were very sturdy", which is why she bought them. We moved in in Sept 07 and the chairs had been there for a year previously - so 9 months of students and 3 months of a summer lease to tourists. She claims that the set of six chairs cost approx £1100 and that the cost of replacing it would come out of our deposits.

This hasn't been the only problem: when we first moved in we were suspicious that there was something wrong with the boiler. When we told our landlady, she basically said that we obviously hadn't put the timer on properly. However, when the plumber came, the boiler was indeed faulty. Whilst it was broken she gave us one heater when we live in a three floor flat with six bedrooms.

In about November, I tried to leave my attic bedroom and discovered that the door handle had broken, leaving me unable to get out of my room. After some trying, my flatmate's boyfriend removed the handle so I could get out. The cost of fixing this was £40, which she says is also coming out of our deposits.

Additionally we are supposed to have a cleaner for two hours every week, paid for as part of our rent. There have been about 7 weeks where the cleaners haven't been. When we asked about compensation for this, our landlady said that the flat would be thoroughly cleaned at the end of our tenancy so we wouldn't be losing any money really. However, at a recent meeting she said when we move out of the flat we have to make sure it is clean otherwise we may incurr extra cleaning costs.

We don't want to cause a fuss because we want to stay in the house next year, but I feel our landlady is taking advantage of us because of this. Am I being unreasonable thinking she is being unfair or should I just pay up?

Also, does anyone have the e-mail address of someone at the union we could speak to about this? (I'm at home at the moment and so can't go personally)

[James Shield]

I very much suggest you get in touch with Eleanor at the Students' Association on the details below, even if it's just to consider your options and ask what can be done.

Student Advocate (Accommodation):
Eleanor Feltham
ef41@st-andrews.ac.uk
01334 462700 (switchboard)
Mon & Tues 9am-3pm; Weds 9am-12pm


James Shield
SRC Accommodation Officer

[Al]

It definitely sounds like she's trying to take advantage.

Contact emails:

srcaccommodation@st-andrews.ac.uk - SRC Accommodation Officer
dorep@st-andrews.ac.uk - DOR
sahelp@st-andrews.ac.uk - Student Advocate (Accommodation)

[starsandsparkles]

Quoting James Shield from 21:37, 20th Jan 2008
I very much suggest you get in touch with Eleanor at the Students' Association on the details below, even if it's just to consider your options and ask what can be done.

Student Advocate (Accommodation):
Eleanor Feltham
ef41@st-andrews.ac.uk
01334 462700 (switchboard)
Mon & Tues 9am-3pm; Weds 9am-12pm


James Shield
SRC Accommodation Officer

Thanks, James.

[d_24]

It's unfair to generalise but most landlords/ladies are scamming money grabing bastards who will charge you £500 for a chipped coffee mug that was already chipped at the drop of a hat....and then charge you for dropping a hat.

Best advice: complain, complain and complain until they cave or cry.

[Duggeh]

There are nice landladies out there. I've had 2. And I've stayed in 2 places. Not bad innings.

[hr]

IMAGE:www.thismanwillkillyou.com/avatars/tb3-100.jpg
Duggeh: Master Of Ceremonies

[starsandsparkles]

Quoting James Shield from 21:37, 20th Jan 2008
I very much suggest you get in touch with Eleanor at the Students' Association on the details below, even if it's just to consider your options and ask what can be done.

Student Advocate (Accommodation):
Eleanor Feltham
ef41@st-andrews.ac.uk
01334 462700 (switchboard)
Mon & Tues 9am-3pm; Weds 9am-12pm


James Shield
SRC Accommodation Officer

James, I emailed Eleanor after you posted this and haven't had a reply yet. Any ideas? I know it's inter-semester break but I would like to get this sorted.

[James Shield]

She is definitely in this week (I saw her on Monday) and so should be in tomorrow between 9am-12pm. You might be best off ringing the General Office on 01334 462700 and asking to speak to her tomorrow morning.

[Leon]

Is this house on church street by any chance? It sounds a lot like the one we had in 2nd year - disaster.

[starsandsparkles]

Ah ok. Well I'm back in St Andrews tomorrow so I might just pop in instead.

Leon - no, it's not on Church Street but glad to know we're not the only ones with issues!

[James Shield]

Eleanor only works part time, I'm afraid - she'll next be in on Monday, 9am-3pm.