Lewes Forum thread

Go on, tell 'em what you think

Lewes Forum New message

private renters

On 31 May 2015 at 8:49pm T. Nant wrote:

Are there any tenants out there who have been party to a dispute with their landlord, and can recommend the services of a decent (that is to say fairly reasonably priced) Solicitor?

On 1 Jun 2015 at 8:18am Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:

The phrase "fairly reasonably priced solicitor" is something of an oxymoron, I fear.
For some issues, Brighton Housing Trust have excellent housing advisers (they have offices in Eastbourne as well as Brighton). If it's a money matter, suing in the county court is a doddle and you can probably do it yourself. For disrepair, the environmental health department is what you need. If it's about challenging a S21 notice, don't bother, as the law is stacked massively in the landlord's favour.
Shelter can also give advice over the phone, they don't just deal with homelessness but all sorts of housing matters.

On 1 Jun 2015 at 12:47pm Private Parts wrote:

Well said Annette.

On 1 Jun 2015 at 2:31pm Fairmeadow wrote:

It all depends on your security. If you have a standard AST your landlord can, for no reason, give you notice to quit at the end of the period, and there is little you can do about it. If your initial period has ended and you are on a rolling periodic contract, they just have to give you two months notice, using the proper form, and there isn't much you can do about it.
If you are in a position to get another tenancy with a better landlord, best to smile, give notice, get a reference and move.
If you are not, be aware that, unless you have a council, HA or other secure tenancy, you risk losing your home.
Also be aware that there is at least one bad landlord with many decrepit properties in Lewes whose habitual response to her tenants complaining about the poor state of her properties is to jack the rent up every time they complain until they learn their lesson.
Basically the current regime gives all the power to the landlord. There are more tenants out there than there are homes. They can usually evict you faster than you can make them improve the property, if they are so inclined. If asking nicely doesn't work, best to start planning to move. Unless, of course, you are one of the lucky minority with a secure tenancy.
Sad but true. There was one political party that offered tenants a better deal in the May elections, but hardly anyone in Lewes voted for them.

On 9 Jun 2015 at 1:54pm Stanley & Partners wrote:

The CAB should give you good advice. Whats the issue? Will try to help if can.
If you need to move do give us a call in Lewes to see what properties we have available to rent. Hope we can help.
Just to disagree with Fairmeadow that if Labour had gotten in it would have increased costs to tenants and dried up the market even more. If there is a problem with an agent they have to belong to a redress scheme who will investigate a problem. If they are a private landlord they dont. Hence use a reputable agent.