By Patrick Greenfield, Sarah Marsh and Maeve McClenaghan - The... moreBy Patrick Greenfield, Sarah Marsh and Maeve McClenaghan - The Guardian - 08 October 2018
Charities condemn ‘horrifying’ number of deaths on streets and in shelters
More than 440 homeless people have died on streets or in temporary accommodation in the UK in the past year, an investigation has found. A former soldier, an astrophysicist and a Big Issue seller are among the hundreds who have died since October 2017. They were found dead in shop doorways, hostels and camping in tents in woodland, with some lying dead for months before their bodies were discovered, requiring forensic testing for identification. Charities have called the deaths a national disgrace and have blamed soaring homelessness on austerity, expensive private rents and a lack of social housing. They called on local authorities to hold investigations into every death as standard. The figures, compiled by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ), are likely to be a substantial underestimate as no official organisation counts homeless... less
Hi, I have been renting my flat for 6 months. The landlord informed me that there will be major work undertaken to the flat to... moreHi, I have been renting my flat for 6 months. The landlord informed me that there will be major work undertaken to the flat to enhance the kitchen and the bathroom features. He said it is necessary to have this work done. I gave him my notice to vacate the property at the end of my lease. He wasn’t too happy but I got a promotion at work and I am leaving the area. Instead of waiting until I move away he has decided to start work now while I am still living in the property. The work will disturb me and my routine. I have expressed my concern but he said he is entitled to make necessary repairs to his property for the next tenant. What about my tranquility of life? I am paying the rent and don’t think that it is fair for the flat to undergo a makeover while I am still a tenant. Has anyone got any suggestions? less
Hi guys. My landlord has told me I am going to be evicted from my apartment. The reason he gave is that I have invited my... moreHi guys. My landlord has told me I am going to be evicted from my apartment. The reason he gave is that I have invited my brother, who just got divorced and doesn’t have anywhere to go to stay with me temporarily until he figures out what to do. He is working part time and cannot afford to pay rent now. Someone in the building reported this fact to my landlord who was furious and demanded that I vacate the property and he is giving me a months’ notice. Can he do that? He said my tenancy agreement specified that I am the sole tenant. He said that I have 2 choices. Either I vacate the flat or my brother moves out. I cannot see my brother out on the street. The council is not helping. Can someone advise? less
Hi guys. My landlord has told me I am going to be evicted from my apartment. The reason he gave is that I have invited my... moreHi guys. My landlord has told me I am going to be evicted from my apartment. The reason he gave is that I have invited my brother, who just got divorced and doesn’t have anywhere to go to stay with me temporarily until he figures out what to do. He is working part time and cannot afford to pay rent now. Someone in the building reported this fact to my landlord who was furious and demanded that I vacate the property and he is giving me a months’ notice. Can he do that? He said my tenancy agreement specified that I am the sole tenant. He said that I have 2 choices. Either I vacate the flat or my brother moves out. I cannot see my brother out on the street. The council is not helping. Can someone advise? less
Hi, I have a slum landlord who is very nice but fails to listen to my concerns. I am a student from Jamaica and I cannot afford... moreHi, I have a slum landlord who is very nice but fails to listen to my concerns. I am a student from Jamaica and I cannot afford to pay more in rent than I am already paying. The place is a dump. In the winter, I suffer a lot because the heater is not working properly. The shower does not work at all and I have to use a bucket and the carpet is smelly. My bed is a mattress on the floor. There are cockroaches everywhere. The room is self-contained and the rent is only £300 a month all bills included. I am scared to complain because the rent for similar accommodation in the area is £750 which I cannot afford. I don’t know if I have got grounds to complain because I am a foreigner. Does anyone know someone with a better place to rent? A room will do, if it is clean and well equipped for £300 a month? less
Hello, I have been having a problem with my landlord. I have realised that he has decided to increase my rent by £50 from £575... moreHello, I have been having a problem with my landlord. I have realised that he has decided to increase my rent by £50 from £575 to £625. I told him that I will not be able to pay this extra increase because my salary remains the same. He told me that my tenancy agreement specified that there would be an increase on a yearly basis due to inflation, but no figure was mentioned. Can he do this, put up the rent by this arbitrary figure? What I am supposed to do? I cannot afford to move now. Can someone help? less
Hi, my estate agent and landlord are in a dispute over money. Apparently, the landlord has asked the estate agent to deal with... moreHi, my estate agent and landlord are in a dispute over money. Apparently, the landlord has asked the estate agent to deal with repairs on the flat. But the estate agent said that the original contract did not mention that they should deal with repairs. The landlord said the contract was signed 10 years ago, and it should have been revised to include the new arrangement. The estate agent was called by the landlord’s wife who told the estate agent that they she wants them to deal with the full management of the property. She said that the estate agent agreed to amend the contract. But it hasn’t been received. They assumed that everything was okay because there was a verbal agreement. The estate agent said that they did send the new contract but did not receive the conformation of receipt. When I approached the estate agent for the repair of a leak in my bedroom, he said to contact the landlord. The dispute between the landlord and the estate agent has been going on for the past 3 months. The wall in... less
Hi. I have been fighting my landlord to make repairs to the flat I am renting. I am paying my rent on time and have never missed... moreHi. I have been fighting my landlord to make repairs to the flat I am renting. I am paying my rent on time and have never missed a month. The toilet seat is broken, the front door bell is no longer working and the carpet needs changing. He promised that the repairs would be completed within six months from the date I moved in. When I call him, his wife always tells me that he is outside the country or in meetings. I have written him a letter highlighting the problems. I want to leave but I don’t know if I will lose my deposit as he has not given me a deposit scheme protection reference number and he did not give me a receipt for my deposit. He is also the father of a friend of mine. What should I do? less
Hi. Has anyone been in a similar situation to me? I am sharing accommodation with my ex-girlfriend. We were flat mates before we... moreHi. Has anyone been in a similar situation to me? I am sharing accommodation with my ex-girlfriend. We were flat mates before we got involved in a relationship. Everything is now unbearable. We have split up and I can no longer live under the same roof with her. The problem is that we both signed the contract and shared the deposit. The lease is renewable yearly. She does not want to move away and wants to stay in the flat. She also said that she cannot afford the rent alone. I am bound by this contract and there is no way out. I contacted the landlord who told me to sort it out with my ex-girlfriend. What I am supposed to do? Can someone help? less
Hi. I rented my flat 3 months ago, on a yearly contract. The flat is wonderful, in fact very nice. Unfortunately, I am constantly... moreHi. I rented my flat 3 months ago, on a yearly contract. The flat is wonderful, in fact very nice. Unfortunately, I am constantly pleading with my neighbours to keep their voices and general noise down. I explained that I wake up early in the morning to go to work and pleaded with them to reduce the noise levels. They keep apologizing but the noise continues. At the weekend, I try to catch up with my sleep but the noise and music is too much. I talked to the landlord and he said that there is nothing he can do. He has said that the neighbours have told him that they do not make noise after the restricted hours which he said start after 9 pm. But as early as 4 am in the morning their toddler cries and that is usually the end of my sleep. What can I do? less
