Can a landlord just decide not to do repairs after many issues?
So sorry for the long post :
I live in a small flat in England and it's not the best but is in an ideal location.
A bit of context: I've lived there for 4-5 years and since the start I've had many many issues, some I've repaired myself, some I've had to call the agency. First day I stayed there the bedroom door got stuck, thankfully I was in the other side but other doors got stuck including the main one while I was gone and my sister had to call the neighbour to force it open.
Mold appearing everywhere but mainly in the bathroom ceiling. It's gotten so bad I'm repainting with anti-mould paint myself
Also major mice issue that apparently had started even before we moved as we found all the traps under the kitchen oven.
But the main issues have been the leaks.
I have neighbours downstairs that have had major leaks, one coming from the bathroom and when the plumber came he saw the whole wood structure was rotten and molden (you could see in the flat under) but only sealed the bathroom tiles to fix the leak on my end and not sure what he did downstairs.
Also had to come back cause there was another leak in the neighbours kitchen but plumber couldn't see that it was coming from my kitchen so didn't do any repairs.
Plumber mentioned that ideally the whole system would be repaired...
Shortly after the agency sent all three residents an emails saying they'd found various items in the pipes and because of the nature of those items I know for sure it's not coming from me BUT rest of their emails also say that "any future blockages caused by misuse or inappropriate disposal will be deemed the responsibility of the tenants and will be recharged accordingly."
Now today kitchen sink is leaking and I can't actually see where it's coming from cause all the pips are dry but I think it might be from under the boiler. I messaged them and they are refusing to send someone. I called and they said that all the repairs were costing them too much money and I would have to pay for the plumber myself moving forward for any repairs. Emailed so I could have everything in writing and mentioned that the previous issues weren't a case of misuse from my part and cite the renters act and they even had the nerve to send me a pdf copy of it...
I replied that
- My sink leak was independent of the blockage that was apparently repaired in the neighbours flat
- Also sent the follow: "Many thanks for sending over the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet which explicitly confirms your legal obligations to repair the structure, exterior, plumbing, sanitation, and ensure the property is in decent condition. All my reported issues fall within these statutory obligations.
Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, you remain legally obligated to repair these structural defects in the plumbing system and roof, regardless of the blockage issues you have now resolved." (Yeah there's also a leak/opening in the roof thatve let water in when we had a month of rain, they never bothered to get back to me to fix it despite me mentioning it several times)
Now I just want the reassurance that I'm doing everything correctly keeping the correspondence by email, keeping prove of their refusal and citing the correct law.
Also want to check what is the next step if they refuse to do anything after 2-3 days?
This has caused me quite a lot if stress and anxiety, I hate dealing with them even though I'm a good tenant, and pay always on time. My biggest worry is if they might retaliate by increasing the rent or not deciding to renew next year? It'll be a pain to move