Bare with me cause this whole situation is complicated. Even Citizens Advice doesn't know what to suggest. (I am also on mobile so excuse formatting)
Ok so we moved into our flat 2 and a half years ago. It was owned by Central Stores ltd. We had a year contract and was told if we had any problems to come to the manager of the shop below our flat. He told us this and signed our tenancy with us. He resigned after 6 months and since then the shop has had about 6 different managers and in between them area managers coming to see over things. Since we moved in we had no central heating, no hot water, and a shower that barely worked. We did not know until we moved in. The gas meter was illegally removed too. Our balcony door also does not lock and they just stuck 2 extra clips on it to keep it shut instead of getting us a new door. And about 10 other problems with the flat. It took over a year to get the shower fixed, and a few months to get a gas meter put it. We still have no central heating or hot water but can't afford to move until after Christmas. We haven't had any written communication from central stores, just one call to confirm they sent someone to fix the shower.
Central stores went bust in January 2018. We didn't find out until a week later when the Mother in Law (who works at the shop) told us. Still no written communication. My standing order for the rent did not go through, and the bank told me to contact my landlord. I asked at the shop and the manager at the time, M, said not to pay it until everything is sorted. This seemed very odd, and we didn't trust it one bit. But there was no where to pay rent to so we waited. We asked 2 or 3 more times, twice asking M, once asking the area manager who was in. They told us not to pay it. We still have nothing in writing. Bargain Booze took over.... and went bust in less than a month. Still no communication except that from the lovely ladies at the shop keeping us up to date. Not their job but we are grateful for their gossiping aha. A company called Bestways took over with Trigg acting on behalf of them dealing with the 200+ flats originally owned by Central across the country. We do not know when they took over but we received a letter in the end of May telling us details of where to send rent and an address. We immediately started paying the rent again from the 2nd as that is what our original tenancy agreed and Bestways said to pay it as normal.
Then in August, after having our flat assessed then no contact for a month or 2, some hot shot old office guy from Central who transferred to Bestways comes and says we owe £2400 for the months we did not pay rent. Or we get evicted. He talked down to me the whole time we talked in my living room, did not take me seriously, and promised a new contract would be written up and sent to us.
This did not happen. 2 months later, I email asking what is going on, when our central heating would be fixed (the assessor sent a gas man who told us we couldn't use our gas fire as it wasn't safe?? No more explanation just that.) and where our new contract is. I get a phone call from a lady saying we have no evidence of who told us not to pay rent, no written evidence, and that they apparently sent letters in March and April. She says she has proof of this, however when I asked for the documents to take to Citizens Advice to find out what I do next, she LAUGHED at me and when I asked if she laughed she continued to talk over me and not say they will send evidence.
They are reluctant to send evidence of any money owed, proof of letters sent in March and April, and evidence they bought Central as a company and take on what is owed to Central. She also told me I would get laughed out of court for my lack of evidence. Still waiting on the eviction notice promised 4 months ago so I can see them in court.
Citizens Advice 2 months ago, and Thursday said they need evidence of money owed etc before anything, and they cannot evict us without it. They also told us to contact the Environmental Health Agency in regards to our central heating because it is against our statutory rights.
What else can I do guys? It is getting close to Christmas, I don't have £2400 I am a student who works part time 10 hours a week to pay rent (although they have been giving me no hours or 2 hours lately so I will be finding a new job) and I am freezing my ass off because we have no heating and hot water.
I am sorry for the long message but I think everything is in there that could help us. Please if anyone has advice I would be very grateful!
Thank you in advance Redditors!
Submitted October 28, 2018 at 06:09AM by Hjordiss https://ift.tt/2OWc6MO