Accommodation: your rights
What to do if...
Something needs repaired
Your landlord has a responsibility to undertake repairs and make sure that the flat meets the new ‘Repairing Standard’ at all times during your tenancy. This includes ensuring that the flat is wind and watertight, that the heating and hot water are working and that any appliances supplied as part of the tenancy agreement are in working order.
Contact your landlord or his/her agent in the first instance to get repairs done. Keep a note of when you contacted them, in case you need to chase it up. A reasonable length of time to carry out a repair depends on the nature of the problem – serious risks to your health and safety should be dealt with urgently, whereas more minor repairs might take a little bit longer.
My landlord won’t do the repairs
From 3 September 2007, tenants have the right to ask the Private Rented Housing Panel to force their landlord to carry out repairs which are related to the Repairing Standard.
Before the PRHP will consider your case, you have to be able to demonstrate that you have reported the problem to your landlord and given him/her a reasonable chance to respond. So it’s a good idea to keep copies of any letters or emails you send your landlord about the repairs.
You can download an application form, together with details of the Repairing Standard, from the PRHP website.
You can also call into the Advice Centre in the John McIntyre Building for more help and advice.
My flat is infested with bugs
Contact your landlord or the council’s environmental health officer (EHO), in the first instance. For Environmental Health contact details and more information about pest control, check out Glasgow City Council’s website.
The neighbours are really noisy
First try and speak to your neighbour, because it might just be that they don’t realise how noisy they are. If this does not help, contact your landlord or the Environmental Health Department.
Breach of contract or Threat of Eviction
If one of your flatmates breaks the contract or your landlord threatens to evict you, contact the SRC Advice Centre. The same applies if you have problems getting your deposit back when you move out.
I don’t get on with my flatmates anymore
It will be a lot easier if you can work things out with your flatmates. Try talking things through with them, and let them know how you’re feeling to see if there’s anything you can do to make things better. If you do decide to move out of your flat early, you will have to negotiate this with your landlord or you could end up being liable to pay the remaining months’ rent.
This doesn’t mean that you have to accept upsetting or threatening behaviour though – if this is happening, contact the Advice Centre to discuss your options.
HMO Licensing
An HMO is a House in Multiple Occupation, which is a property where three or more unrelated people live, using shared facilities. If you live with your landlord s/he does not count as one of those people. Many students live in HMO properties while they are at University. For a landlord or letting agent to operate an HMO, the property must be licensed with the local Council before it is rented out.
The licensing conditions are strict, and include, for example, the need to have clear fire escape routes, safe gas and electrical appliances, adequately sized rooms and a telephone line installed.
It’s not a good idea to live in an unlicensed HMO as it may expose you to health, safety and welfare hazards. Unlicensed HMO’s are illegal and may not meet the Council’s safety standards. If the property is licensed the licence must be prominently displayed. If you cannot see it you should ask the landlord to see a copy.
If you are in any doubt that a property is licensed, it is sensible not to agree to take it until you have checked. Students are often put under pressure by landlords to sign tenancy agreements as there is often great demand for larger properties. However, it’s in your own best interests to check everything before you sign as complications could arise later in the tenancy e.g. in extreme cases you could be held responsible for colluding with the landlord to avoid his/her responsibility to licence the property.
If you call the HMO Unit of Glasgow City Council they will be able to tell you whether there has been an application for a licence and whether a licence has been refused. You can do this anonymously, as information on properties with HMO licences is available to the public.
For further information on HMO licensing and landlord responsibilities have a look at Shelter Scotland.
Contacts
Src Advice Centre
advice@src.gla.ac.uk
0141 339 8541
Glasgow University Residential Services
http://www.accom.gla.ac.uk
accom@gla.ac.uk
0141 330 4743
Shelter
http://scotland.shelter.org.uk
0844 8935560
Student pad (independent website)
http://www.studentpad.co.uk
Glasgow city council
http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/eng/residents
Licensing section (HMOs): 0141 287 4535
HSE gas safety advice line
0800 300 363
Transco (gas leaks) 24 hour hotline
0800 111 999