Questions regarding new rented property

[neonplanet40]

Hi guys. I have moved into a new property in Stirling this weekend. It is a modern 2 bedroom flat and overall finished to a high standard. However I have a few issues that I could use your help with please.

The aerial sockets are not working (bedroom and living room). When we viewed the property the letting agency said they were working and we could use them. However there is a satellite cable (and freesat box) which works. However acting upon the agency's guidance we have took out an 18 month contract with bt vision which requires an aerial. Is there anything we can do?

Lastly, I was turning off plugs at the wall tonight before I went to bed. When I did this they made a loudish buzzing noise as I was turning them off. Is this normal? It did it at another plug as well. I have never came across this before. Freaked me out a bit as a light blew earlier in the living room (ceiling light).The flat was built around 2000 so thought electrics would be pretty good.

Thanks for any advice guys.

Mark

[Jonj1611]

The electric plug thing yes you should be able to contact them and they should send an electrician out as its a safety issue, I am in rented accomodation and my landlord has the electrics inspected every year.

As for the aerial sockets you may be able to say that you were told they were working but I bet the paperwork says you checked everything to make sure it was working, note they will catch you out on that and regardless of the advice given they will say nobody made you sign a contract with BT Vision so won't be liable for that either, however you may be able to cancel it with BT now with penalty if you explain the situation to them.

Other than that good luck with your new property

[neonplanet40]

I haven't signed an inventory yet to state that everything is working. We moved in on Friday and they have still to provide the inventory and flat condition etc for us to sign. Does that change anything?

[Jonj1611]

It will depend on who's responsibility the aerial is but I am not an expert on it, here is an interesting thread though :-

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums...s-disconnected

[neonplanet40]

I just assumed it was the landlords as we were told it was working, we have just moved in and it is not. So it does not meet the standards in which it was sold (rented) to us.

Also, the fact that we signed up to an 18 month contract with BT (our tenancy is on a 1 year contract) then it shows the landlord we are looking to stay on so surely at this early stage they would want to keep things good rather than put our backs up at this early stage. (or at least that's what I would think)

I have contacted Martin and Co (the letting agency) who said they will contact the landlord and get back to me about both the electric issue and aerial.

[jimbouk]

surely at this early stage they would want to keep things good rather than put our backs up at this early stage. (or at least that's what I would think)

Except they probably take more money with all the fees for a new tenant than they do with people in situ...

They say verbal contracts are worth the paper they are written on, but go down that avenue promptly so that you can contact BT within a reasonable period of time to get the TV contract stopped if needed.

[neonplanet40]

We luckily we don't pay fee's here in Scotland. I believe they are recouped from the landlord. Well I will wait to see what they say to me after speaking to the landlord.

I just assumed that 2 socket fixtures being sold as working should be expected to be working and that they would have to fix it as it is not as described. Tenants seem to get screwed unfortunately.

Thanks