landlord problems

[seduraed]

I have a friend who is having landlord problems. Althugh smoking smoking is prohibited in her shared property one of the tenants insits on smoking in the house . He not only smokes tobacco but also illegal substances. Thishas led to the usal damages to teh fixtures and fittings . The smker is a large male wwith anger managment issues while my friend is small female and has learningdifficulties. She is too scared to ask tehtenat to stop and mo the landlord is asking for money for reapirs and cleaning. I have so far suggested that teh next time she catches the mansmoking she callthe police. The landlrs hasalso increased the rent , althugh she is currently on a periodic tenancy her assured shorthld tenancy having expired.

Any advice gratefully recieved

[Caspar]

Re: landlord problems

Re the periodic tenancy, my understanding of one of these was that the tenancy agreement carries on under the same terms and conditions of the previous tenancy agreement, so any rent increase would, in my understanding, be governed by the terms of the Assured Shorthold Tenancy.

As for the smoking, and smoking of illegal substances, I think she should report the smoker to the Landlord - it is his problem, not hers. If she knows there are illegal substances in the house, she could consider reporting him to the police and explaining her concerns.

[SpringerSpaniel]

Re: landlord problems

There may be a housing advice service run by her local council who can help her and perhaps make representations to her landlord about the whole situation. There may also be advocacy service which could help her given her disability.