Help for tenant

[Vikingr]

Hello
A family member is renting a flat which recently suffered a major leak, not of their making, which rendered it uninhabitable. They are living in temporary accommodation but would like to sever the tenancy and move elsewhere. The landlord is overseas and is not responding to the letting agent. What should they do now? Many thanks for any guidance.

[efpom]

What does the tenancy agreement say on the matter of the rented property becoming uninhabitable?

Are they being accommodated temporarily at the landlord's expense?

Have repairs to the property started?
If so. what is the estimate for those repairs to be completed?

[Vikingr]

The LL has to sever the tenancy otherwise the tenants incur costs. They are paying to stay elsewhere. The rent has been suspended. Repairs have not begun. It's been about three weeks.

[efpom]

The LL has to sever the tenancy otherwise the tenants incur costs.

Is the above written in the tenancy agreement?

[Vikingr]

I believe so. The LL can agree to sever at the tenants request but is not responding so tenants can't move on.

[efpom]

Serve notice that tenant has severed the tenancy, on the landlord's agent. (In law, the landlord's agent is the landlord as far as the tenant is concerned
Grounds:
Premises became uninhabitable on xxxx date.
Landlord failed to make the premises habitable in a timely manner, has not even begun the works to do so and landlord's agent has no instructions from the landlord to put those works in hand.

Before serving notice, tenant should move all of his stuff out.

Good luck!

[Vikingr]

Thank you. May I ask under what law the tenant can serve notice? Best wishes.