0
   

Should I get a rebate?

 
 
Reply Tue 14 Feb, 2012 09:47 am
I moved into some university accommodation on the 10th Dec. A house I had chosen specifically, i did not sign up to be allotted a random room.
A week after I moved in, I developed a rash. It lasted for 2 months; I went to the doctors, they prescribed me with many things and none of them worked. At times it was unbearable.
Found out a week ago that it was bed bugs. I looked around my mattress and found some old cases of the bugs. Called the college accommodation, they sent pest control in and the man confirmed that the bed bugs had been there for ages, it was an old infestation.

The college have given me somewhere to live in the meantime, but I had to move every single one of my possessions, check them over for bugs, boil all my clothes and move them to the new house by myself. (They had said they would offer me help, but on the day they didn't send anyone although I asked them too). When I got to the new house, the bedding was yellow and stained and had flecks of dirt all over it. I had to go and ASK for them to give me clean bedding. Moving all my stuff took about a day and a half and I am completely and utterly exhausted. I can't move back into my room for a month and am stuck in this **** tiny box room.

Should I get any compensation? I am extremely angry that this has happened, especially in the middle of term when I have had so much to do. I'm thinking of refusing to pay rent for the two months in which I lived in unclean conditions. I am also going to get a doctors note and write down how much I had to spend on antihistamines and prescriptions.

Could I also ask them to give me a rebate for this month when I have to live somewhere I would never have agreed to live if I did not have to and is definitely not worth what I was paying before? I've been very nice to them so far because I find it difficult to be offhand with people, should I register my disatisfaction in an email before mentioning anything about money? Otherwise they make think this whole thing was fine for me and that I only worked out i could get money later and am being greedy? Or should I wait until I am back in the house that I want to live in first, in case they don't let me move back?

Thanks

pq
 
dlowan
 
  2  
Reply Tue 14 Feb, 2012 02:58 pm
@The Pentacle Queen,
It seems fair to me that you should not have to pay for accommodation that is substandard and should receive some compensation for costs associated with medical issues caused by it.

Is there some sort of contract you entered into for the accommodation? If so, have a good look at it.

Beyond that I can't comment about US laws or custom and practice about these things.

We have a residential tenancies agency who would advise and a tribunal to settle disputes, but I am not sure what you guys have to assist in such matters.

I bet someone will come along soon with more informed advice.

Meanwhile.....bummer! That's a rotten start to your year.
0 Replies
 
izzythepush
 
  2  
Reply Wed 15 Feb, 2012 11:32 am
@The Pentacle Queen,
I've just had a look on Shelter's website. You live in London don't you? Follow the link, enter your postcode and there will be a list of people who can advise you.
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_services_directory
0 Replies
 
izzythepush
 
  3  
Reply Wed 15 Feb, 2012 01:45 pm
You could try asking student services at the NUS? This is their page on rogue landlords.
http://www.nus.org.uk/advice/housing-advice/
0 Replies
 
The Pentacle Queen
 
  1  
Reply Wed 15 Feb, 2012 04:49 pm
Hello everyone, thank you for your help. No I live in Cambridge so this was the fault of the university accommodation! I'm getting some help from the MCR president which hopefully might sort things a bit. I've looked at the contract, and it actually makes no mention of things having to be clean. But surely they can't argue that that isn't necessary?
izzythepush
 
  1  
Reply Wed 15 Feb, 2012 05:07 pm
@The Pentacle Queen,
Check out the link to Shelter, as long as you're in England it's relevant. There are lots of free advice centres like the CAB. If you enter your post code you'll find the nearest ones to you. Also take advantage of the NUS, you're a member so use their services.
0 Replies
 
The Pentacle Queen
 
  1  
Reply Thu 16 Feb, 2012 10:31 am
Thanks Izzy, will do.
izzythepush
 
  1  
Reply Thu 16 Feb, 2012 10:47 am
@The Pentacle Queen,
Take care, and try not to let it get in the way of your studies.
0 Replies
 
The Pentacle Queen
 
  3  
Reply Thu 8 Mar, 2012 12:25 pm
Thanks for all the help guys, I just got given £1327.99!
Woohoooooo!
izzythepush
 
  2  
Reply Thu 8 Mar, 2012 12:35 pm
@The Pentacle Queen,
Brilliant, don't spend it all on bite ointment.
0 Replies
 
 

Related Topics

 
  1. Forums
  2. » Should I get a rebate?
Copyright © 2024 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.22 seconds on 12/01/2024 at 10:30:29