Full case updates can be found on my Facebook

Facebook.com/We1shY1987

**Description:**

We, the undersigned, call upon the UK government and Welsh Government to address the pressing issues within the rental market, where tenants face significant challenges related to disrepair in both public and private sectors.

**Petition Points:**

1. **Withholding Rent During Disputes:** Tenants should have the right to withhold rent when serious disrepair issues arise, ensuring a fair resolution without jeopardizing housing or housing applications.

2. **Enforcement Powers:** We demand increased powers of enforcement to hold landlords accountable more swiftly when proper protocols have been followed, promoting a timely resolution to disrepair matters.

3. **Assistance for Rehoming:** Authorities should play a more active role in accessing and assisting tenants with rehoming when landlords neglect necessary repairs. This assistance should be available before a court order is served to leave, ensuring prompt action to safeguard tenants' well-being.

**Why Sign?**

By signing this petition, you are advocating for fundamental changes that protect tenants' rights, encourage responsible landlord behaviour, and provide a safer and healthier living environment for all renters in the UK.

Let's unite for a rental market that prioritizes tenant well-being, accountability, and fair dispute resolution. Sign today to bring about the change our community deserves.

 

**our story**

 

Since 2017, we've been residing in a private sector property. Despite multiple repair requests to the landlords in 2019 and 2020, our pleas were ignored, leaving hazardous conditions unaddressed. In 2021, we reported the situation to environmental health, leading to a hazard awareness notice issued to the landlord with a compliance deadline of March 2022. Unfortunately, the landlord failed to comply, and environmental health provided no further updates.

 

Efforts to reopen the case with environmental health proved futile, prompting us to seek assistance from Rent Smart Wales, the Housing Ombudsman, and local representatives. The only breakthrough came when MP Jeremy Miles case worker intervened, leading to another assessment in September 2023. Despite assurances of action, an improvement notice issued to the landlord on December 7, 2023, with a scheduled work start date of January 8, 2024, has passed without any action.

 

The report outlines deadlines for various repairs, extending the resolution timeline to September 2024. This further delays authorities taking action, prolonging our stay in poor conditions, and the fight for our rights. Despite an open case with Rent Smart Wales since late 2022, they refuse to update us on the ongoing investigation . Local authorities, despite substantial evidence, have also delayed action.

 

Approaching social housing in the public sector yielded no assistance; they claimed inability since we are not technically homeless, even though our living conditions are substandard. Environmental health and public housing authorities advise against stopping rent, stating it would deem us homeless with intent.

 

Most people have asked why we just don't move out. As a family, we've reached a breaking point with the private sector. Having rented throughout our lives in the private sector, we're frustrated with landlords prioritizing their pockets over the rights and welfare of their tenants, and we refuse to move any longer in this sector.