Hi there
We have an accommodation business in a 3 storey historical building, which we lease. We have 4 years to go before 'right of renewal'.
Since we arrived the building has leaked - into two bedrooms and a hall way. There is also a crack in a bathroom on the middle floor which drips water into our office if someone showering does not use a shower curtain.
We live in the basement apartment, which we recently started to re-paint. The painter alerted us to water damage of the sub-terrainian walls and advised that the paint will not stick until the walls have been sealed. We had an engineer do an assessment and two rooms of the apartment have been described as 'un-inhabitable' due to mold spores and water readings.
The landlord has consistently told us that his basic responsibility is to provide us with a water-proof box. However, he is not willing to seal the walls, fix the roof or the leaking bathroom floor. He thinks the cost is ours.
On top of this he wants to put the rent up. We already pay above market value and will fight any increase.
We have been offered a better property for less rent and would like to move.
Does anyone think we have grounds to cancel this lease given the leaks and water damage?
We have an accommodation business in a 3 storey historical building, which we lease. We have 4 years to go before 'right of renewal'.
Since we arrived the building has leaked - into two bedrooms and a hall way. There is also a crack in a bathroom on the middle floor which drips water into our office if someone showering does not use a shower curtain.
We live in the basement apartment, which we recently started to re-paint. The painter alerted us to water damage of the sub-terrainian walls and advised that the paint will not stick until the walls have been sealed. We had an engineer do an assessment and two rooms of the apartment have been described as 'un-inhabitable' due to mold spores and water readings.
The landlord has consistently told us that his basic responsibility is to provide us with a water-proof box. However, he is not willing to seal the walls, fix the roof or the leaking bathroom floor. He thinks the cost is ours.
On top of this he wants to put the rent up. We already pay above market value and will fight any increase.
We have been offered a better property for less rent and would like to move.
Does anyone think we have grounds to cancel this lease given the leaks and water damage?
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