My husband and myself in the last week moved into a flat. We checked the condition of the flat prior to signing the contract - but today we noticed that a stained glass panel on the front door is secured by tape (!) and the window panels, which hadn't been cleaned in the last decade, are completely rotted and fell apart in the my hands. In addition, the hot water takes 10 minutes to come through to our shower and we're worried about how this will affect the water/gas bills. I am concerned as when we first viewed the property, we requested that a segment of the tiles of the bath be re-sealed - but when we returned on our moving day, saw that a builder had slapped on some pollyfiller and left it to dry - very haphazardly. So, while we have requested the windows and door to be repaired, I am concerned that the same cowboy-builder will do a half-baked job to keep the owners costs down. Is there a way we can surrender the rental contract and move out? Is there a 'cooling off' period with rental contracts? I'm quite disgusted that the property could get as run down as it is, and really don't want any more to do with the inidividuals who allowed it to be in this state.
Also, the owner of the property recently died. The letting agents, while arranged for us to move in, are not yet sure if they are reponsible for the management of the property. Our rental contact was made out on behalf of a company which I presume is the company owned by the deceased owner and I also presume that his assets etc. are now going through probate. Is it possible that the contract may not even be valid therefore?