Q.
I live in a property in a close with six flats, of which three are rented from a social landlord, three are owned. Two flats have owner-occupiers living there and the other has a private tenant. We understood the close was to be painted but the owner occupiers voted against it. Their refusal means the work will not be carried out. Surely it can't be left like this?
A. Check the title deeds (you are a tenant but the deeds are relevant for your landlord's duties and rights).
They will have rules for doing repair and renewal work. If it is a question of a simple majority, and the work is not of an emergency nature you may struggle to get anything done.
Your landlords should be taking the initiative as they have a duty to you to ensure the amenity of the property is kept up. Check your lease to see what their duties are and keep on at them.
Q. I INSTALLED a kitchen for a customer. Is it legal for them to pass on details about the job to another person without my consent?
AUnless you sign customers up with some kind of confidentiality clause in a contract, they are free to tell the world what a good, bad or indifferent joiner you are – as long as they tell the truth. Indeed, any customer asked to sign would think there was something wrong.Remember, the job is their job, their kitchen.
Q. I have owned my house for four years. My partner was living in rented accommodation until six months ago and now lives with me. If we got married would she be entitled to half my house if we ever got divorced?
ANo. It was not bought as a matrimonial or a family home, so your partner has no right to it, even when you get married. It might be worth you getting a diagnostic consultation with a solicitor about all the financial implications of marriage. I believe all couples facing marriage should get information on how matrimonial law works on break-up. Sounds a bit negative, but better to be realistic in advance.
Q. After a car accident that was not my fault, my insurers say it is not economical to repair my car and it will be written off. I get the current market value, likely to be a lot less than I paid. Also, they are awaiting a response from the third party as to whether they will accept liability and if I can claim their insurance rather than my own, including £175 excess. The insurers suggested I could hire a car meantime and they MIGHT reimburse me.
ACheck your policy, it will dictate your cover. And if the accident was the other party's fault and they are insured, hire a car with some confidence you can claim it back from them.
Re your own car: in future when taking out a policy see if you can get cover (even if it costs a bit more) to ensure you get the best payout for a written-off car.
The moral for ALL policy purchasers is: negotiate hard, and read everything before you sign.