Need some legal advice here please.
We are have been leasing a commercial property for 5 years.
Over this time, we've had numerous issues with windows leaking into our office area causing damage and inconvenience.
This has been advised to the landlord, who is self managing, rent is 100k PA.
Only recently, did someone come to apply some silicone to the windows, but it doesn't stop it.
About 6 weeks ago, we had some pretty heavy rain and a box gutter overflowed along a wall in our office and caused some pretty major internal flooding in the office, through to the downstairs warehouse.
All the ceiling tiles dropped out which made a huge mess.
The problem is, we have to claim on our insurance for contents, and his insurance only covers building, (only replace ceiling tiles).
Then it happened again yesterday morning, not as bad as the first time.
Box gutter sump was overflowing and 1 ceiling tile dropped out, but others were wet.
We made it clear to the landlord, who owns approximately 50 commercial properties, that we need it rectified urgently to avoid future problems.
Now, 5am this morning the place is absolutely flooded, it's like a waterfall flowing into our office area.
All the ceiling tiles have dropped out and they make a huge mess, over desks and lounges.
We can't operate our business like this.
Customers need access up the stairs and they are inaccessible.
I don't have the fine details of the lease, but what are our rights here?
I'm assuming we are not required to clean out box gutters 6m up on the roof.
I'm so sick of dealing with this, having to clean up a major mess everytime.
Landlord simply tries to pass the blame to strata company.
No maintenace in common areas ever gets done either.
Alot of my important paperwork was water damaged the first time, which took me a long time to get sorted out and replaced.
What are our rights here to some form of compensation, direct from the self managing landlord?
Can we with hold rental payments?
Should we seek legal advice to make a claim, which is my intention?
We want to stay in the premises, which has an ongoing lease.
Thanks
We are have been leasing a commercial property for 5 years.
Over this time, we've had numerous issues with windows leaking into our office area causing damage and inconvenience.
This has been advised to the landlord, who is self managing, rent is 100k PA.
Only recently, did someone come to apply some silicone to the windows, but it doesn't stop it.
About 6 weeks ago, we had some pretty heavy rain and a box gutter overflowed along a wall in our office and caused some pretty major internal flooding in the office, through to the downstairs warehouse.
All the ceiling tiles dropped out which made a huge mess.
The problem is, we have to claim on our insurance for contents, and his insurance only covers building, (only replace ceiling tiles).
Then it happened again yesterday morning, not as bad as the first time.
Box gutter sump was overflowing and 1 ceiling tile dropped out, but others were wet.
We made it clear to the landlord, who owns approximately 50 commercial properties, that we need it rectified urgently to avoid future problems.
Now, 5am this morning the place is absolutely flooded, it's like a waterfall flowing into our office area.
All the ceiling tiles have dropped out and they make a huge mess, over desks and lounges.
We can't operate our business like this.
Customers need access up the stairs and they are inaccessible.
I don't have the fine details of the lease, but what are our rights here?
I'm assuming we are not required to clean out box gutters 6m up on the roof.
I'm so sick of dealing with this, having to clean up a major mess everytime.
Landlord simply tries to pass the blame to strata company.
No maintenace in common areas ever gets done either.
Alot of my important paperwork was water damaged the first time, which took me a long time to get sorted out and replaced.
What are our rights here to some form of compensation, direct from the self managing landlord?
Can we with hold rental payments?
Should we seek legal advice to make a claim, which is my intention?
We want to stay in the premises, which has an ongoing lease.
Thanks