Are My letting agents legally responsible for not looking after my house?

[Asterex]

Hi,
i am seeking advice over a cartain matter and would like to know if I have any rights.

I purchased a property in France coming up for 6 years ago. The immoblier I purhsed it from I use as my agent to rent it out and have remained loyal to them for the period I have owned the property. I have never slept in the property and hardly ever been inside. It is one house divided up into 4 appartments which are all rented out seperately but under the one title deed.

I came last year and undertook an inspection of the lower flat as it hadn't been rented out for a full year. I asked the agents for quotes regarding the painting, a new linoleum, cleaning as i wanted to get it rented out.

They replied that their is somethign wrong with the floor, therefore there is no point getting a quote for the new linoleum. I replied several times saying i wanted to know so i know how much the costings are going to be - they never replied.

I arrived two days ago to do some painting myself and on venturing down to the cellar i found the ground all muddy and one burst soil pipe which acts as the waste for all 4 appartments. Furthermore the joists are all mouldy and the floorboard are all weakening to the point that if it wasn't for the lino I fear my foot could have gone through.

My question is: Are the agents responsible for this? For are they not responsible for the management of the property and is it not their job to look after it properly? If they e-mailed me telling me 'something' was up with the floor, surely they should have inspected it and not waited for me to come over and inspect it and me notify them?

I would appreciate your advice over this.

Yours

Asterex

When you chose to use the immobilier company as letting agents you must have signed a contract setting out the terms and conditions of this collaboration, so this document should define the responsibilities of each party to it.

Secondly, you must have insurance cover for your property? Does this not cover the damage? If they are refusing cover, once again your contract with them needs examining.