The following is relevant to the law in England and Wales only as I know precious little ablout scottish law.
This woman could be in trouble here. Non-payment of rent will, almost certainly, put her in breach of her tenancy agreement and could lead to eviction. Rent maybe withheld in certain circumstances, i.e. where the landlord fails in his repairing obligations and the tenant carries out the repairs himself and sets-off the amount against the due rent. Or, where the lease is frustrated, but, the frustrating event must be extreme preventing any substantial use being made of the premises under the terms of the lease.
If she is being deprived of quiet enjoyment then she might have a claim against the landlord but this cannot be pursued by withholding rent. However, landlords have traditionally only been held liable for acts committed by his other tenants where those acts have been lawful.
Excessive noise, for example has not previously made a landlord liable. However, my housing law knowledge is not bang up to date so that situation might have changed recently She requires specialist-housing advice immediately.
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