Renting\Problems with property\Who is responsible?

Dexter08

Hi,
We had a situation recently (last week) where it was agreed with the LL and the developers of the property (new build flat) that we would be out of the flat for 2 days as they would have to rescreed the floor in the lounge\kitchen as due to the washing machine waste pipe not being plumbed in correctly when we moved in there was problems with the Amtico flooring lifting and it bubbling.

On the same day my fiance (we just got engaged three days before) was due to have an operation on her nose and would be staying overnight in hospital.

Well to my horror I came home on the Wednesday to find all the flooring removed and that they said the whole flooring had to come up and not just the small areas that were affected. All of our stuff was heaped into the bedroom and everything was a mess. I didn't panic and spoke to the site manager who said that they wouldn't be able to get any flooring down til at the best the next Tuesday.

Over the course of the next 7 days we have had to stay at my fiances' parents who have kindly fed, washed and ironed for us and looked after us.

My issue is that we would like to claim some form of compensation for this as we were out of our home for 7 nights all in all and it isn't fair, my fiance had to come home to her parents and was without all of her personal stuff and I spent the next 5 days coming and going to our flat when and where we could to get clothes and personal belongings.

To top it all off the flowers that we were kindly bought from family and friends have been ruined do to an industrial size dumidifier being brought in to dry out out the flooring, they were totally ruined.

This has all been so disruptive at a time when my fiance needed her home and her comforts around her. I feel we lost our home and when we went back to the property last night it doesn't feel like home anymore.

I don't want lots of money just a fair compensation for the ordeal.

Any LL's that could help that have had similar situations would ge gratefully receieved.

Many thanks, rather tired and worn out young man.

Thanks for reading..

MoneySavingSpender

Logs, testimonials, pictures, gather as much evidence as possible, then write to the head of the people responsible for all that mentioning trading standards, police and the council

mlz1413

It sounds like the repair wasn't explained fully or that the repair was more extensive than originally thought and you weren't warned or asked if the extra days would be acceptable at that point.

For a repair to turn from 2 days to 7 is a big jump and not many people would be able to move out for such a period with no notice, so I think you have a case for some reimbursment here.

Piling your stuff in the bedroom without notifying you is wrong - you should have been asked to do this beforehand, warned beforehand it would need doing or a very least consulted before it was done (giving you time to get out clothes, flowers and other items)

On the flower front without the dehumidifier you would probably have been out longer, or the heating would have to have been put on full blast or the windows left open 24hr a day until dry so I think that is not something you can claim for but is probably just the final straw for you.

Re your partner having an op, you knew that when you agreed to be out so that's not really the builders problem. As for it not feeling like your home anymore, your tired, fed up and right now is not the best time to be feeling good about anything. Give yourselves a bit of time to put everything back where it was and take stock in a few weeks time.


Put your complaint in writing, hand delv or recorded delv it and see what reply is.

Dexter08

It's funny that you should say that about the heating as when we came in it was set to 27 on the digital thermostat..!!

I just feel like it's a bit of a liberty really, they way that it was done and that as a result we will pay for the gas to run for the flooring to be dried for four days and for the duhimidifier to be running as well on the electric.

We have had nothing but problems with the property since we moved in.

Bathroom leaks, curtains and drapes ruined by the doors leaking, it's all adding up and costing me money, time, patience and effort and it all starts to wear a little thin really.

Thank you all for your replies.

Sorry to go on..!!

zebulon

mlz1413 wrote: »

Re your partner having an op, you knew that when you agreed to be out so that's not really the builders problem.

that's what I first thought but actually the work was supposed to be 2 days, with here staying at hospital for the 1 night, so it seemed quite good.
the problem is that they were expecting to be home again after the 2 days, not out for 7...

Dexter08

Zeboulin, yes that's what I meant, sorry for any confusion..

Dexter 08

mlz1413

zebulon I agree but in answer to Dexter's question I just don't think compension would be due for it.

Dexter re leaks spoiling your curtains etc did you claim on the leaseholders insurance for this, or even on your own insurance? I had a bathroom ceiling come down in a flat due to a long term slow leak from the flat above that they were not aware of, I rang the management company to see what the procedure was and they sent me out insurance claims forms and paid the builders direct to replace ceiling, make good the area and replace the carpet that was ruined.

I think maybe you are accepting too many things, get on to management company and complain! If they are not aware of badly fitting doors and windows then they should be and they should be fixed pronto.

Dexter08

mlz1413, we we told to have the curtains cleaned and then we would be reimbursed for this but as of yet we haven't seen a penny.

We also had a situation where we had to come home as there was a suspected problem with the boiler and I am self employed and had to take the day off and they still haven't paid out on this either, that was 6 weeks ago.

It's all just aggravation.

Premier_2

Dexter08 wrote: »

...I don't want lots of money just a fair compensation for the ordeal.

Any LL's that could help that have had similar situations would ge gratefully receieved.
..

I understand what a nightmare this has been, especially with your finacee having to go into hospital and only having just moved into the apartment.

As the inconvienence caused has been much greater than originally anticipated, why not contact the LL and see if he would agree to a refund of 7 days rent?

I think it's only fair that you are not charged for the property during the period it's not been available to you. Unfortunately as you have no official receipts for alternative accomodation since your kind finacees parents housed you during that time, you haven't incurred any identifiable losses.

I doubt you'll get any financial compensation from the developer; your contract is with the LL. The developer is only liable to the owner (i.e your LL) for any errors made during the construction.

Premier_2

Dexter08 wrote: »

mlz1413, we we told to have the curtains cleaned and then we would be reimbursed for this but as of yet we haven't seen a penny.

We also had a situation where we had to come home as there was a suspected problem with the boiler and I am self employed and had to take the day off and they still haven't paid out on this either, that was 6 weeks ago.

It's all just aggravation.

Was it the LL who agreed to having the curtains cleaned? Have you submitted the receipt to him yet? Ask the LL nicely when you should expect to receive this refund. (you could always deduct it from next months rent if he doesn't give you an answer - explaining in full the reason for the deduction)

You won't get paid out for a days wages, unless the LL specifically agreed to this in advance. It's aggravation, yes, but did you want the boiler repaired? If you don't want the aggravation associated with renting, buy your own place then you won't have anyone to claim against when the boiler breaks - just nursing the headache of how to pay for the repair itself!

zippygeorgeandben

Keep us informed of any developments Dexter08 and good luck.

Try not to let these incidents get you down too much, and don't take it out on your fiancee!!

Ben