Landlord refusing to repair toilet...

sjkani

Thank you s.s.nurse - got a 4 page log of all the problems since day 1 which hopefully will make things easier as I suspect the agents admin is, in fact, Badmin!

sjkani

Cheers Kavanne - good idea, especially with a toddler who can now reach into the bowl!

Lifeplan

I just don't get it when LL can't be bothered to take good care of their investment.
Well, the bucket looks like the best idea for now. I had a problem similar once, i had to consult CAB, who referred me to the environmental department. The ED came within 24 hours and they took the situation on immediately by forcing the LL to act. The whole legal side lasted a couple of weeks, i was advised to move, which i did, and the ED red taped the property until further repairs.

My advice for you is to keep record of everything, it might be a good idea to let your LL be aware that you are keeping these records. Intimidation is just downright unlawful.

I wish you good luck with all this.

sjkani

Many thanks Lifeplan - sorry to hear that similar happened to you!

gnvqsos

sjkani wrote: »

Thanks zaphod - good tips to try & I might do the first one (when my 2yr old is back at nursery!) The problem is with the toilet fitting, modern toilet too low to the floor for the old cast iron casing - the repair is for the toilet to be raised on a plinth (sp)...thats my basic understanding of it.

The previous tenant was in fact, the landlady herself - still probably put unmentionables down it though!

I would suggest that the new toilet pan should have been raised on a plinth as suggested by another.This would mean that gravity was working with you not against.Newer fittings tend to be lower and amateur plumbers do not know how to remedy this situation.
You should be careful when trying to remove any obstacles and do not overfill with water as you may have to remove at a later date.An old-fashioned plunger may be the best option.You do have my sympathy.I let a couple of houses and as a small landlord I resent the attitude shown by yours.Some seem reluctant to spend any money on the properties.They remind me of poor entrepreneurs who try to compensate for their failings by paying poor wages and conucting dangerous employment practices.
I know the landlord should be rectifying the problem but in your case you may need to try to sort it yourself.You might want to save any bills etc. for labour and /or materials and deduct these from the landlords portion of your deposit.It might be worth finding out if they have lodged your funds as required by law.If not you mighrt report the oversight

roses

Are you sure you aren't using too much toilet paper? Mine flushes ok when I use it but when I had my cousin to stay, she used half a bog roll per visit causing 3 or 4 flushes to get rid of all the paper.

What happens when you put down 3-4 sheets of toilet paper? Does it all go down then?

zaphod_beeblebrox_2

When on the throne reading the Daily Mail, one must be careful not to throw the odd ‘butt end’ or two in the pan just in case

Sainsbury’s bog roll is thinner than most and I have to double it up to get a good wipe, regardless, I’m careful not to put too much down

I don’t see the raised plinth thing, this toilet has worked OK in the past so why not now?

Surely (as mentioned above) pouring cleansing stuff down the throne will clear it

Hammer it with chemicals that’s the tally-ho spirit what!

LandyAndy

sjkani wrote: »

Thank you s.s.nurse - got a 4 page log of all the problems since day 1 which hopefully will make things easier as I suspect the agents admin is, in fact, Badmin!

That is one big flush problem;) .

Joking aside, I agree with poppysarah that you should use the Council private sector people to put a suitable rocket under your LL

mswannabe_2

sjkani wrote: »

Since moving into a rented house on 24/11/08 the toilet has not 'removed' all waste - takes 3 or 4 flushes, and usually a bit of 'help' (won't upset anyone with the details) After hours & weeks of calls and a stern complaint letter the agents got a plumber out but Landlord has refused to repair, citing cost as too much. Letting Agent has suggested they can do no more & to repair ourselves and claim for costs in small claims court. Surely this breaches the shorthold tenancy obligations of the landlord regarding 'proper working order' of sanitation?

I'd love to be witholding rent but (unwisely in retrospect) paid 6 months up front...oh, might aswell mention that landlords 'friends' have been coming around intimidating us (this is not our only repair issue) and now Landlord herself is threatening to come to the property next weekend to 'see the problem'...I'm off to CAB in the morning to see about taking it further.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Your landlord has a duty of care to keep his/her property habitable in terms with your tenancy agreement. Don't be intimidated, know your rights and fight for them. The cost of repairs of this kind must be made by the landlord. Bad landlords give the rest of us a terrible reputation:mad: . If you have no luck, give your notice to quit citing that your landlord is in breech of your tenancy agreement. Threaten to go to small claims. You will be entitled to compensation for landlord not carrying out the repairs - see here for more info. Good luck;)
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_rights/legal_system/small_claims.htm#Types_of_case_dealt_with_in_the_small_cl

PasturesNew

My parents' loo's a bit tricky if one's spent some time in there. To prevent it appearing like it's about to overflow when flushed, I've adopted a policy of flushing half way through my visit. This works. Is it something you can think about? Minimising what you're asking the flush to do ...

I tried to type that with decorum