Landlord not paying plumber - advice please

mouche

This is the story so far - our shower stopped working in March and we have been chasing our landlord to get it fixed. After a couple of failed attempts, he finally sent in a plumber who did the job at the end of July.

The plumber called us a couple of times after that saying he'd tried to get in touch with the landlord for his payment but wasn't able to contact him. We gave him all the other contact information we had for the landlord but he still hasn't been able to contact him. The plumber says if he isn't paid, he'll have to remove the fittings he put in and take them away. :eek:
We are trying to contact the landlord ourselves (by text, phone and email) but no reply so far. What are our alternatives if we can't reach him? Can we deduct the amount from the rent and pay the plumber ourselves?

creditboy

I would send a letter recorded delivery to the LL telling them you intend to pay the plumber by reducing the rent etc... There are probably right and wrong ways of going about this and Im sure someone with a bit more knowledge will advise.

tek-monkey

Stop your DD, he'll call you.

freightexec2009

If you can't contact him, that is something that I would suggest. It is his sole responsibility yet what would the difference make by you paying and deducting from the rent. He would have to pay anyway. Maybe suggest that you look over your contract first or maybe seek additional advice before doing so?
Because the last thing you would want is arrears on rent if he then states he never agreed to the work?

silvercar

Don't get involved. The contract was between the plumber and the landlord, nothing to do with you. I certainly wouldn't deduct rent money to pay the landlord's bills. The plumber has no right of access to gain entry to remove fittings. The plumber needs to contact the landlord direct and decide for himself whether to go to court to pursue the landlord for the outstanding money. Don't let the plumber make you the go between.

jenny74

silvercar wrote: »

Don't get involved. The contract was between the plumber and the landlord, nothing to do with you. I certainly wouldn't deduct rent money to pay the landlord's bills. The plumber has no right of access to gain entry to remove fittings. The plumber needs to contact the landlord direct and decide for himself whether to go to court to pursue the landlord for the outstanding money. Don't let the plumber make you the go between.

Silvercar is right 100% .. DO NOT under ANY circumstances pay the plumber. as Silvercar said, the contract does not involve you as the Landlord employed him. Do not answer the door to the plumber if he comes round, and certainly don't let him come in and remove fittings. He has no right to enter your home to do so.

Good luck

Jenny

RobertoMoir

silvercar wrote: »

Don't get involved. The contract was between the plumber and the landlord, nothing to do with you. I certainly wouldn't deduct rent money to pay the landlord's bills. The plumber has no right of access to gain entry to remove fittings. The plumber needs to contact the landlord direct and decide for himself whether to go to court to pursue the landlord for the outstanding money. Don't let the plumber make you the go between.

Agreed. I really do sympathise with the plumber here, as does everyone else I'm sure, but their problems are not the OP's problems when all is said and done.

mouche

Thanks for all your advice. The plumber was a proper gent and went to a lot of trouble to get the job done properly so it's a shame he's getting treated like this. Will it be illegal for me to give the plumber the landlord's address?

real1314

mouche wrote: »

Thanks for all your advice. The plumber was a proper gent and went to a lot of trouble to get the job done properly so it's a shame he's getting treated like this. Will it be illegal for me to give the plumber the landlord's address?

Not at all illegal. You could also tell the plumber how much rent you pay and he could use this if he went to court. You could even state that if the court wished, you would be prepared to pay the money from the rent on their direction. But you don't have to do any of that. It's up to you.

DVardysShadow

mouche wrote: »

Thanks for all your advice. The plumber was a proper gent and went to a lot of trouble to get the job done properly so it's a shame he's getting treated like this. Will it be illegal for me to give the plumber the landlord's address?

Quite reasonable for you to give the address, but dumb of the plumber to take the instruction without knowing the Landlord's address.

franklee

How long have you been trying to reach the landlord for? Only I don't like the sound of not being able to get in touch, what if anything else goes wrong. I'd suggest you back up text, phone messages and email with a confirmation letter in the post to the address you were given for service of notices as that is the official route you have, keeping copies.

Now you be a good time to write saying what's happened with being asked for the payment, that you haven't had replies and how can that be improved.