Can i reclaim plumbing costs?

Shim80

I live in ground floor leasehold flat. My toilet has been blocked for 2 weeks and draining very slowly for 2 weeks. I tried plunging and using an auger and couldn't unblock my toilet. Also water started pooling in the soil outside my flat leading me to think it was the drain outside. I share a soil pipe with two flats above me. I called the management company last wed telling them the problem. The guy on the phone said he'd get a drain company to sort it straight away. Anyway i went away for a few days and got back last night to find toilet still blocked but now not draining. Called management company but no answer. By late afternoon i really needed to use the loo and the toilet was filled to the top with water so i decided to call a plumber. The plumber confirmed the drain outside was blocked with baby wipes. I was so desperate for a functioning loo i paid the £95 fee for him to clear it. My question is do you think i'll be able to claim money back from management co as they didn't get someone out and clear it or do you guys think i'll get in trouble for using an unauthorised plumber? Thanks

Fire_Fox

Did you contact the management company in writing at any stage even if via e-mail? Did you get the name of the person you spoke to last Wednesday? If not you must do so now, and send the letter recorded delivery detailing your efforts to contact the management company. Do you have an invoice for the money you paid out detailing that the blockage was in the communal drain outside your flat?

Shim80

I didn't put anything in writing. Just took the guy on the phone's word for it that it would be sorted same day, i didn't take his name. I have got a detailed invoice from plumber though.

Fire_Fox

Never take anyone's word for it! All complaints should be detailed in writing by recorded delivery, barring emergencies in which case you should keep note of the time and date of each attempted contact, take a name when you get through, then follow up in writing if at all possible. Do you have an itemised phone bill?

I wouldn't contemplate getting into trouble, I'd focus on getting your money back if possible. I am assuming you are the leaseholder in which case your service charges pay for this management company to act upon problems with the property quickly and efficiently. My letter to them would not simply ask for a refund, I'd be questioning the poor service - offensive not defensive.

Welcome to MSE by the way!

clutton_2

if you have it in writing that the blockage was caused by baby wipes and there is only one baby in the flats, i would talk to that flat about the costs.....