No hot water - Where do I stand?

2bwithdwp

Okay - Im renting and am three months into my 6 months lease.

My immersion heater was and has been causing a loud disturbing noise from about two weeks ago. So I turned it off and therefore have been without hot water for the last two weeks. The technician came out today (took time off work for this) and told me that the there is a faulty pressure vessel causing it to over pressurise. He instructed me to not turn on the hot water. The solution? To have the whole thing replaced which I of course expect and hope the landlord to take care of.

BUT, that leaves me with out hot water for another heaven knows how many weeks. Whats worse is now the bathroom drain is clogged so I cant even have a COLD shower:mad:

Where do I stand? What are my options?

Another thing that upsets me is that the cost of heating this water is expensive (as its heated up by electricity) and have been losing the hot water. All that money for heating the water, down the drain...so to speak.

Your help is appreciated!!!

new_home_owner_3

just phone your landlord and explain the situation and ask him if he can sort it out asap.

im a landlord and i try and sort any problems out asap, you wil get the odd landlord that doesnt care, but most want their tenants to be happy.

Just be straight with your landlord he will probably be upset you havent told him how you feel.

Svenena

Did you tell the landlord about this (in writing) when the problem first arose a couple of weeks ago?

You could probably unclog the drain yourself in order to have a cold shower. Buy a cheap plunger and/or some drain unclogger.

Riq

In a cold shower?

Jowo_2

If the bathroom drain you refer to is an internal one and has been clogged by your own hair and not by a defect in the pipe, for example, you could be liable for the costs associated with clearing it. If you think it is due to a build up of biological matter and toiletries, buy a plunger or one of those long,thin flexible pipe unblockers from a pound shop and have a bash. I don't know if it's an old wifey's tale but a pal tells me sometimes a can of coke poured down a sink or bath can unblock some pipes.

The Shelter website is very source of information for tenants on how to deal with slow or no repairs by a landlord.

BitterAndTwisted

If it's not hair the blockage could be cleared by a good dose of washing soda followed by a kettle of boiling water.

OP, have you tried discussing the lack of hot water with your landlord yet?

2bwithdwp

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

If it's not hair the blockage could be cleared by a good dose of washing soda followed by a kettle of boiling water.

OP, have you tried discussing the lack of hot water with your landlord yet?

Thanks for the suggestions. I notified them of the hot water problem about two weeks ago. They put me intouch with a technician who couldnt come out until today. Hence the long wait. Now though, it could be another long wait for hot water because the tank has to be replaced (so they say) so another week or so with no hot water.

The drain, ..oh bother, I think it might be from my hair. So I guess Im paying for that one. Then,...I will shave my head:T

Jowo_2

2bwithdwp wrote: »

The drain, ..oh bother, I think it might be from my hair. So I guess Im paying for that one. Then,...I will shave my head:T

This can be remedied yourself for a quid and will hopefully save you a plumbers fee of £50+ that notifies the landlord that it was caused by tenant behaviour rather than a defect in the infrastructure.

The general rule of thumb is that a tenant is responsible for the costs associated with damage caused by their behaviour, negligent use or accidental damage, for example.

Some tenants are surprised when they have reported mould and then been presented with the costs associated with remedying the damage because its been traced to their failure to adequately heat and ventilate the property, for example.

By all means report all issues by phone but Shelter recommend that a tenant keeps good records and so always follow it up in writing, keeping a copy.

neverdespairgirl

Buy some of that drain de-clogger. Works well.

Jowo_2

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

Buy some of that drain de-clogger. Works well.

I went for the more eco friendly, less hazardous option, though a drain snake or plunger requires a bit of elbow grease - some of those drain cleaners are toxic and will burn skin if the instructions aren't followed.

And while you are at the pound shop, buy a little drain guard to pop over the plug hole to catch the hair.

tbs624

2bwithdwp wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions. I notified them of the hot water problem about two weeks ago. They put me intouch with a technician who couldnt come out until today. Hence the long wait. Now though, it could be another long wait for hot water because the tank has to be replaced (so they say) so another week or so with no hot water.

Always, always report repairs issues in writing and keep a copy. Your LL has specific obligations on space/water heating: you should not simply be left without hot water. If there is a delay in fixing the problem then the LL should hire a water heater from HSS or similar. If you need to remind the LL of what he should be doing here's s11 from the LL&T Act 1985

11 Repairing obligations in short leases

(1)In a lease to which this section applies (as to which, see sections 13 and 14) there is implied a covenant by the lessor—

(a)to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling-house (including drains, gutters and external pipes),
(b)to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling-house for the supply of water, gas and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences, but not other fixtures, fittings and appliances for making use of the supply of water, gas or electricity), and
(c)to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling-house for space heating and heating water.

2bwithdwp wrote: »

The drain, ..oh bother, I think it might be from my hair. So I guess Im paying for that one. Then,...I will shave my head:T

keeping the drains clear from loose hair and soap gunge etc is part of what is called "tenant-like behaviour", iie to be reasonably expected of you .

After this repair bod has been , write to the LL and say something like "following on from my initial phone report to you about the hot water/immersion heater on (date) Bloggs and Co have been out today and tell me that they will be unable to repair it until (date) . I have already been without hot water for 2 weeks so would you please arrange to hire a temporary water boiler for me, at your expense."

Any probs , talk to the private sector rentals officer at the local Council.