Blocked Toilet in Rented Property

cheap_charlie

I moved into a rented house on Thursday and the toilet is blocked.

The plumber came round yesterday and despite plunging for about 15 minutes is of the mind the drain is blocked.

The bathroom was redone before I moved in and for the plumber to access the drain to see if there is a blockage will mean he will have to remove several large tiles and he obviously has to check with the landlord to see if he can do that due to the expense involved.

He suspects that the people who did up the bathroom have flushed stuff down the toilet they shouldn't have (my wheelie bin is full of refuse left behind from the tilers certainly).

The problem is that nothing is flushing away now and it's going to be like this for at least another 24 hours (who am I kidding - at least 48) and it's unsanitary.

The water level is going down but none of the "contents" are going away leaving me in an entirely unsanitary situation as there is only one toilet in the house.

Do I have any rights regarding getting this fixed sooner rather than later? I live in the house with my 13 year old daughter who is autistic and it would help to be forewarned of any obligation the landlord is under to fix this ASAP.

FYI the landlord lets out through an agent.

sequence

Remove the toilet and it contents, send it via recorded next day delivery to your landlord.

No seriously, I think you're just going to have to wait :eek:
He should be able to get an emergency plumber/drain un blocker out, even on a sunday?

cheap_charlie

The plumber said he would have to wait to speak to the agent to "clear" going ahead with the work as it's an expensive job.

He said the only other alternative was probably Dyno-Rod but again this would have to be "approved" by the agent/landlord.

In fairness the plumber did say he would phone the agent first thing on Monday and get back to me then but if the agent tries to drag their heels I'd like to know if I have any rights here.

Catbells

There's a product called 'One Shot' which you can buy at some home care shops. It'll clear your toilet and is easy to use. Just don't breath in the fumes - its very strong.

tyllwyd

Catbells wrote: »

There's a product called 'One Shot' which you can buy at some home care shops. It'll clear your toilet and is easy to use. Just don't breath in the fumes - its very strong.

No no no - if the toilet is blocked with rubbish from building work, chemicals won't clear it, and it will mean the plumber would have to try to work on the blockage with nasty chemicals sitting there.

If there is only one toilet I'd probably head off to a b&b until its fixed and try to claim the money back off the landlord, but obviously you would take the risk that you wouldn't get it back.

VfM4meplse

Doesn't this count as an emergency? - is there any reason that the agent cannot be contacted on an out of hours number? You cannot be expected to live with this situation and the letting agent should be able to tell you whether work can progress asap or that costs assoocited with alternative arrangements will be covered. Do advise of the plumber's suspicions so that the landlord is aware that the problem may have been caused by his own shoddy workmen.

Catbells

tyllwyd wrote: »

No no no - if the toilet is blocked with rubbish from building work, chemicals won't clear it, and it will mean the plumber would have to try to work on the blockage with nasty chemicals sitting there.

If there is only one toilet I'd probably head off to a b&b until its fixed and try to claim the money back off the landlord, but obviously you would take the risk that you wouldn't get it back.

Sorry - didn't realise it was builders rubble. Your place is uninhabitable as it stands. See if you can manage til Monday - pubs, cafes, friends etc and by the sounds of it the plumber will be round Monday morning.

I should ask for rental rebate for the period you were inconvenienced.

clutton_2

As a LL i consider this an emergency... it puts the tenants at risk under H&S regs, and under HHSRS regs - if the LA does not get someone out on Monday to at least attempt to rod the drains (which may give at least a temporary clearance of the "contents" ) - then as a tenant i would email the agent and say that you are getting an emergency company out and will be deducting their fee from the rent....

A drain company may charge £100ish to put a camera down to find out where the blockage actually is, then another amount to actually to rod the blockage...

Dont use Dynorod - way too expensive.. find a small local firm out of yellow pages if you cannot get a reccomendation from someone local...

If there are any trees or big shrubs nearby then if roots are part of the problem the LL can claim on their insurance....

theartfullodger

I agree with Clutton.. indeed I'd go further & suggest (if you can bear it..) that you don't do the Landlord's job for him but "dump" (sorry) the problem on him & agent 1st thing Monday.

Hopefully it's just one of those things that happens, not anything they knew about, but gorra be fixed very quick for you..

You have an address for Landlord?? (If not rent is not due..). Write/email today to him & agent, keep copies, obviously...

Hope they don't just go through the motions.. (even more sorry)

Cheers!

Lodger

olly300

Your property is actually uninhabitable without a toilet.

Any reasonable landlord would actually get this sorted out over the weekend. They also would have given you a booklet with numbers or a contact number to get things sorted out in an emergency.

As you have a child and one with disabilities I suggest you get proper advice immediately call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 They are open until 5pm today and are open at 8am tomorrow. Their lines will be busy but I suggest you keep trying.

cheap_charlie

Thanks for all your replies.

I have a plunger/drain blocker which I tried to use to no avail (but much mess) so I ended up calling the plumber again. I was a bit upset (as you can imagine) and he, to his credit, called the agent on his out of hours number and has got the go ahead to come round today and clear it regardless of cost.

I really appreciate your responses - I felt this was one of those things which reasonably couldn't wait till the next day and I feel reassured now I did the right thing in reporting it again this morning.