How much rent reduction when lift is not working?

Leory

I dont like lifts, can i ask my landlord for a reduction because i dont use it?

drc

Sorry but I disagree. If she has rented the property partly because it has a lift (whether she is lazy or not is irrelevant) and the lift is now not working, then I think the landlord should give her a rent reduction. I wouldn't be happy if I had specifically rented a property because it had a specific feature (for which I was paying more for) and when that feature stopped working, the landlord refused to compensate me in any way.

I would ask for a reduction of 5-10% off the monthly rent until the lift is fixed.

paul1964_2

drc wrote: »

I wouldn't be happy if I had specifically rented a property because it had a specific feature (for which I was paying more for) and when that feature stopped working, the landlord refused to compensate me in any way.

I agree. It is amazing that so many people on a "money saving" website find it is acceptable for a business to provide a partial service and still expect full payment.

Jowo_2

So all social housing tenants get a rebate if there are interruptions to the services they receive?

penguingirl

drc wrote: »

I wouldn't be happy if I had specifically rented a property because it had a specific feature (for which I was paying more for) and when that feature stopped working, the landlord refused to compensate me in any way.

I would ask for a reduction of 5-10% off the monthly rent until the lift is fixed.

All you'd then need to do is find another 9-19 items (depending if you went for 5/10%) that were also 'essential' and break them and you could live rent free!

Seriously I think a broken lift is one of those things to be expected (just like I know that inevitably there are days when my car will break down)- I think I'd focus on asking the LL when it's going to be fixed etc. and if it started to happen regularly then I'd whinge about their maintainance/ servicing. It is unlikely that the LL is the person holding it up (presumably it is whoever is responsible for building maintainance) so withholding rent from the LL is not going to get it fixed any quicker!

ztan

Spot on Penguingirl.

Sammy85_2

Its an inconvenience to your friend and im sure it would annoy most people having to walk up 4 flight of stairs having being used to catching the lift, but if the landlord is doing something about it then your friend should be thankful for that. There are plently of landlords who take far longer to sort out more urgent issues than a lift.

I dont imagine its a quick job to replace a lift either. Probably takes time to get an engineer out, then he umms and ahhs at it, then he has a go at fixing it, then decides its broken beyond repair, then orders a new one. Doubt its something you just pick up from the local supply yard, probably a few weeks lead time on getting one.

I would ask the LL how long it will be out of action for.

As to how much of a reduction you get... how much of the flat has your friend been unable to use?

Doozergirl

drc wrote: »

I wouldn't be happy if I had specifically rented a property because it had a specific feature (for which I was paying more for) and when that feature stopped working, the landlord refused to compensate me in any way.

I would ask for a reduction of 5-10% off the monthly rent until the lift is fixed.

You choose to rent a flat because of the lift outside?!

Surely you choose the flat because it's nice and fits budget, and the lift is then a convenience. I don't choose to buy a house because it has stairs. They are helpful though.

Saying that, I rented a house once and when we moved in it really did have no stairs! And we didn't pay rent until they were fitted but we couldn't physically live in it. All our belongings were downstairs and it was impossible to move. The landlord treated us like she was doing us a favour by installing them.

pimento

Jowo wrote: »

So all social housing tenants get a rebate if there are interruptions to the services they receive?

When we lived on the top floor of a tower block (10th) and the council replaced the lift, we had to walk from the 8th floor (where the other lift stopped) for about three months.

We did get a rent rebate while the work was going on.

I used to come back from Tesco with six or seven bags of shopping and have to bring them up the final four flights of stairs taking two or three trips.

It couldn't be helped.

neverdespairgirl

goldbyron wrote: »

Erm I am on the second floor in a conversion. No lift. Unless there is a major health implication...he is not entitled to any reduction. Think of all those tower blocks across the land where lifts are out of action and women with prams and shopping have to struggle to get to the 18th floor.

That's not a relevant comparison. The OP's mate is paying for a flat with lift access, not an 18th floor tower block flat.