Rented Property Issue - Washing Machine Water Leak

Scho

Hi Guys,

Need some advice on a rental property I've just moved into.

I've has a leak from the hose that connects the cold water to the washing machine and has put a reasonable damp patch in the kitchen carpet and looks like it's wet the conrete below it as well as being completely wet with water on the concretesurface under the other half which is lino.
I've turned off the valve to the washer and it seems to have stopped the leak for now(I think - can't detect any water leaking from the kitchen taps or drains). I've called, text and emailed the landlord the details but have had no response.

The leak appears to have resulted from the landlord using 2 hoses to connect the water to the washer; the leak was coming from the join in the 2 hoses which was at the top and back of the cupboard under the sink. I think it may have started on Saturday when I first used the machine, however I and anyone who helped me move in haven't touched the pipes or the valve to the washer.
I have tried to mop the water up a bit with a load of kitchen towel and I've got a small oil radiator in there as well as turned the heating up but is this enough?

Luckily, I sorted my insurance sharpish when I moved and do have home emergency cover. Is it worth calling them though as it's not a flood and I believe I've stopped it?
Also, am I technically liable for this? As the washer was there when I moved in and all I did was use the machine, could this result to the blame being placed on me even though it seems to have been a bodge job on the hosing?

Any help and advice would be appreciated!

corbyboy

If the washing machine and all the fittings were supplied by the landlord then they are responsible for getting this fixed and cleaning up after it.

I am not sure home emergency cover would cover this either.

You need to let the landlord know as soon as possible.

And carpet in the kithcen? How do you keep it clean?

G_M

If the water is off, there's no urgency. You can live without a w. machine for a bit, so just wait and see what the LL says and does. But put your report about it to him in writing. Yup! A letter.

Hopefully he'll pop round and fix the hose, or even send a plumber.

What does your contract say about maintenance of the washing machine? Your responsibility? or landlord's? or silent?

S.11 of Landlord & Tenant Act 1985. (it is the landlord's responsibility......)
(a) to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling, including drains, gutters and external pipes,
(b) to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling for the supply of water, gas, 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 installation in the dwelling for space heating and heating water.

LL is statutorily responsible for electricity/water supply, but not equipment using them; L therefore has responsibility for such equipment only if AST imposes it contractually. However this might include implicit contractual obligation if the AST is silent, by virtue of the item being on the inventory.

Scho

Thanks for the advise. Luckily, the landlord was spot on with this.

He got a plumber round and fixed the issue within a few days of me letting him know (and called to ask permission to go in and do it which is always a good sign!). As the machine is supplied with the property the letting agreement covers any repairs to it, I'm guessing if I'd have used my own instead of popping in my gf's garage I'd be fixing the damage myself! Luckily, although things got a bit wet there is no real damage and a bit of a clean later and maybe a wet carpet clean should sort it out.

Just got to wait for the place to fully dry out now but luckily I have the water back on to do the washing now.
As for cleaning half carpet, half lino - I believe twice is the right answer. Once with a vac and then I mop the lino.

G_M

My god! How nice to hear a story about a satisfied tenant and a cooperative landlord!

Trouble with sites like this is you normaly only hear from landlords with nightmare tenants and tenants with nightmare landlords.

End up starting to wonder if there are any happy people left in the world!

Wee_Willy_Harris

Sounds like a landlord worth having. Look after them!

digitalphase

Sounds like a good landlord! Nice to know they do exist