HELP!! no hot water

LauraSussex

I rent my flat privatly, It needs a new boiler but my landlord has said he hasnt got the money to get a new one, so we are left without hot water and have been now for 5 days, i am a single parent with 2 children.
I have had the enviromental health round who have written him a letter which he should get any day now, ive just been accepted onto the council housing register at band b. (there are many other things wrong with the flat including no heating and a big hole in the roof!)
Is there anymore i can do? We are all in need of a bath and my 3 year old has eczema so needs a bath every night with her eczema ointment to soak in her skin.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated xx

HappyMJ

LauraSussex wrote: »

I rent my flat privatly, It needs a new boiler but my landlord has said he hasnt got the money to get a new one, so we are left without hot water and have been now for 5 days, i am a single parent with 2 children.
I have had the enviromental health round who have written him a letter which he should get any day now, ive just been accepted onto the council housing register at band b. (there are many other things wrong with the flat including no heating and a big hole in the roof!)
Is there anymore i can do? We are all in need of a bath and my 3 year old has eczema so needs a bath every night with her eczema ointment to soak in her skin.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated xx

You could hand in your notice...some landlords...well they can't be bothered...so it may be a choice available to you.

What is the landlord proposing to do? He can't leave you without hot water at all. Is there a cylinder where you could use an immersion heater to get some hot water?

If environmental health agree could you use your own money to repair the hot water and then deduct the cost of that from the rent. There is a process you have to follow so you need to get further advice.

LauraSussex

unfortuantly neither is an option for me, im on benefits so cant afford to pay out for the boiler which is in the shop below me which the landlord also owns and works in. i cant move as i havent got a guarentor so im stuck here until council house me.

C_Mababejive

Stop the rent and simply squat. It will take him months to get you out and meanwhile,just trouser the rent.

tbs624

Are you still within a Fixed Term tenancy?

Ask the LL *in writing* to hire a water heater - available from places like HSS for hire by the day/week. He can set the costs down on his tax return. Keep a copy of your letter for your own records.

Alternatively do you have any friends/family who could offer you bathing faciltiies in the short term?

You may find it helpful to talk to someone at Shelter 0808 800 4444 - they are always busy so you will need to persist. They have a pdf online entitled "Guide to Getting Repairs Done"

You could also try Community Legal Advice - link

HappyMJ

LauraSussex wrote: »

unfortuantly neither is an option for me, im on benefits so cant afford to pay out for the boiler which is in the shop below me which the landlord also owns and works in. i cant move as i havent got a guarentor so im stuck here until council house me.

I'm with the last comment. Stop paying the rent. It will cause the landlord to give you notice and you can use the lack of hot water as a bargaining chip to use against the landlord in any eviction proceedings. Keep the rent to one side though in the very small chance that he might win.

tbs624

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Stop the rent and simply squat. It will take him months to get you out and meanwhile,just trouser the rent.

Foolish suggestion, albeit understandable thought.

If T gets kicked out for rent arrears she will be classed as having made herself homeless. Not useful if T wants/needs to be rehoused by the Council

marliepanda

Surely if you are on HB the council can come round, assess the situation and stop paying the rent to him/you if its unsuitable to live in.

HappyMJ

tbs624 wrote: »

Foolish suggestion, albeit understandable thought.

If T gets kicked out for rent arrears she will be classed as having made herself homeless. Not useful if T wants/needs to be rehoused by the Council

When taken out of context yes. Stopping the rent then going to all hearings at the court and explaining the reason why rent has been stopped and the T is willing to pay rent (and arrears) when the hot water is restored should prevent eviction proceedings from progressing.

tbs624

HappyMJ wrote: »

I'm with the last comment. Stop paying the rent..

T has to give LL a reasonable period of time to sort repairs out - 5 days of no hot water is lousy for the T ( and clearly a breach of the LLs repairing obligations) but LL may yet respond to the TRO/EHO letter within the next few days

spugzbunny

Speak to Shelter. They should be your first call before you start withholding rent.