Damp problem

starburst123

Hi, I am currently trying to pluck up the courage to tell my landlord we have a damp problem in our flat thanks to a damaged pipe, can he make us pay for fixing this? The pipe was a copper one inside the wall that got damaged (no idea how) and leaked into the wall. We first thought it was the shower leaking so told him a few weeks ago we had a drip in the shower into the tray, when we went to get shower replaced last week turned out to be the pipework and was also leaking into the wall - we had no idea or we'd have got it done sooner. Bathroom already was black all around the shower . He had said get it fixed and he'd pay us back when it appeared to be the shower but this is way too big to pay out for ourselves!

BitterAndTwisted

How can you have damaged this pipe if you haven't dragged it out of the wall or drilled into it?

Do not communicate with your landlord about this other than IN WRITING. Keep a copy for future reference as you may need it. Explain how you have discovered what the real cause of the leak/damp is now and ask for a timescale for when you can expect for him to arrange a workman to come and fix it. Do not give him any encouragement to believe that you will arrange it yourselves and deduct the cost from the rent: these sorts of repairs are his responsibility.

Arranging repairs yourselves is the very last resort once you have exhausted all other possible avenues and there are very strict procedures you must adhere to. The Shelter website can explain this fully.

starburst123

It's a copper pipe, the plumber said they tend to weaken over time and can break? The problem is we are moving out in a couple of weeks and I'm worried we will end up paying for it from our deposit. They had to get into the wall to replace the pipe and now the smell is awful, at the moment the windows are open 24/7 and it's freezing! I would write but what if he thinks we're dragging it out by not letting him know immediately?

BitterAndTwisted

Look, you need to communicate with your landlord IN WRITING. He can think anything he likes, but if you didn't willfully or accidentally damage it yourselves you should have nothing to fear. Would a tenant admitting that their previous assumption about what was causing this leak was incorrect automatically mean they caused it? No.

DO NOT ignore this and leave it for him to find out at the check-out or you can be pretty confident that he will try and make a deduction from your deposit for the repair. Write and head him off at the pass right away.

lavidaloca

Do exactly as the other posters say.

I have had a copper pipe leak that had weakened over time. It can and does happen.

Make sure you tell him now and in writing and don't let him fob you off by asking you to arrange a repair and foot the bill until he pays you.

G_M

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Arranging repairs yourselves is the very last resort once you have exhausted all other possible avenues and there are very strict procedures you must adhere to. The Shelter website can explain this fully.

This is true where the LL is refusing to repair or respond, but if the LL agrees to you doing the repair then the 'strict procedure' is not required. But you MUST have the LL's agreement in writing in case he later says you did it without agreement.

My own advice in this situation would be:

* if the cost of the repair is going to be = or less than a month's rent, then it may be easier for you to get it done (once you have his written authorisation) than to argue with him/persuade him to do it. You can then deduct the ost from next month's rent

* if the cost is greater than a month's rent, it is going to involve significant layout by you, with re-imbursement taking longer, so I would insist (in writing) that the LL take responsibility and arrange it.

starburst123

Thanks all.... G_M we have already paid last rent so this is not an option for us.... I am in the process of composing the letter and going along the lines of the original issue was not what it appeared and transpired to be a copper pipe leak which has caused black Mould inside the wall, we have done as much as we feel comfortable in arranging on his behalf in having the pipework repaired and now would request that he has someone come to inspect for the required repair works. Does this sound okay?

BitterAndTwisted

Sounds OK to me.

Meanwhile use a dilute bleach solution to remove the mould as best you can.

starburst123

Firstly thanks for all responses before... So I heard back from my landlord who simply said he would contact the managing company. Not heard a peep from them, then he gets in touch this week to talk about new tenant coming, and oh any news on the shower? (I assume he meant big health hazard hole in the wall as I clearly explained shower was fixed, this was the resultant issue) I say no, did you not speak to management company then? Heard nothing back since... What do we do?! We move in a few days, he now has a new tenant lined up :eek: