leaking shower- whos responsible?

Euphoria1z

Hi

im in a rented flat, been here almost 2 months and the shower unit (a triton t80si) is leaking water from behind the casing when the shower is in use (the leaking water is cold water, and is quite obvious, more than just a few drips).

its also giving a small electric shock (like a 9v battery does) when you touch the screw on the base of this unit.

now i phoned the company that looks after the property and who holds the lease and the lady said she'll make some calls and get someone to look at it but said she wasnt sure if this is something that is covered under the service charge ( i dont even pay this so not sure if this is relevant, unless its included in the rent).

so whos liable for this to be fixed? seeing that you get a mini electric shock suggests that this needs fixing asap and if i dont get an answer in the next day or two ill get it fixed myself but who should be responsible for paying the bill?

Thanks

Browntoa

Landlords responibilty , had this on a simlilar trition unit and it was cheaper to replace the whole unit

Euphoria1z

even though they havent refused to pay for it to be fixed but merely suggested there not sure whos responsibility it is, if they dont take responsibility, do i just say its your responsibility to fix it, how do i structure my reply?

theartfullodger

Any landlord who does not fix leaks needs his head examining. Water spurting everywhere can be expensive.

I had this fault - fiddly but needed a small part about £15. You may have a different problem.

tbs624

theartfullodger wrote: »

Any landlord who does not fix leaks needs his head examining.

...especially so when T is reporting electric shocks, albeit small ones.

OP - formalise your request for action - confirm to your LL via good old snail mail the date on which you first raised the issue and with whom and ask them to let you know when someone will be calling to check it. Do you also have a bath available for use? You should stop using the shower until someone has checked it out.

Fire_Fox

It's worth running an advanced search, these issues come up regularly. Are you saying you have contacted the management company for the entire building?? No a shower is not covered within the service charge, you are not contracted to the management company so should not be contacting them.

Write to your landlord reporting the fault and asking him to repair the shower. If he does not do so contact Environmental Health at your local council, explain your concerns over the combination of a faulty electric appliance and water. If you decide to repair this yourself you will need to pay the bill, you have not even formally reported the fault to your landlord yet.

pararct

As per all the other replies this is your LL responsibility..

Building on that as this is an electric shower isolate it at the main switch and do not use it again until it has been attended too.

Water coming from within the unit is not a good sign and you could be risking injury by continuing to do so.

Not great news but it gives you the added stick of urgency with your LL in getting it sorted.

SuzieSue

Euphoria1z wrote: »

even though they havent refused to pay for it to be fixed but merely suggested there not sure whos responsibility it is, if they dont take responsibility, do i just say its your responsibility to fix it, how do i structure my reply?

From your first post, I don't think you have actually spoken to your LL, it sounds like you have spoken to the management company. You need to contact your LL.

Kynthia

You seem to be suggesting that you've rung the management company who maintain the building on behalf of the freeholder, is that the case? Or do you mean that you've rung the letting agent employed by your landlord?

Write to your landlord using the address on your AST urgently as it is ultimately their responsibility to sort.

G_M

Look at your tenancy agreement. The landlord's name should be on it, as well as an address "for the serving of notices".

WRITE (yes, a letter - keep a copy) to the LL at this address
a) explaining the problem and
b) asking for it to be fixed asap, especially as there is a potentially dangerous electrical fault.
c) for convenience, if you are willing, give him your phone number and ask him to ring to arrange a date for the repair so that you can agree a date/time when you can be home to let the contractor in.

By all means ring/email the LL first, to discuss and get things moving, but always follow up with a letter.

Euphoria1z

The landlord is named on the lease as a Trust. The address and contact is of the management company who i contacted today by phone ...If i dont get a response by tomorow ( as i called them today and she said she will get back to me ) i will write them a letter.

how long should i wait before taking further action after writing a letter if no action is taken.?

there is a bath tub ( the electric shower is in the bath tub, as in you have to stand in the bath tub to use the shower). is it safe to use this?

worst case scenario, would a new shower fix the issue? dont really want to wait more than a week for this to be fixed as i have 3 young children so im prepared to get it replaced as long as a simple replacement shower is all thats needed. last time we reported an issue it took over 3 weeks to get resolved ( though it was non urgent) because the management company have to contact the trust and their lawyers or something .

anyway, thanks for the responses so far.