Landlord not fixed boiler - no heating or hot water for four days at least

AliceBanned

I have been trying since 8am yesterday, when I discovered my boiler had leaked and stopped working (a combi boiler) to get my landlord to fix it. i have had no heating or hot water since then. It is still quite cold. A plumber came and stupidly turned off the mains by mistake so for several hours I was without any water at all. :mad:

Basically it is a social landlord and they have subcontracted to a company called TSG. From TSG I have had nothing but lies and excuses, and a complete lack of concern. the plumber came about 10:30 yesterday and I have now had nearly two days off work waiting for the next visit, as they keep fobbing me off. At first he said it would be next week, as the parts would not arrive. my landlord got onto them so they said they would do yesterday. They never came. they then promised my landlord it would be today. nothing. I've waited from 12-5. nothing. I now assume I am without heating and hot water for the weekend. Great. I'm so angry with them. Can I claim compensation? Also for the expensive phone calls on my mobile. i've been calling them all repeatedly for two days. Even though the water leaked into the flat below, also the landlord's the plumber refused to check in there. Approx two buckets of water must have gone there. His walls are soaking, I've been to look. Nobody cares about this or has offered to do anything. I have had nothing but rudeness, lies and excuses from TSG, after spending most of two days at home trying to sort this out.

I work full time and pay my rent. i do not expect in return to be given such terrible living conditions, including below acceptable temperatures and no hot water. I was not even told yesterday by TSG that the plumber could not make it and the part would arrive today. i supposedly had an appointment, though they didn't tell me, and didn't turn up either. In this weather. It's disgusting.
I don't see why this was not made more of a priority since I reported it yesterday and so much water came out of the boiler it went into the socket for my fridge which was on an extension cable.
I don't see why I should have to keep this boiler, which has leaked in this way now 3x since I moved in 6 years ago. It clearly needs replacing. i don't think this is the fault of my landlord directly, but they do pass the buck by using this subcontractor who clearly has no standards whatsoever. I have written to complain and asked to be compensated; i certainly don't want to pay rent for the four or five days without a boiler. I'm so frustrated, upset and angry and feel quite vulnerable as I get ill quite easily because of a condition that I have.
Total fiasco..
I am going on a short break on Weds and it is so inconvenient; I had a lot of work to catch up on before but this has been disrupted in a big way. I have let my employer down. I cannot wash clothes to prepare for my holiday. I can't really walk around my flat and get things done as I have a fan heater in one room and the rest of the flat is freezing. . Totally hacked off with the uncomfortableness and the massive inconvenience, but most of all the pathetic service from TSG.

[Deleted User]

AliceBanned wrote: »

...since 8am yesterday, when I discovered my boiler had leaked...

AliceBanned wrote: »

...the plumber came about 10:30 yesterday...

I don't have any advice but just checking, is that 10:30am? They got someone out to you within 3 hours?

AliceBanned

Yes but he switched off my mains. I had no water at all after that. He had to come back at 1 to put it back on. Since then nothing has changed. He hasn't sorted anything. Just him coming out within 3 hours is nothing if he doesn't then do anything to mend the boiler. They've clearly just met the protocol by coming out within 3 hours then have they, even though nothing is fixed when they clearly had the part today.

AliceBanned

I've also got a new neighbour who plays reggae loudly all the time. I feel so devastated and feel as though I'm homeless in these conditions. i can't describe how miserable it makes me.:(

theartfullodger

Have you ever been homeless?? Ever slept on the streets on a cold & windy night (no, me neither...).

What is more important to you - to get things fixed or for you to get the Compo??

See here for good advice..

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/disrepair_in_rented_accommodation/repairs_in_social_housing

I'm sure you have no intention to come across as a whining moaner which I know really isn't the case: Do you write & complain in a similar manner??

There is at least some really good reggae ..

Have you kept copies of all complaint letters? Have you had any replies?? What sort of tenancy (eg demoted, introductory...) tenancy are you on??

What does your tenancy agreement say about the reporting & repair process?? You only contractural relationship is with your landlord: Address all matters to him, that he uses a subcontractor is interesting but not relevant...

Cheers!

anselld

AliceBanned wrote: »

I have been trying since 8am yesterday

So how does that work out to four days?

Ciderarmy1987

Unfortunately sometimes when something breaks it does take time to fix it!

Regardless of how many times you phone up and whine about a problem there isnt a magical boiler fairy that they can spend around to make everything ok.

vivster

Sorry to hear about your boiler woes. But it can help to take some mitigating action.

Do you have a friend/neighbour who will let you use their shower/bath and washing machine?

Go to Argos and buy an electric convection heater. They're pretty efficient at heating a room. You might be able to negotiate something about the extra electricity you'll be using.

EDIT: oh, you said you had a fan heater, sorry.

Thrugelmir

AliceBanned wrote: »

Yes but he switched off my mains. I had no water at all after that. He had to come back at 1 to put it back on. Since then nothing has changed. He hasn't sorted anything. Just him coming out within 3 hours is nothing if he doesn't then do anything to mend the boiler. They've clearly just met the protocol by coming out within 3 hours then have they, even though nothing is fixed when they clearly had the part today.

And you've rung them how many times in the past 2 days ?

Excited13

I feel for you but my mum spent the best part of 2 weeks without heating or hot water and she lives in council housing. It's horrible but this happens and to be fair the council did the best they could. Things can't get sorted straight away and I know if it was my property I wouldn't be paying for emeregncy call out charges.

buglawton

Even home owners have to muddle through without heating for many days, tradesmen have busy schedules.