No Running Water!

Star2183

Dear All,

I hope you can offer me some advice! I live in a rented apartment with an apartment block and recently the whole building had no running water for over 3 days due to a pipe failing - the block is run by a management company who I informed i would not be staying in the apartment without running water and i would be booking into a local hotel until it was sorted and i expected them to foot the bill - i also informed m landlady - they didn't disagree or say this would be a problem.

So now the water has been restored and it is coming to when my rent is due so i asked the land lady should i send the bills to her or the management company which is when i have now been informed, she is not willing to cover the cost and the management company are saying they are not liable either!

It is so unfair on so many levels.

Does anyone have any advice on how is best to handle this or what i should do next?

Many Thanks,

davetrousers

Star2183 wrote: »

It is so unfair on so many levels.

What are these levels you speak of?

Star2183

well the fact that we had no running water for over 3 days through no fault of our own and yet are being penalised.

Do you have any advice to offer?

SuperHan

Although I don't have time to research it at the minute, I am 99% sure it is the landlords' responsibility to ensure you have running water.

Therefore, you would charge the landlord for the costs you incurred at the hotel (within reason). She would then be the one to sue the management company, as she is the one paying the service charge, not you.

Do some googling around rented accommodation and running water, I'm sure there will be some helpful government websites.

Fosterdog

What did the other residents do for the three days?
Did anyone provide any water at all? Drinking water? Access to shower facilities in a community centre/gym?
Did you find the cheapest hotel in the area? Would a B&B have been cheaper?
Did you ask them what you should do or just tell them you were going to a hotel and expecting them to pay?

Hintza

How would the landlady be liable if she was not negligent. This is fair and you will have to live with it, you made a choice.

How do you think the rest of us survive when the water goes off?

SuperHan

A landlord has a responsibility to keep a rented accommodation fit for human habitation, which includes the provision of running water (and hot water specifically).

This is covered in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

If it is out of the Landlord's control, then they should sue the people who caused the issue. However, it is the LANDLORD's responsibility - nobody else's - to ensure the property is fit for human habitation. If it isn't then surely they are liable for a remedy?!

GwylimT

It is your landlords responsibility to either find you alternative housing got refund your housing costs, if the landlord then wishes they can attempt to claim the money back from the buildings management company.

Hintza

Not if it is out with the Landlord's control.

gik

Does a landlord not have a reasonable time to carry out a repair?

SlowCooker

Hintza wrote: »

Not if it is out with the Landlord's control.

Are you just giving random advice based on no knowledge whatsoever?