roof leak

Simon1878

Living in a property that is rented through the estate agent but I have regular contact with the landlord.

We have been in 2 months but since moving in we have had countless problems. It's a new conversion flat which has its own problems but on top of that the work appears shoddy.

Our current problems are:

The bathplug isn't sealed properly, or at least that's my assumption and therefore we can not use the bath, we have a shower but my girlfriend feels more comfortable with a bath, it's one of the reasons we chose the place.

The main problem is the roof is leaking several patches have been found today... a few weeks ago we found another roof leak which appears fixed but the water looks to have just found another place to go..
I find it worrying with my stuff sat under the roof and us sat under it etc...

The whole place has been a disaster, problem after problem..

I'm just wondering what rights do I have.. what is a timely manner for repair on things especially as it's due to rain this week..

kinger101

Report it to the landlord in writing (e-mail or letter), cc-ing the agent. Ask for a time-frame in which repairs will be completed. I expect the LL will want this fixed ASAP as it can cause structural damage.

Go to a hardware store and buy another bath plug for 50p.

Simon1878

kinger101 wrote: »

Report it to the landlord in writing (e-mail or letter), cc-ing the agent. Ask for a time-frame in which repairs will be completed. I expect the LL will want this fixed ASAP as it can cause structural damage.

Go to a hardware store and buy another bath plug for 50p.

It's the fitting of the bath plug. Not a case of buying a replacement.

kinger101

Simon1878 wrote: »

It's the fitting of the bath plug. Not a case of buying a replacement.

OK, report that too. Check your contract too. Sometimes, these detail what are emergency repairs (e.g., roof leaks) and set out a time in which the LL should respond.

Unfortunately, this type of thing often happens with new builds/ conversions (it's called snagging), but the best you can do is report it so the LL can chase the developer to correct this. There are instances where if repairs are not made within a suitable amount of time, you deduct from rent and fix yourself. So putting stuff in writing creates a good evidence trail.

Some info from Shelter here;

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/tenants_repairs_and_improvements/tenants_doing_repairs

Template letters too.

Simon1878

Cheers for the Shelter link, going to give that a read today.

Simon1878

We also have non standard light bulbs with high ceilings (not reachable by chair), we've been in two months and we've had a few bulbs go already.. I'm guessing this falls under my responsibility to rectify if I want to see?

Pixie5740

Yes, changing the lightbulbs is your responsibility as a tenant. In most of the rental properties I've lived in I've had to use a ladder to reach the light.


What do you mean by non standard lightbulbs? My current home uses a variety of lightbulbs so I just take the blown lightbulb to B&Q with me so that I know I'm buying the right replacement.

Simon1878

Just not your everyday bulbs, more expensive.

So now I need to buy/borrow a ladder to get up to my top floor flat to change some bulbs that have gone after two months.

This flat has just been a bit of a nightmare, I wake up each morning wondering what's going to happen next... So far...

The buildings door doesn't lock

my bath won't retain water

the living room handle is stupidly stiff and struggles to open

2 roof leaks

1 pipe flood

1 problem with water pressure on the boiler

a broken fixture when moved in

can't get any form of decent tv because there is no communual dish installed

got a front gate with a code but no intercom system on the outside of said gate or door bells or anyway people can let us know they are there unless they ring us

lights under cupboard doors being fitted with european plugs

A mattress from china which (as stated on the checklist when I moved in) has no fire safe certificate..

An oven that did not work until after a month when the warranty people came and sorted it


I've lived in various places since the age of 17/18 (I'm 28 now) and I've never encountered any problems.

Maybe I'm being whiney, but personally I thought if I rented a brand new fully furnished flat then I'd have to do nothing at least for the first 6 months of the tenancy.

Pixie5740

Brand new properties have snagging issues whether you are a tenant or an owner-occupier. Just report all the faults in writing to the address given in your TA for the serving of notices.


You are being a bit whiny about the lightbulbs but that's probably because you're reaching the end of your tether. Even without all these other problems you'd still need to have a way of reaching the light fittings to replace bulbs either that or get yourself a head torch.


When you move out, if there are lightbulbs that don't work, that were working when you moved in you'll be charged for replacements and those charges will be far higher than you just doing it yourself.

Simon1878

Pixie5740 wrote: »

You are being a bit whiny about the lightbulbs but that's probably because you're reaching the end of your tether.

That's exactly it.