Is my tenant being treated fairly by the LA?

happypuppy

Hi all,
My tenant informed of the free flowing shower (can't use the washing machine etc without having the shower free flowing), but it has taken more than 9 days now for the letting agent (I am paying him 18% of rental for fully managing the flat) has still not sorted the issue out (replace shower mixer valve ). He keeps saying that it's up to the plumber to fix it, but since the plumber has other important issues to attend to like boiler breakdown, this is low priority. also the LA has stopped responding to email. Not the first time things have been delayed this way.

I am in touch with the tenant via Facebook, even though the tenant is paying below the market rate, I think that person should be treated better!

I would be most grateful for your advice.

Old_Git

happypuppy wrote: »

Hi all,
My tenant informed of the free flowing shower (can't use the washing machine etc without having the shower free flowing), but it has taken more than 9 days now for the letting agent (I am paying him 18% of rental for fully managing the flat) has still not sorted the issue out (replace shower mixer valve ). He keeps saying that it's up to the plumber to fix it, but since the plumber has other important issues to attend to like boiler breakdown, this is low priority. also the LA has stopped responding to email. Not the first time things have been delayed this way.

I am in touch with the tenant via Facebook, even though the tenant is paying below the market rate, I think that person should be treated better!

I would be most grateful for your advice.

if you phoned a plumber how quickly would it be fixed .

anselld

You are the Landlord. You are responsible for repairs.
If your agent and/or tradesmen are not performing the find others.

pyueck

Sorry but as landlord you are responsible for this. Sack the letting agent and sort the problem yourself. You are being a bad landlord, sort it out!

ognum

Have you spoken to the LA and told them is unacceptable?

somethingcorporate

18% for a fully managed service?

You are paying twice what I am for the same thing and evidently yours is rubbish.

Get yourself a decent one or manage it yourself.

AdrianC

EIGHTEEN PERCENT? <blink>

Sorry, with that out of the way... The LA really ought to have more than one plumber in their list of phone numbers, but it's not a great surprise that they're busy with heating-related calls at this time of year. Still, replacing a shower valve ought to be a really quick and simple job.

Are there not any stop valves for this shower?

Can you DIY it? Do you know anybody who can do it? Can you find a plumber who can do it?

CWSmith

somethingcorporate wrote: »

18% for a fully managed service?

You are paying twice what I am for the same thing and evidently yours is rubbish.

Get yourself a decent one or manage it yourself.

Snap! I was paying half that for an agent that handled everything - instantly. She was brilliant. This was in south London where I am sure letting agents probably charge more than they would out of town.

pyueck

CWSmith wrote: »

Snap! I was paying half that for an agent that handled everything - instantly. She was brilliant. This was in south London where I am sure letting agents probably charge more than they would out of town.

This discussion has turned into a debate about letting agents fees. What about the poor tenant who has no washing machine and no power in his shower. The landlord doesn't get out of their obligations by getting an agent to manage the property.

If I was this tenant I would be angry with the landlord not the agency, as all an agency does, is do things to ensure the landlord meets their obligations. They are not doing this so any good landlord should be stepping in to solve the problem.

Pixie5740

There are 2 parts to this. The first is that the T has a contract with LL, not the LA. The LL is ultimately responsible for repairs and so whether using the LA's plumber, a plumber of the OP's choice, or by DIY this shower mixer valve needs sorted.

The second part is that the LL (OP) has a contract with the LA and the LA isn't providing the service they are charging for and 18% is astronomical. Once the repair has been done look at changing LA or self-managing. G_M has a link somewhere for selecting and sacking LA. If I can find it I'll come back and post it.

G_M

Letting Agents (Tips for selecting, and tips for sacking them)