Claiming inconveniance

mincedump

Hi I am having problems with my previous landlord after hehas made it difficult for me to get my deposit back saying there was a cleaningissue and a painting issue. I pleaded with him for it back because last year wewere without hot water for 5 weeks plus of the year and 3 weeks plus without awasher. This meant that we were at inconvenience because we had to travel to afamily member’s house for hot showers and to get clothes washed with a one yearold child. The tenancy has since ended and I was wondering if anyone has anyinformation on whether we could claim back compensation for these inconveniences.

Thanks in advance

fishpond

Did you write a letter to the LL at the time (keeping a copy), voicing your concerns.
If you did, I think it would be through the courts, nothing to do with the deposit.

Rollinghills

Was your deposit protected and did you / could you go via their dispute process? Unfortunately I don't think the lack of hot water etc would be taken into account.

mincedump

Hi
Thanks for the quick response. The deposit is really a different dispute which I don't think they would consider my claims. I would be looking to go through small claims for inconvenience because of these issues, eg travel costs. My landlord and I only arranged things via texts I have all these texts when I reported it a problem and when it was fixed.

thanks

Pixie5740

There are two separate issues here. The first is the return of the deposit and the second is your claim for being without hot water for 5 weeks.

The first issue should be relatively straightforward. Log into whichever deposit scheme your deposit is registered with and claim it back. There's no need to plead with your LL. Your LL will have to have evidence to successfully make a claim from your deposit. Does he have any? Assuming the property is in England or Wales see Deposits.

The time to get compensation/rent reduction for being without hot water was at the time not after the tenancy ended. Would you even be bringing this up now if it weren't for the problems with getting your deposit back?

The washing machine, who did it say was responsible for the washing machine in your tenancy agreement? You might have been responsible for it. That's by the by now though as again, the time to try and get compensation (not that I'm saying you are due any for this) was during the tenancy.

G_M

Agree with the above. The deposit is unrelated so read:

* Deposits (payment, protection and return)

As for compensation, a claim is not time-barred, so yes, you could claim now, though the courts may wonder why you've waited so long.

Whether the claim is valid is another matter:
* did the LL make 'reasonable' afforts to fix the hot water? What was the time-schedule.
* what date did you officially report the problem by letter?
* when did the LL respond and how?
* how many visits were requied by the enginer/plumber? whar dates? Why?

If LL responded 'unreasonably' you may have a claim.

As for the washer, whose responsibility was it to repair (not automatically the LL!). If the LL's, similar questions as above.