Stagnant Water Problem.

brightengineer

Hello

I have a bit of a problem. And i'm hoping that this sites users will be able to provide a solution.

As the title suggests: it's regarding stagnant water.

The situation is this: i life in a basement conversion, At the rear of the property. Where the bathroom is: there is a pit put there for a window (and according to the landlord: escape should there be a fire)

the pit is 4ft wide and deep (perfect square), and 6.5ft high. Brick structure with concrete at the base. There is a ladder to the north side of the pit to aid in escape and a cage overhead (which is resting - i.e. no constraints).

As you have no doubt guessed: this causes a problem with rain water.

The smell coming from it during the summer months, and after rainful is putrid. It really is rotten. Disgusting, really, really foul. The landlord himself has complained about the smell, as have we. The problem is that there is no drainage. the structure is solid.

Now, the situation is this: the landlord has said: "it's not a drainage, nor safety issue. There is nothing i can do." (his words) So i'm assuming that the cost of dealing with it is more than he is willing to shell out.

So, putting that to one side: is there anything to remove the smell? I have tried: Bleach, soda crystals, and toilet blocks to curb the smell. But to no avail

Does anybody have any suggestions? I can't afford to put pressure on the landlord. So i have to deal with this myself.

Many thanks

Southend1

Could you put a clear plastic sheet or some other sort of cover over the opening to stop water getting in in the first place?

brightengineer

Southend1 wrote: »

Could you put a clear plastic sheet or some other sort of cover over the opening to stop water getting in in the first place?

It's the simple ideas.

i have no idea why that didn't occur to me. I must be going daft.

mattyprice4004

Sometimes you just need an outside perspective.
You may want to change your username though...

(Only kidding of course)

G_M

Sounds like
a) you are a tenant and
b) it's a flat

So your landlord is the leaseholder of the flat. The leaseholder has no right to alter anything structural in the property, so he is right - he cannot start installing a drain for example.

What he should be doing is writing to the building's freeholder (or management company if there is one) and asking them to resolve the problem. He as leaseholder (probably along with other leaseholders/flat owners in the building) will end up paying the bill, either from the annual service charge, or a one-off fee, but it is the freeholder/ManCo that is responsible for the job.