Shower being replaced in rental

Joanthebone

If, as you say, your landlord was that bad, why have you continued to pay rent to him? Surely, with the shower situation, and you having OCD, you would, in the last two years, have found somewhere better to live?


I own my own property, and have had renovations done, but when I was in the process of having a new bathroom, I had no bath/shower for nearly a week, guess what? I survived!

G_M

The landlord clearly should have sorted this out earlier.

However, he is now not only sorting it out, but also doing the right thing by the downstairs neighbour (hotel) and the right thing by his tenant (offering washing facilities nearby + taxis: more than generous).

You asked for a hotel, and the agent gave you a vague response (sort it out later). You should have got a definative reply, in writing, agreeing to your request for a hotel.

you didn't. You took it on yourself to reject the LL's generous offer and book a hotel yourself.

So now you should pay for the hotel.

As has already been said, you acted foolishly (and I'll add greedily!) by booking a hotel without first getting firm written confirmation the cost would be covered.

Pixie5740

I think people are defending the landlord because a few days without the use of a shower does not warrant being put up in a hotel. As a tenant I would accept a few days without a shower whilst it was being fixed. When I was a home owner I would have accepted it. There is still a sink and hot water so it's perfectly possible to keep yourself clean for a few days without a shower.

I'm not excusing the landlord for not getting around to repairing this sooner but I think you're being a bit OTT.

[Deleted User]

While its difficult having OCD.., its not your LL's responsibility. He made provisions (including taxi fare) for you to obtain a shower at a local leisure centre. It is only for a few days. Some of us had to make provision for weeks, going to someone else's house to bath a two year old! Its what you do. There are ways to get a LL to do repairs sooner (see shelter site re repairs).., or you could have moved if that unhappy with the situation.

There's no point in getting annoyed with us when we don't agree with you. It might be more useful to consider that perhaps a consensus is there for a reason.

If you were genuinely concerned about falling through the floor, I'd grab any chance of having a safe shower elsewhere. If OCD is a problem.., going to a hotel is probably not the best option re cleanliness on a number of fronts. Its just what you have fixated on.

KRB2725

When my bathroom was being replaced in a rental property, I used the local leisure centre for a couple of days. I paid my own petrol and admission.

Your landlord does sound as though he hasn't dealt with this well up until this point, but I do think you are overreacting. We are talking about not having a shower for a couple of days, you can still wash or use the facilities your landlord has offered.

I a not defending the landlord, but equally think you are turning this into far bigger deal than it actually is.

Norman_Castle

studentguy wrote: »

Honestly I think if you guys could see the flat downstairs you would change your tune - the water is flooding in. The floor can't be safe - other people I know who have seen the floor have agreed.

Assuming the floor is wood it will be fine unless it has rotted. Chipboard flooring may be weaker if saturated. The ceiling plaster below may collapse but this will make no difference to your floor.

Annie1960

studentguy wrote: »

I don't understand why everyone is defending the landlord.

Because the LL has made you a reasonable offer of access to showering facilities, and you have turned it down.

studentguy

I don't understand the replies here.

Everyone in the real world I've spoken to about this, including colleagues, family and friends, all think it ridiculous the offer of going to the leisure centre. Even my Letting Agent said it was ridiculous - the only people who think it isn't is you guys....

I certainly don't think his initial offer was doing right by me but whatever.

I've since been informed that the LL has agreed to pay for further nights in the travelodge anyway.

I definitely didn't expect the very hostile response I got here, you guys aren't very understanding, but I digress. Obviously my definition of what I consider acceptable (and what everyone I've spoken to in the real world consider acceptable) and what you guys consider acceptable are wholly different - and I think we'll have to agree to disagree. Rental law really does seem to be unfairly weighted towards the landlord, it really needs to change.

Pixie5740

They're not your letting agency. You have no contract with them.

If your landlord has agreed to put you up in a Travelodge then make sure you have this offer in writing.

Things happen whether you rent or are an owner-occupier. Boilers break down, showers need fixing, ovens stop working. That's life. As long as things are repaired in a timely manner and you're not without heating, hot water, cooking facilities, etc for an unreasonable length of time (and a few days is not unreasonable) it's really not that big of a deal.

Should your landlord have sorted this out sooner? Probably. Are you making a mountain out of molehill? Probably.

pmlindyloo

studentguy wrote: »

I don't understand the replies here.

Everyone in the real world I've spoken to about this, including colleagues, family and friends, all think it ridiculous the offer of going to the leisure centre. Even my Letting Agent said it was ridiculous - the only people who think it isn't is you guys....

I certainly don't think his initial offer was doing right by me but whatever.

I've since been informed that the LL has agreed to pay for further nights in the travelodge anyway.

I definitely didn't expect the very hostile response I got here, you guys aren't very understanding, but I digress. Obviously my definition of what I consider acceptable (and what everyone I've spoken to in the real world consider acceptable) and what you guys consider acceptable are wholly different - and I think we'll have to agree to disagree. Rental law really does seem to be unfairly weighted towards the landlord, it really needs to change.

I think the problem is that many regular posters on here get very bogged down with legislation and the 'correct' way to do things. They are usually very experienced and know a great deal about the correct procedures to deal with repairs that aren't fixed by landlords. Consequently they get frustrated with people who allow things to get 'out of hand' without doing something 'official' about it (or even finding another property)

Consequently, many do get 'out of touch' with the real world where people do not know the legal way to deal with things for one reason or another and just get frustrated with their landlord until things reach 'boiling point'.

Your landlord has neglected his responsibilities. He obviously now realises this and is now making amends.

People are not prepared to pay good money and have their landlords neglect their responsibilities.

All that people are saying (badly IMHO) is that if the shower suddenly needed replacing it would probably not have warranted a stay in a B&B.

In your situation you have become angry because the LL has allowed the situation to get totally out of control - the final straw for you.

I sympathise.