Shower Leaking Again.

studentguy

Hi,

This is a continuation of this thread: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5235120 which had mixed responses to my original question.

Anyhow, the shower got replaced with a brand new one, but I noticed at the time that the work looked a bit shoddy. The sealant seemed non-existant, but what do I know, I'm not a plumber. So I went ahead and used it, glad that I had a working shower again.

Well that was 3 months ago. In the past few days it's started to leak again, and it's suddenly developed a crack in the shower tray and started to leak really bad, so much so that I noticed the lino was soaking wet after I left the shower this morning. My downstairs neighbour has also just started having water coming through her ceiling too. I've raised this with LL and LA who are going to supposedly raise it with the manufacturer, and in the meantime I should put a bowl underneath - okay that's fine whatever. However then I decided to lightly pull up the lino and have a look at the floor... it's completely drenched (see attached pic) - like completely, the lino is discolouring, and the carpet in the next room has started to show a wet patch.

I'm at the end of my tether and am beginning to reluctantly think about moving out. What are my rights though? I don't feel it fair that I have to pay the LA another £200 odd in Application Fees to move to another flat due to the poor state of this one, am I able to argue that they should with-hold that fee? Is this something that is likely to be done?

If they do fix the shower leak (admittedly I've given them enough chances but whatever) - will the floorboards dry out and be safe? Or will they stay damp for months, possibly going mouldy and possibly losing all strength? Should I seek expert advise? I'm worried that I'm going to fall through the floor.

What would you do in my situation?

Thanks

Pixie5740

You have 2 choices.

1) Slog it out where you are until the shower is fixed. See Shelter's website for how to escalate repairs in rented accommodation for further information.

2) Find somewhere else to live. If you plump for this option which seems like the most sensible to me then I doubt any letting agency fees would be waived. You have no contract with the letting agency. The letting agency are not responsible for the condition of the property so why would they waive their fees?

Life is not fair. Tenants can be issued a Section 21 for no reason at all and face calling the landlord's (letting agent's) bluff or paying out either renewal fees or referencing fees for elsewhere.

thesaint

I don't see why the letting agent should be down money because of no fault of their own.

studentguy

I'm not blaming either of you, so don't take this as an insult - but basically it seems like tenancy law always shafts the tenant - who is probably the poorest person in the business relationship. Nice that eh?

I don't see why the letting agent should be down money because of no fault of their own

That quote equally applies to me too. If it wasn't for this issue I wouldn't want to move... But sod the tenant eh?

Pixie5740

Tenancy law doesn't always shaft the tenant and I say that as a former tenant.

If you don't like letting agency fees (and what tenant does) then sign Shelter's petition to end letting fees in England & Wales.

Pixie5740

It's your choice whether you decide to stay or go, nobody else's. There are pros and cons for both. However, if you really suffer from OCD then I would think that finding somewhere better to live would be the lesser of two evils.