repairs taking too long??

tibbers

Hi all,

Would like some info if possible please on how long it should reasonably take for electrical repairs renting from a letting agency.

My stepson lives in a first floor studio appartment. He came in the one night, put his light on in the kitchen, and the bulb blew. He now has no lights or bathroom fan since this happened. If you turn a light switch on, the lights will flicker slightly (i couldnt see them as my eye sight is poor), so, he has one table lamp for now. He can't see to shave, cook, or shower!
His fuse box is the old type (not consumer unit), hubby looked at it and the fuse is fine.
The estate agents were notified, and he told them that he works now, and the property is empty from late morning until 7pm at night.

All this happened 14 days ago.
The estate agents sent a text message a week last friday informing him that the electrician would be round in the afternoon. He didnt get the message, and after phoning estate agents, they told him they had texted the wrong number.
He told them he wasnt at home anyway, and the agents told him the electrician didnt have a key!
Why did they send him there knowing he was working and they didnt have a key???? Why did estate agents text and not phone or atleast check they had the right number??

So, after speaking to estate agents myself on friday, they explained that they thought the work had been done and were waiting for the bill! I should add, that my son had an inspection wednesday last week, and mentioned again that he had no lights, their response was.. "your dad's got the electricians number, he can sort it for you"...
Is it our place to sort it? and should it take this long to get repairs done?

theartfullodger

http://england..shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_in_private_lets

Contract is with landlord not agent: Yes I know agent arranged everything.

Stepson 1stly needs to write (yes, WRITE! - keep copy) to landlord, copy agent, with his repair issues in a calm & polite letter.

pmlindyloo

Probably the easiest thing to do is ask the letting agent if your son can sort this out himself by ringing the electrician and arranging an appointment at your son's convenience.

fishpond

Agree with 3 (path of least resistance and also sensible), 2 may need to be done later.

G_M

1) report it in writing (letter) to the landlord at the address provided. Cc the agent. Do this even if arrangements/repairs are made.

2) ring agent and ask for electrician contact details, and permission to schedule convenient date himself.

3) Make sure bill will go to agent or LL

4) if agent suggests he pay the eletrician himself, get confirmation IN WRITING that he will be reimbursed

fishpond

Yes, get everything to do with payment in writing from agent/LL.

AdrianC

Umm, this might sound trite - but he HAS tried changing the bulb, right?

G_M

AdrianC wrote: »

Umm, this might sound trite - but he HAS tried changing the bulb, right?

and replacing the fuse wire? It may look OK but...

tibbers

yes tried a new bulb and also done the fuse wire...

Waiting to hear from estate agents this morning to see when this will be sorted.
Thanks for all your replies, if he hears nothing today from them, then he will take the other routes of writing etc.

Guest101

Write anyway, you need to report it to the LL. Regardless.


It's an issue and you need a paper trail for when the inevitable deposit problems come along.

tibbers

Thank you for advice all, just a quick update.

Estate agents rang Monday morning and said an electrician would be available to go to the property at 2 pm. Being as my stepson is at work, i gave them permission for them to enter his property.
She later rang me back, and informed me that the electrician didn't know what was wrong, (couldn't work it out), and it would need a specialist electrician... haha.... earliest he could go would be Thursday(today) and she would let me know at what time as he would need permission again if my stepson was not in.
As of yet, ive heard nothing.....
Will contact my stepson tonight, and if they haven't been, i will be chasing them again
3 weeks he has now been waiting for his lights to be fixed.
maybe they will be done by christmas!