Trying to get landlord to fix dodgy shower

EmmyLou30

Still not sure if the shower is the only form of hot water for a wash or not. If it's over the bath then there's no real complaint as the bath can be used - might not be your preference but a shower isn't a necessity, just an annoyance to be without it. My boyfriend only had a bath at his rented flat without even a mixer tap so I'd be bent over rinsing my hair under a cold tap and made do as that was what was on offer. If you only have a cubicle then it's a flannel bath at the sink which is also only an annoyance as opposed to an emergency.

Tenants often think a LL should fix things with a magic wand as they're being 'paid' by the tenant but you can only expect him to deal with things in a timely manner as he would in his own house. As others have said, tradesmen aren't interested in piffling little jobs so it's actually quite hard to get someone round.

Being a landlord myself our tenants reported a busted shower on the Sunday night (cartridge gone inside it - not electric) and we had the new one fitted on Thursday morning. To me that was above and beyond and flippin' quick service!! But then it's easier if you're capable of doing the work yourself as opposed to relying on tradesmen. But equally it crossed my mind that many landlords might just cap the pipes off and say sorry, can't afford it, just use the bath.

I think maybe give your LL a bit more time and report the fault in writing as advised by others.

kerri_gt

EmmyLou30 wrote: »

Being a landlord myself our tenants reported a busted shower on the Sunday night (cartridge gone inside it - not electric) and we had the new one fitted on Thursday morning. To me that was above and beyond and flippin' quick service!! But then it's easier if you're capable of doing the work yourself as opposed to relying on tradesmen. But equally it crossed my mind that many landlords might just cap the pipes off and say sorry, can't afford it, just use the bath.

.

Blimey! Well done you - we had a similar problem about 6 weeks ago and as homeowners it took us 2 weeks to get fixed with the plumber coming to diagnose the issue and then us ordering the part for delivery etc. Did really miss the shower when it wasn't working - first world problems eh.

EmmyLou30

I think that's a good example Kerri, it took you as a home owner 2 weeks to get someone to even look at it due to the shortage of tradesmen, a landlord can only be expected to do what a home owner could so the OP waiting barely 3 days so far is nothing. Yep 1st world problems! ;-)

We diagnosed the issue with a mixture of google/isolating the shower/advice from others and we live very close to the rental house.....I knew what the shower model was as we fitted it, luckily they still made it and did next day delivery so it was all a bit more luck than anything else.

benjus

EmmyLou30 wrote: »

I think that's a good example Kerri, it took you as a home owner 2 weeks to get someone to even look at it due to the shortage of tradesmen, a landlord can only be expected to do what a home owner could so the OP waiting barely 3 days so far is nothing. Yep 1st world problems! ;-)

We diagnosed the issue with a mixture of google/isolating the shower/advice from others and we live very close to the rental house.....I knew what the shower model was as we fitted it, luckily they still made it and did next day delivery so it was all a bit more luck than anything else.

Good on you for providing good service, but changing a cartridge is a simple DIY job. Sorting out an electric shower (especially one that is giving electric shocks) essentially requires both a plumber and an electrician (ideally rolled into the same person!) suitably qualified for the work.

EmmyLou30

I wasn't suggesting the LL should do it that quickly, like you say, an electric one isn't a DIY job. I think a fortnight would be reasonable myself from start to finish getting the problem sorted if I were the tenant as someone else pointed out, it's hard to find tradesmen so the OP needs to be patient.

lincroft1710

If he does come today, it will be over a week since I first contacted my plumber about a leaking tap. He's done many jobs for me over the past 10 yrs. For some strange reason, winter is a very busy time for plumbers..........