Problems with landlord

RevTimms

That is terrible. You must be at your wits end.
I doubt very much if the insurance company told him to do this.
I would be asking for reimbursement of the costs I had incurred!

Smodlet

No insurance company I have ever dealt with would advise turning off the water supply to an occupied property. The whole point about doing so is to safeguard against pipes freezing up in an unoccupied and therefore unheated property. If a property is heated by mains gas, cutting off the water supply will render the heating system inoperative. It's a no-brainer.

If Murphybear's home is heated some other way, as seems likely given the lack of a mains water supply, this may not apply but there is no excuse whatsoever for cutting off another person's water, no matter what the situation. No water company would dare to do it (can you imagine the litigation?) The only time they ever cut off a water supply is when they have no other choice, e.g. because of a burst main or if a customer requests it and only then if they are assured the property in question will be unoccupied.

MB's LL should be burned at the stake, imho.

Smodlet

The CH issue addresses the whole "insufficiently heated" bit but kind of misses the real point: No-one should be left without water; we need it to survive. The LL had no right to restrict the supply and, it seems, is guilty of harassment which is illegal. Trying to get this through to the police will probably not be an easy task.

I hope Murphybear and family are doing OK.

pinklady21

This advice seems pretty clear.......
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/harassment_by_a_private_landlord

What is landlord harassment?
Harassment is action taken by your landlord to deliberately disrupt your life at home or make you leave. Harassment can also be committed by someone else, for example the landlord's family or letting agent.

Examples of harassment include if your landlord or someone acting on their behalf:

cuts off your gas, electricity or water supply
is violent or threatens you with violence
opens your mail or removes your belongings
harasses you because of your gender, race or sexuality
Your landlord could also be guilty of harassment if they enter your home without your permission or send builders in without notice or at unsocial hours.

Harassment is a criminal offence. Harassment could result in illegal eviction - also a criminal offence.

Annie35

I think murphybears counting down the few days till they leave, in the local spa hotel. Good for Murphybear!

cooltt

Burn him now

Smodlet

Nah, stick him down his own well and leave him to hypothermia; I think it takes longer.

Murphybear

Smodlet wrote: »

I know it is not your problem, lovely Murphybear, but he will do it to the next tenants, like as not. Depriving someone of water is (I'm pretty sure) a violation of their human rights having said which, if the police down your way are remotely interested, I will be pleasantly surprised. The ones around here are utterly useless.

All my water company could suggest was that you contact Environmental Health. I recommend you call and keep on calling rather than rely on email. How long does this idiot expect you to go without water, for goodness' sake? Until your kidneys pack up?

Did a bit of googling and the only sensible suggestion I came across was to seek legal advice. If you have legal cover with your contents insurance, that might be a good place to start otherwise many law firms offer free initial consultations, as I am sure you are aware. I really hope this horrible situation is resolved soon and good luck with your move. Bet you are counting the minutes.

Thank you lovely Smodlet:D

Murphybear

Smodlet wrote: »

Nah, stick him down his own well and leave him to hypothermia; I think it takes longer.

Don’t tempt me

Murphybear

Annie35 wrote: »

I think murphybears counting down the few days till they leave, in the local spa hotel. Good for Murphybear!

Thank you.

We have just had a nice lunch in a toasty warm hotel followed by a session in the spa. 3 huge adjoining spa pools with jets massaging every bit of you. We will be popping home to check on things then back for nice 3 course dinner.

I managed to get hold of Shelter, they agreed with everything you!!!8217;ve all said but thought it could be a criminal or civil offence, it was up to the police. I!!!8217;m going to tell him if he turns it off again we will call the police.