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Advise on Compensation for no hot water is rented accomodation
cwfox9
Posts: 3 Newbie
My partner and I moved into a 1 bedroom flat May 13th and on which I found out we had no hot water, this would take until the 24th June to resolve.
I initially contacted my estate agency and they got a Plumber out the next day, he said he could not do anything as only the company who owned the boiler would be able to do anything. From this point we then had 5 visits from the boiler company at which it was not resolved and finally stated a new boiler who need to be installed, this was passed to me by the estate agent on the 7th after I chased again.
From this point they got a quote from 2 sources (the current plumbing company and a different one) an passed them to the landlord, he then dragged his feet for a few days and then came back that he wanted to sort it out when back in the country on the 3rd July, I at this point said i would go to the council and the agency said I probably should. Luckily the estate agency did say he could not do that and he got his uncle to sort. Uncle came around with some more plumbers who agreed they could not repair and then came back with another plumber on the Saturday 22nd June to quote install and this was then installed on the Monday 24th June (which had my Mum travel 170 miles each way to be there as me and my partner could not take anymore time off work).
I had to chase the whole way as it was the only time anything seemed to happen (sadly do not have complete logs due to a few phone calls) and when I requested compensation the agency came back saying the landlord has completely refused any compensation.
For the 42 days we had no hot water we had to boiler the kettle for anything small (such as a military scrub) and if we wanted a shower we had to walk to our nearby gym just to shower and with the hot weather in England the last few months it was not enough.
I've never had to pursue compensation to this point (where the agency has recommend to take it to court) and I would appreciate any advice.
Additional Info
We were on holiday as well between 27th June and 7th July however I chased while away (emailed and had response on landing on the 28th) and gave permission for them to access the property while we were away, they did not visit until the 6th July even though I gave permission from the 28th
(We also had the kitchen tap spraying water out of the connection between tap and nozzle which was reported and didn't get resolved until the boiler was installed)
I initially contacted my estate agency and they got a Plumber out the next day, he said he could not do anything as only the company who owned the boiler would be able to do anything. From this point we then had 5 visits from the boiler company at which it was not resolved and finally stated a new boiler who need to be installed, this was passed to me by the estate agent on the 7th after I chased again.
From this point they got a quote from 2 sources (the current plumbing company and a different one) an passed them to the landlord, he then dragged his feet for a few days and then came back that he wanted to sort it out when back in the country on the 3rd July, I at this point said i would go to the council and the agency said I probably should. Luckily the estate agency did say he could not do that and he got his uncle to sort. Uncle came around with some more plumbers who agreed they could not repair and then came back with another plumber on the Saturday 22nd June to quote install and this was then installed on the Monday 24th June (which had my Mum travel 170 miles each way to be there as me and my partner could not take anymore time off work).
I had to chase the whole way as it was the only time anything seemed to happen (sadly do not have complete logs due to a few phone calls) and when I requested compensation the agency came back saying the landlord has completely refused any compensation.
For the 42 days we had no hot water we had to boiler the kettle for anything small (such as a military scrub) and if we wanted a shower we had to walk to our nearby gym just to shower and with the hot weather in England the last few months it was not enough.
I've never had to pursue compensation to this point (where the agency has recommend to take it to court) and I would appreciate any advice.
Additional Info
We were on holiday as well between 27th June and 7th July however I chased while away (emailed and had response on landing on the 28th) and gave permission for them to access the property while we were away, they did not visit until the 6th July even though I gave permission from the 28th
(We also had the kitchen tap spraying water out of the connection between tap and nozzle which was reported and didn't get resolved until the boiler was installed)
0
Comments
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The bottom line is that there is no entitlement to compensation. You can ask the Landlord nicely, but he sounds like a penny-pincher so don't hold your breath.
Are you sure the agent recommended you take the Landlord to Court? I think it would be pointless, but I am sure the Landlord would be interested to know of their recommendation.0 -
"If this something you still wish to pursue your Landlord for, my suggestion would be to take this matter to court."
Exact wording from email from agency.
Does it not contradict a service in the same way as anything you pay to use but do not own?0 -
"If this something you still wish to pursue your Landlord for, my suggestion would be to take this matter to court."
Exact wording from email from agency.
Ah, that is slightly different wording. That translates as "if you insist on pursuing the Landlord please waste your time in Court, not in my office." It isn't really a recommendation.
No. To claim compensation you would need to show you have suffered a material loss because of some negligent action or breach of contract by the Landlord.Does it not contradict a service in the same way as anything you pay to use but do not own?0
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