Infestation and no hot water- can I terminate tenancy?

onwards&upwards

SophiaRey wrote: »

Thank you for your answers. I am truly shocked that having flies buzzing inside a property and having not had a shower in 2-3 days (a basic human right!) does not constitute a property being uninhabitable?! How is that even legal?!!

Lol, I haven’t used my shower since Wednesday morning. Call the UN!

gettingtheresometime

Getting_greyer wrote: »

Just griz out a cold ship shower. One there's a thick lather of soap you have no option but to fight through it. Once passed the urge to scream it's not too bad.

You shouldn't be left without hot water but they need some time to get fixed. Not sure how long though.

Apparently cold showers are good for stress!

Getting_greyer

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Apparently cold showers are good for stress!

My own experience suggests they are definitely not.

Whilst lack of hot water is not the end of days, I sympathise with the OP as it can be demoralising. Especially when coupled with regret of the circumstances highlighted.

M_Python

SophiaRey wrote: »

Thank you for your answers. I am truly shocked that having flies buzzing inside a property and having not had a shower in 2-3 days (a basic human right!) does not constitute a property being uninhabitable?! How is that even legal?!!

Oh dear me!

I'm going to take a stab in the dark and guess that you are young because you really do have a lot to learn about life!

RelievedSheff

It might be inconvenient to have no hot water right now, but provided the landlord fixes it in reasonable time it is not a reason to terminate your agreement. And neither is a broken window lock or toilet seat.

You don't like the area but really you should have checked that out prior to signing the tenancy agreement. That isn't a reason to terminate the agreement early.

onwards&upwards

M_Python wrote: »

Oh dear me!

I'm going to take a stab in the dark and guess that you are young because you really do have a lot to learn about life!

Actually, I think we are being a bit harsh here (I include myself).

A shower might not be a ‘human right’ but a rental property should have hot running water. Yes it can take a while to fix and perhaps the OP is overreacting a little bit, but I think we’d all be pretty annoyed to be 4 days into a new tenancy and already be dealing with a broken boiler and flies everywhere!

davidmcn

onwards&upwards wrote: »

I think we’d all be pretty annoyed to be 4 days into a new tenancy and already be dealing with a broken boiler and flies everywhere!

A bit annoying yes, but it seems it was working at the start of the tenancy, it's not as if they handed over the keys knowing it was faulty. An owner-occupier would be lucky to get their boiler fixed within two days.

parkrunner

SophiaRey wrote: »

Thank you for your answers. I am truly shocked that having flies buzzing inside a property and having not had a shower in 2-3 days (a basic human right!) does not constitute a property being uninhabitable?! How is that even legal?!!

onwards&upwards wrote: »

Actually, I think we are being a bit harsh here (I include myself).

A shower might not be a ‘human right’ but a rental property should have hot running water. Yes it can take a while to fix and perhaps the OP is overreacting a little bit, but I think we’d all be pretty annoyed to be 4 days into a new tenancy and already be dealing with a broken boiler and flies everywhere!

There is no perhaps about it. I agree it would be annoying but nothing more. I'm afraid any sympathy flies (no pun intended) out of the window with such an overreaction, at least mine does.

G_M

The concept of 'human rights' originated after the atrocities of the 2nd world war and the treatment of jews, the disabled and other groups under nazi german rule.


Granted the definition has expanded since then, but a few days without hot water does not infringe human rights, basic or otherwise.


Yes, the LL has an obligation to fix, within a 'reasonable' period of time from when formally informed - hence my advice to send a letter to the proper address. But to be fair it seems other issues have been fixed promptly, and a boiler inevitably takes longer, especially in winter.

Mrsn

OP chalk this up to life experience.

Wherever you decide to move too please do check out the area beforehand! Tenancy's can be bloody tricky to get out of and not too mention costly.

I live in a housing association property. The boiler was condemned 2 years ago during their annual gas service. It was still in winter and during a much colder spell. I had at that point a 3 and 6 year old, we had no hot water or heating for nearly 3 weeks. It’s horrible and at the time really stressful so I get it but you have got to allow a reasonable amount of time for that to be rectified...