Compensation for unknowingly using dirty hot water - worth it?

ywlgy

Hi,

I moved into the rented flat in September and since then the hot water is running slow. I thought it was normal because the cylinder is vented. Then there was a completely blockage in hot water supply in January so I called the landlord (a housing company). The first plumber came and dug out loads of rubbish (plastic containers and hangers) from the cylinder. I was so disgusted and somehow felt lucky I did not get sick after using this hot water after 4 months. I stopped using the hot water since then until yesterday landlord sent plumbers to replace the cylinder. So I was out of hot water for about 3 weeks. The cylinder is supplying water to taps in toilet and kitchen. Shower is not affected because there is an electric shower.

Question: Can I get any sort of compensation for 3 weeks of without hot water and 4 months of unknowingly using dirty hot water? Will it jeopardise my contract if I ask for it?

Skiddaw1

I can't see that you'd be due compensation to be honest. The LL seems to have been prompt in arranging for both the initial repair and the new cylinder and you weren't lacking in hot water- it was your choice not to use the hot taps. Also, the period when you were using 'dirty' water doesn't seem to have affected you longer term. I think it's just one of those things and that you should let it go.

davidmcn

You don't get compensation for not getting sick.

ywlgy

Skiddaw1 said:

I can't see that you'd be due compensation to be honest. The LL seems to have been prompt in arranging for both the initial repair and the new cylinder and you weren't lacking in hot water- it was your choice not to use the hot taps. Also, the period when you were using 'dirty' water doesn't seem to have affected you longer term. I think it's just one of those things and that you should let it go.

Maybe you are right. I just felt disgusted for using that water. And I am not happy the landlord did not do a proper inspection before I moved in and I was too stupid to trust them everything works fine

sal_III

Sounds like the LL is taking actions to resolve the issue in a reasonable time frame. What loss exactly did you suffer? By your account you didn't see any averse effects from using the dirty hot water. You also had uninterrupted access to hot water via the electric shower during the repair works.

To answer your question - You can ask the LL for a goodwill gesture. They can refuse as they are in no way obligated to give you one. In addition they might decide you are too much trouble to deal with and serve you a section 21 asking you to evict the property.

AdrianC

Am I the only one wondering how plastic hangers and containers get into a vented HW cylinder...? And, indeed, how the plumber got them out again?


(yes, there's a hole in the top - for an immersion element, so closed off once installed...)

One thing's for sure - you ain't meant to be drinking hot water, anyway, and the stuff in there will have been very well cleaned over the time it was in there.

sal_III

ywlgy said:

Skiddaw1 said:

I can't see that you'd be due compensation to be honest. The LL seems to have been prompt in arranging for both the initial repair and the new cylinder and you weren't lacking in hot water- it was your choice not to use the hot taps. Also, the period when you were using 'dirty' water doesn't seem to have affected you longer term. I think it's just one of those things and that you should let it go.

Maybe you are right. I just felt disgusted for using that water. And I am not happy the landlord did not do a proper inspection before I moved in and I was too stupid to trust them everything works fine

And what inspection did you expect him to do? Who would have thought of checking the HW cylinder for plastic bottles and hangers...

If you had reported the slow running hot water, I suspect the LL would have fixed it there and then. 

ywlgy

AdrianC said:

Am I the only one wondering how plastic hangers and containers get into a vented HW cylinder...? And, indeed, how the plumber got them out again?


(yes, there's a hole in the top - for an immersion element, so closed off once installed...)

One thing's for sure - you ain't meant to be drinking hot water, anyway, and the stuff in there will have been very well cleaned over the time it was in there.

The one I had has a big opening on the top. See https://www.kingspan.com/gb/en-gb/products/hot-water-cylinders/kingspan-albion-copper-vented-cylinders/albion-copper-combi-e7

Doozergirl

Did you think to look inside the hot water cylinder?  I'm not sure why your landlord would, between tenants.  It's a bit unusual. 

I've been on holiday to plenty of places where it's fine to wash in water from the taps but inadvisable to drink it.   And that's the cold tap.  This is hot water, not many of us like to drink hot water straight out of the taps. 

Nothing happened.  I can't see why anyone owes you money.  It's weird, but it almost certainly bore no risk.  

theartfullodger

Ah, compo time again.

You may be entitled to your actual financial losses over this.  Please take Landlord to court and let us know how you get on.

ywlgy

Thanks guys for your advice. I guess I will not ask for it.
The tricky thing now is blue flakes coming out of the new cylinder...https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6102191/blue-flakes-coming-out-of-new-hot-water-cylinder#latest