Spending money before bankruptcy for repairs

BigMac68

Hi - I am preparing to file for bankruptcy in the next month or two once I have saved the money to submit - however our shower has just packed up and I was wondering whether I could use some of the monthly excess £ (as not paid my creditors this month) to replace the shower unit. Approximate cost to replace and fit is £600. We are 3 adults living in a house with one bathroom - so no other facility - so it is essential and if I don't do it now I dont know what we will do for the next 3 years. I dont want to do this though and then be picked up on it as extravagant spending with the OR when I do file. House is HA - but shower is not their responsibility - there was only a bath - which is still in place - but not practical to run 3 baths a day - sometimes - twice a day. Appreciate any input - thanks

mwarby

£600 to replace a shower seems a bit pricey, but not sure how much work there is

In general I don't see it being a big problem. It would be a problem if you spent £6k to rennovate your bathroom, but £600 for an essential repair. The OR might question whether it's your job as a tenant to repair it, but if you can demonstrate that it is, and that the repair is reasonably priced, the contractor isn't related to you (don't want it to look like your trying to hide your money with family) not excessive(not replacing wildy more than needed) I think you'd be fine

bradders1983

Where does the OP state he is a tenant?

Alter_ego

bradders1983 said:

Where does the OP state he is a tenant? 

Where he says house is HA

mwarby

OP states "House is HA - but shower is not their responsibility " HA is housing association

DCFC79

OP also says that shower isnt the responsibility of the HA. Also the OP says there was only a bath.

luvchocolate

The O.P did not have a shower in their housing association property so would have put one in at their own cost, and then the housing association would not maintain it, quite common but I do think £600 is expensive.
Get a couple more quotes and keep those in case the O.R questions this.

db2016

unless shower is £500 and mega, and fitting is £100 - theres not £600 worth of work there!

as usual get 3 qoutes.. cheapest isnt always best though, and average it
or better yet you buy the product - so the plumber isnt profitting on a £200 shower, buying for that and charging you £300 and just pay for fitting of.

mwarby

We don't know, there could be a need to upgrade the wiring supplying the shower, which can add up, its also possible that the shower is in its own enclosure which is in need of replacement etc. But yeah the OP will need to demonstrate the work was reasonably priced and reasonable in scope

Anamox

£600 is far, far too much. You need to get more quotes from more honest plumbers. Post on Facebook or look for handymen etc... it's a simple job assuming it's not a disaster zone.

I'm in Buckinghamshire so prices for plumbers are higher than most of the nation and a plumber mate has just advised he would charge £60-75 labour (one hours work assuming simple removal and replacement with no electrical or major pipework mods) and he could get an electric shower for £60 parts or a mixer (non-electric) for £75 odd.