Bath problem renting

ladycatnap

I wonder if someone can help a friend rents flat through letting agency. His bath has cracked and lets out water. He called the agency on sat morning and finally got a reply today after several calls. The owner of the flat is saying they won't repair the bath and that he dropped something on the bath. Which he didn't. The have not even seen the bath. His letting agency are saying there's very little they can do. He has been told he has to put in new bath as its his fault. It took owner 10 months to repair shower and recently 2 weeks to repair boiler which meant he didn't have hot water for 2 weeks and had to wash else where. There is nothing in his tenacy agreement in fact no emergency numbers at all.

If the bath leaks into the flat below who is liable him or the owner?

He has spoken to citizens advice and they have said just keep going at letting agency.

Anyone any idea's?

Thanks

Lavendyr

Hello, have a look here:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-4081.cfm

and here:

http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-4088.cfm

I'd give Shelter a call first to get their advice, they are apparently very good with this kind of thing. It is LL's word against your friend's, so I'd ask them what their advice would be in this situation.

If your friend does try to take the route suggested in the link above, he should a) make absolutely certain he does it correctly (it will take time but he must show that he has given reasonable opportunity for the repairs to be made by the LL before proceeding to arrange them himself and deducting from rent), and b) be prepared to be evicted when the agreement ends.

Also he may need to get the contact details of the landlord him/herself rather than the agency. He must write to the agency to request these and he should inform them that failure to supply said details within 21 days is a criminal offence.

good luck

ruggedtoast

Welcome to the wonderful world of renting in the UK. Theres pretty much nothing your friend can do. He is entitled to get three quotes to repair the work, take the cheapest one and then bill the landlord. He doesnt however have any way to make the scum bag pay, nor is he entitled to withhold rent.

You can argue that the landlord is in breach of contract and move out. Can probably say goodbye to the deposit though. As it goes withholding rent is probably the only way to get their attention though in the eyes of the law it would be your friend that is wrong.

real1314

what's the bath made from and how exactly did it crack?

ladycatnap

Its a plastic bath and no idea how it cracked. It looks like it has just given up and cracked bath has been there for years.

Landlord hasnot even seen the bath.

Dylanwing

I only rented once, and I think it fair to say that we were unimpressed with the Letting Agents. The Landlord had no interest in maintenance, they did little to help... But when we left, the deposit was soon pocketed against 'damage'. Clearly repairs only get done when the tenants are paying!

SquatNow

Take lots of photos and do as Lavendyr says.

The photos, combined with the fact the LL blamed the tennant without seeing it, (get it in writing if possible) will win any judge over if it comes down to a fight.

Be sure to keep a log of any time spent.

IveSeenTheLight

Dylanwing wrote: »

I only rented once, and I think it fair to say that we were unimpressed with the Letting Agents. The Landlord had no interest in maintenance, they did little to help... But when we left, the deposit was soon pocketed against 'damage'. Clearly repairs only get done when the tenants are paying!

I'm sorry you had a poor time while renting but you make a very broad generalisation.
I rent out two properties and am very keen on maintaining these properties.
I always ask tenants to advise as soon as there is any problems, so that we can resolve as soon as possible.
You may think I am in the minority and maybe so, but there are many organisations being set up to make landlords accountable and more responsible.