Rented Flat - No Wash Facilities
Discussion
Hoping for some advice on what can be done, this is in relation to a flat rented by a family member.
The flat is rented through a large agency up in Scotland, there have been numerous issues with leaks and mould (4th floor attic flat) but as the rent is cheap haven't kicked up a fuss.
The washing machine supplied in the flat broke on the 15th April.
A plumber eventually came out on the 8th May after many phone calls to hopefully repair the machine, advised kaputt, new machine needed.
LL has agreed to replace the machine, the agency still has no date on when this will be. So 5 weeks and counting.
The bigger issue now though is that on the 11th May the downstairs neighbour reported a leak in their ceiling, the building factor then contacted the letting agent.
On the 12th May the agency sent a plumber, he removed the bath panel (bath with shower) and condemned it, said there is a large leak from a pipe underneath, but that the bath hadn't been installed safely and was balanced on something along with the leak issue and could go through the floor at any minute into the flat below.
So since the 12th May there has been no shower or bath facilities.
The family members that live there have had to clean over the bathroom sink or drive over to mine to use my facilities.
Add to the fact the washing machine is broken, haven't had facilities to wash their clothing too. (I've been doing their washing and tumble drying).
The letting agent emailed yesterday saying the neighbour reported more leaks and could they refrain from using the toilet sink now too!
There is no other bathroom in the flat, so they're left with the 1 toilet and kitchen sink.
There is still no date for a new washing machine and still no date for when the dangerous bathroom will be repaired. The letting agents plumber quoted but the LL didn't agree with the quote. The LL lives in the Middle East and according to the agency is impossible to get a hold of.
What rights as tenants in Scotland do they have?
Surely if the LL has buildings insurance the bathroom would be an emergency claim?
Thank you
The flat is rented through a large agency up in Scotland, there have been numerous issues with leaks and mould (4th floor attic flat) but as the rent is cheap haven't kicked up a fuss.
The washing machine supplied in the flat broke on the 15th April.
A plumber eventually came out on the 8th May after many phone calls to hopefully repair the machine, advised kaputt, new machine needed.
LL has agreed to replace the machine, the agency still has no date on when this will be. So 5 weeks and counting.
The bigger issue now though is that on the 11th May the downstairs neighbour reported a leak in their ceiling, the building factor then contacted the letting agent.
On the 12th May the agency sent a plumber, he removed the bath panel (bath with shower) and condemned it, said there is a large leak from a pipe underneath, but that the bath hadn't been installed safely and was balanced on something along with the leak issue and could go through the floor at any minute into the flat below.
So since the 12th May there has been no shower or bath facilities.
The family members that live there have had to clean over the bathroom sink or drive over to mine to use my facilities.
Add to the fact the washing machine is broken, haven't had facilities to wash their clothing too. (I've been doing their washing and tumble drying).
The letting agent emailed yesterday saying the neighbour reported more leaks and could they refrain from using the toilet sink now too!
There is no other bathroom in the flat, so they're left with the 1 toilet and kitchen sink.
There is still no date for a new washing machine and still no date for when the dangerous bathroom will be repaired. The letting agents plumber quoted but the LL didn't agree with the quote. The LL lives in the Middle East and according to the agency is impossible to get a hold of.
What rights as tenants in Scotland do they have?
Surely if the LL has buildings insurance the bathroom would be an emergency claim?
Thank you
It's illegal in the UK for a landlord to rent out a flat without washing facilities, regardless of what a tenancy agreement might or might not say:
https://thetenantsvoice.co.uk/advice_from_us/landl...
https://thetenantsvoice.co.uk/advice_from_us/landl...
I believe it is a standard tenancy, initially for 6 months then it rolls over. They've lived there for 4 years.
Without sounding too "daily mail compo face" as another poster mentioned, they're not getting what they're paying for.
As said the rent is decent hence they've not kicked up too much about other small issues prior to this, but now not being able to wash their clothing, or wash themselves, basic human rights.
No offers of compensating because of this, or offering solutions of please deduct all your laundry expenses from the rent etc.
Then in an email dated yesterday also saying don't use the bathroom sink.
So they're meant to flannel themselves down at the kitchen sink?
I personally think a reduction in rent because of loss of basic amenities wouldn't be too unreasonable, especially as the washing machine has still not been ordered as far as anyone is aware and no date for fixing the broken bathroom?
No means of washing oneself and no means of washing clothing/bedding.....
Without sounding too "daily mail compo face" as another poster mentioned, they're not getting what they're paying for.
As said the rent is decent hence they've not kicked up too much about other small issues prior to this, but now not being able to wash their clothing, or wash themselves, basic human rights.
No offers of compensating because of this, or offering solutions of please deduct all your laundry expenses from the rent etc.
Then in an email dated yesterday also saying don't use the bathroom sink.
So they're meant to flannel themselves down at the kitchen sink?
I personally think a reduction in rent because of loss of basic amenities wouldn't be too unreasonable, especially as the washing machine has still not been ordered as far as anyone is aware and no date for fixing the broken bathroom?
No means of washing oneself and no means of washing clothing/bedding.....
Canon_Fodder said:
OP is the tenant still paying full rent?
They don't seem to be getting what they're entitled to in return if so.
Still paying full rent. Next payment due end of this month.They don't seem to be getting what they're entitled to in return if so.
I already advised them to threaten the agency by x date to buy a new washing machine and deduct it off the rent.
A day later they said the landlord has agreed to buy a new one but no date of install, not sure it's even been purchased...
You can order a washing machine from AO and others and have it turn up and installed in a couple of days - landlord is stringing them along and as for the bath and shower that should be fixed by an emergency plumber in 24hrs.
No reason why this can’t or hasn’t been done is acceptable.
No reason why this can’t or hasn’t been done is acceptable.
craig511 said:
All of their rights are as stated in their tenancy agreement.
What tenancy have they got?
This is incorrect advice.What tenancy have they got?
https://www.mygov.scot/landlord-repairs
Bloody hell. I’m clearly way too soft on my tenants.
If that had happened to one of my places it’d be fixed within the week. A washing machine can be got pretty much next day.
I’d not be expecting to be paid any rent in this situation.
This kind of crap is why the government has got it in for landlords.
As to what they can legally do, I’ve no idea. Seems perfectly reasonable to me to say if it’s not sorted within x time then I’m getting it done and it’s coming off the rent.
If that had happened to one of my places it’d be fixed within the week. A washing machine can be got pretty much next day.
I’d not be expecting to be paid any rent in this situation.
This kind of crap is why the government has got it in for landlords.
As to what they can legally do, I’ve no idea. Seems perfectly reasonable to me to say if it’s not sorted within x time then I’m getting it done and it’s coming off the rent.
Apparently you have to provide basics yes, my hot water only works on one tap but I grew tired of moaning about it, so will just tell them when i leave. Meaning I cannot wash up or use either sink for hot water, basically the pipes are 45 years old and what landlord in this day and age is going to fix that on a 1 bed flat
Bit essentials yes, water, heating, though I have even rented a flat with only electric portable heaters the gas was removed and i ended up paying the rental for the meter for 4 years, but once discovered, held the knowledge until it was deposit time and threw it back at the son of a gun
Bit essentials yes, water, heating, though I have even rented a flat with only electric portable heaters the gas was removed and i ended up paying the rental for the meter for 4 years, but once discovered, held the knowledge until it was deposit time and threw it back at the son of a gun
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