Can the landlord leave me without a working bathroom?

[staceyb]

The landlord, via the agency, has just notified us that he has contracted someone to replace the bath, surrounding tiles and shower in the only bathroom in the house.

He has informed us that the contractors have estimated a week, commencing 20th July and we would be therefore without a bath or access to the bathroom during the day, for that time.

Legally can they leave us without a bathroom for that time?

[jodypress]

Surely any renovations should be in the period between old/new tenants, no?

[Crusoe]

Changing over the actual toilet bowl should only take 10min so they can usually work round you if you were needing in.

[Kateg28]

For a week? How big is the bathroom?

I have no experience in this area at all apart from having a bathroom in my house but I would have thought it was a day or two's work?

[t400ble]

At least he wants to improve the property

[Jasandjules]

You have an Assured Tenancy?

If so, the choice is yours. You can tell them to get stuffed and you do not have to give them access to your house.

[Aretnap]

Kateg28 said:

For a week? How big is the bathroom?

I have no experience in this area at all apart from having a bathroom in my house but I would have thought it was a day or two's work?

Just had my small bathroom done. Plumber estimated a week... which turned into a month for various reasons (plasterer did his back in, and the plumber was generally a bit disorganised)

That said a lot of the time was ripping tiles off the wall, putting new tiles on, waiting for plaster to dry etc, for most of which time the bath at least was more or less useable. Think there was only one night where we were actually without any means of washing.

[505diff]

I would think the majority of houses in the UK still have only one bathroom and people don't need to move out when it's done, I'm sure who ever is doing the work will leave with a toilet over night, as already posted, at least your landlord is spending your rent money on improving the house you live in, many don't.

[hman]

cross charge your landlord for a week in a hotel? or tell him you need access to a working bathroom at all times

[photosnob]

505diff said:

I would think the majority of houses in the UK still have only one bathroom and people don't need to move out when it's done, I'm sure who ever is doing the work will leave with a toilet over night, as already posted, at least your landlord is spending your rent money on improving the house you live in, many don't.

That is hardly the point - people who are not renting have the option of chosing when the work is done. They can work around it. Furthermore I wouldn't want someone in my house alone (when I was at work) for a week without supervision.

I'd tell the landlord to get stuffed. He should have consulted with you before planning this work. It's rude and unfair.

[R1 Indy]

hman said:

cross charge your landlord for a week in a hotel? or tell him you need access to a working bathroom at all times

If I was the landlord, and this was your attitude, I would be like, "ok don't have a new fking bathroom then!"

I assume you don't want a new bathroom then op?

[Jasandjules]

photosnob said:

He should have consulted with you before planning this work. It's rude and unfair.

And he has no right to access the property if there is an AST in place.

[PurpleMoonlight]

While getting a new bathroom is nice I would be a little concerned with leaving people in my home unsupervised while I was out at work.

[UpTheIron]

Is the a problem with the current bath / shower?

[Huskyman]

As the property will be classified as uninhabitable during the work, the landlord must make other arrangements for accommodation during the works, be it at a hotel or otherwise.
If you can be bothered to read through it the Housing Act may have some info on this.

[hman]

R1 Indy said:

hman said:

cross charge your landlord for a week in a hotel? or tell him you need access to a working bathroom at all times

If I was the landlord, and this was your attitude, I would be like, "ok don't have a new fking bathroom then!"

I assume you don't want a new bathroom then op?

i dont think the op wants the new bathroom - thats really the point...

well that and the fact that there has been no consultation with the tenant and he'll be without a bathroom for a week through no desire of his own.


for the explanation - you're welcome.

[staceyb]

AST in place.

The work being carried out is to solve a problem that has been there for 2 years, the bath leaking, due to it not being fitted correctly in the first place.

In that time we have resealed the bath at least 8 times. Now because it has leaked over such a length of time it has caused damage to the bathroom floor, walls and the hallway wall.

We asked if the work could be done over an extended weekend, Friday to Tuesday or Thursday to Monday and we would go away for a long weekend and there would be no problem.

The contractor, who happens to be the landlords brother, is not willing to work a weekend. We have informed the agency that being without a bathroom for a week is unacceptable and the agency have now said the work has been cancelled and will continue to reseal as and when.

[ging84]

so you are complaining about the bathroom
and now complaining about them fixing it
what did you expect to happen? 32 umpa lumpa descend onto your house while the landlord takes you to claridges for afternoon tea, and you come home to a new bathroom

this is typical for PH
burn frozen sausages on the landlords lawn

[505diff]

The landlord is being more than reasonable asking that work is carried out during normal Monday to Friday hours, if you had your own house you would have to either let people get on with while your at work or take the day off to be in, renting one is no different, as you have to give access for maintanace subject to notice, as part of your tenancy agreement. You would not ask for money back from a hotel for weekend stay as you could not leave your room until the bed had been made as you did not want people around your belongings with out you in at the time.

[Jasandjules]

505diff said:

renting one is no different, as you have to give access for maintanace subject to notice, as part of your tenancy agreement.

No you don't.

Should the landlord attempt to gain access or his plumber be given a key etc or even access the property without the consent of the tenant, they could be arrested.