How to get useless landlord to get his finger out?
Discussion
Currently have an electrical fault in the house. Bedroom light sometimes comes on immediately, sometimes flickers as it's coming on, sometimes doesn't come on immediately but then comes on of its accord a few minutes to half an hour after being switched on... and sometimes doesn't come on at all.
Notified the landlord on 13 June via email so it was in writing, then followed up with a text to get his attention. He phoned back reckoning he'd get his electrical guy onto it. Then nothing happened. I chased up on 14 July pointing out that he'd been notified a month prior and have just had an email back using the excuse that contractors having a backlog due to the pandemic.
The last time we needed something doing it was plumbing related. Same story - his plumber was busy for at least the next two weeks - but as soon as I sent him the details of a plumber I'd found who was available immediately his own plumber was suddenly and miraculously available!
Basically he's a cheapskate who doesn't want to pay for things fixing and has a bunch of his own guys who'll do things for mates rate when they eventually get round to it, so we always have to wait for ages, yet as soon as there's the threat of him having to hire someone else at the proper rate the relevant mate suddenly materialises.
So, back to the issue - the bedroom light. Could this kind of fault indicate a wiring issue that might also be a fire hazard? What legislation, etc. do I need to gently remind him of to s
t him up enough that he'll get his finger out and sort it?
Also, there's an electrical safety check detailed in this article which clearly hasn't been done as we've not been given the certificate that we should have received.
We've fulfilled our side of the bargain in paying our rent and treating the place well and we're patient beyond reason, but it's getting beyond a joke now.
Notified the landlord on 13 June via email so it was in writing, then followed up with a text to get his attention. He phoned back reckoning he'd get his electrical guy onto it. Then nothing happened. I chased up on 14 July pointing out that he'd been notified a month prior and have just had an email back using the excuse that contractors having a backlog due to the pandemic.
The last time we needed something doing it was plumbing related. Same story - his plumber was busy for at least the next two weeks - but as soon as I sent him the details of a plumber I'd found who was available immediately his own plumber was suddenly and miraculously available!
Basically he's a cheapskate who doesn't want to pay for things fixing and has a bunch of his own guys who'll do things for mates rate when they eventually get round to it, so we always have to wait for ages, yet as soon as there's the threat of him having to hire someone else at the proper rate the relevant mate suddenly materialises.
So, back to the issue - the bedroom light. Could this kind of fault indicate a wiring issue that might also be a fire hazard? What legislation, etc. do I need to gently remind him of to s
t him up enough that he'll get his finger out and sort it?Also, there's an electrical safety check detailed in this article which clearly hasn't been done as we've not been given the certificate that we should have received.
We've fulfilled our side of the bargain in paying our rent and treating the place well and we're patient beyond reason, but it's getting beyond a joke now.
MitchT said:
Currently have an electrical fault in the house. Bedroom light sometimes comes on immediately, sometimes flickers as it's coming on, sometimes doesn't come on immediately but then comes on of its accord a few minutes to half an hour after being switched on... and sometimes doesn't come on at all.
Notified the landlord on 13 June via email so it was in writing, then followed up with a text to get his attention. He phoned back reckoning he'd get his electrical guy onto it. Then nothing happened. I chased up on 14 July pointing out that he'd been notified a month prior and have just had an email back using the excuse that contractors having a backlog due to the pandemic.
The last time we needed something doing it was plumbing related. Same story - his plumber was busy for at least the next two weeks - but as soon as I sent him the details of a plumber I'd found who was available immediately his own plumber was suddenly and miraculously available!
Basically he's a cheapskate who doesn't want to pay for things fixing and has a bunch of his own guys who'll do things for mates rate when they eventually get round to it, so we always have to wait for ages, yet as soon as there's the threat of him having to hire someone else at the proper rate the relevant mate suddenly materialises.
So, back to the issue - the bedroom light. Could this kind of fault indicate a wiring issue that might also be a fire hazard? What legislation, etc. do I need to gently remind him of to st him up enough that he'll get his finger out and sort it?
Also, there's an electrical safety check detailed in this article which clearly hasn't been done as we've not been given the certificate that we should have received.
We've fulfilled our side of the bargain in paying our rent and treating the place well and we're patient beyond reason, but it's getting beyond a joke now.
I'm pretty sure you can obtain three quotes yourself, pay the lowest one for the work and then bill him directly. Have you told your agent or deposit holder there's been no electrical safety certificate issued?Notified the landlord on 13 June via email so it was in writing, then followed up with a text to get his attention. He phoned back reckoning he'd get his electrical guy onto it. Then nothing happened. I chased up on 14 July pointing out that he'd been notified a month prior and have just had an email back using the excuse that contractors having a backlog due to the pandemic.
The last time we needed something doing it was plumbing related. Same story - his plumber was busy for at least the next two weeks - but as soon as I sent him the details of a plumber I'd found who was available immediately his own plumber was suddenly and miraculously available!
Basically he's a cheapskate who doesn't want to pay for things fixing and has a bunch of his own guys who'll do things for mates rate when they eventually get round to it, so we always have to wait for ages, yet as soon as there's the threat of him having to hire someone else at the proper rate the relevant mate suddenly materialises.
So, back to the issue - the bedroom light. Could this kind of fault indicate a wiring issue that might also be a fire hazard? What legislation, etc. do I need to gently remind him of to s
t him up enough that he'll get his finger out and sort it?Also, there's an electrical safety check detailed in this article which clearly hasn't been done as we've not been given the certificate that we should have received.
We've fulfilled our side of the bargain in paying our rent and treating the place well and we're patient beyond reason, but it's getting beyond a joke now.
wouldn't you just say that you are goingto get it fixed and reduce the rent by the appropriate sum?
He's had ample opportunity to get this rectified and as you say is waiting to get it done on the cheap.
What if there is a fundemental fault and this resuts in furhter damage to the home and your belingings??
As an ex Landlord, I would jump to get these things fixed when a tennant (assuming you are a model tennant) calls to raise a concern....
He's had ample opportunity to get this rectified and as you say is waiting to get it done on the cheap.
What if there is a fundemental fault and this resuts in furhter damage to the home and your belingings??
As an ex Landlord, I would jump to get these things fixed when a tennant (assuming you are a model tennant) calls to raise a concern....
flashbang said:
Have you told your agent or deposit holder there's been no electrical safety certificate issued?
There's no agent. It was originally advertised via an agent but isn't a managed let. We have the receipt for the deposit protection. Would the holder of this be the one to inform?Meeten-5dulx said:
wouldn't you just say that you are goingto get it fixed and reduce the rent by the appropriate sum?
Can't do this. We have to pay the full rent or that becomes an entirely separate dispute, independent to our issue with the LL. Basically we have to be squeaky clean no matter how much of a sthead the LL is.matjk said:
matjk said:
Be amazed if that’s not just a dodgy bulb , probably a low energy fluorescent one with a ropey starter, have you tried sticking a new bulb in ?
It's a simple check, take a bulb from one of the other rooms that you know is working correctly.
If the different bulb works, add a new bulb to your next shopping list.
If the different bulb behaves the same, inform the landlord that you have checked that it is not the bulb and are now concerned that you have a wiring issue that needs to be resolved ASAP.
Sounds like a faulty switch to me.
A bigger concern is the lack on a EICR, a legal requirement for new tenancies since 1st July 2020, and for existing tenancies since 1st April 2021.
I'd message him again reminding him of his legal obligation to get a EICR done. When this is done you can point out the light problem.
All of this is Landlord Basics
A bigger concern is the lack on a EICR, a legal requirement for new tenancies since 1st July 2020, and for existing tenancies since 1st April 2021.
I'd message him again reminding him of his legal obligation to get a EICR done. When this is done you can point out the light problem.
All of this is Landlord Basics
Sir Bagalot said:
Sounds like a faulty switch to me.
A bigger concern is the lack on a EICR, a legal requirement for new tenancies since 1st July 2020, and for existing tenancies since 1st April 2021.
I'd message him again reminding him of his legal obligation to get a EICR done. When this is done you can point out the light problem.
All of this is Landlord Basics
It's usually a loose wire in the switch terminal. Just needs tightening up.A bigger concern is the lack on a EICR, a legal requirement for new tenancies since 1st July 2020, and for existing tenancies since 1st April 2021.
I'd message him again reminding him of his legal obligation to get a EICR done. When this is done you can point out the light problem.
All of this is Landlord Basics
The lack of EICR is a concern.
knock the fuse box off and check the wires are tight , new bulb holder wont be a fiver
i know you shouldnt have to , but 20 mins work and a fiver would be easier than pestering him and waiting for some tradesman to come out
had one of our lamps do similar...the contacts that the bulb push are sprung , one had got a bit grubby and wasnt making good enough contact
i know you shouldnt have to , but 20 mins work and a fiver would be easier than pestering him and waiting for some tradesman to come out
had one of our lamps do similar...the contacts that the bulb push are sprung , one had got a bit grubby and wasnt making good enough contact
Update!
It turns out that a whole pack of bulbs was faulty, so when we replaced the dodgy one none of the others worked properly either, hence why we thought there must be an electrical fault. This came to light this evening when we had to replace the bulb in the spare room and a new one from the pack didn't work in there either, so we've tried a working bulb from the lounge and that does work in the bedroom.
Anyway, still need to get the EICR sorted and a load of other issues that have been rattling on for over a year!
It turns out that a whole pack of bulbs was faulty, so when we replaced the dodgy one none of the others worked properly either, hence why we thought there must be an electrical fault. This came to light this evening when we had to replace the bulb in the spare room and a new one from the pack didn't work in there either, so we've tried a working bulb from the lounge and that does work in the bedroom.
Anyway, still need to get the EICR sorted and a load of other issues that have been rattling on for over a year!
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