To think this is not sufficient compensation?

[DSM]

On a recent trip to the south of France, some friends and I rented a beautiful apartment. It was a wonderful stay, however on the second day of our 5 day trip, the boiler broke and subsequently we had no hot water for 3 days.

We reported the problem immediately but as it was a Friday evening when we noticed, no plumber came until Monday morning. The chap did fix the problem but not until we were about to leave for the airport, so we went three full days with no hot showers/baths.

They said they would get in touch regarding compensation. We have now heard back, and they have offered us £40. There were 6 people in our group, so this amounts to £5.70 each. It also works out at 7% of the price we paid for our stay.

We aren't used to complaining/seeking compensation and aren't sure if this is about right or not? I feel that it is very very low and am not particularly happy about being given £5.70 to compensate not being able to wash for 3 days..

Need some opinions please.

[Faithless12]

I would say its not enough compensation, no idea how to get more though.

[ragged]

How much did you pay for the apartment for those 5 days?
tbh, I doubt it would even cross my mind to seek compensation (minging person here). But would depend what I paid, too.

[DSM]

We paid £560.

And we didn't seek compensation, the owner came out to see us off/check the apartment/get the keys when we left and she told us that she would be in touch regarding compensation for us. Not sure we would have considered asking for any, we had discussed it briefly though so maybe.

It was actually really inconvenient, 6 people couldn't wash properly for 3 days (the water was freezing) and it was obviously self catering but we ended up just dining out as the hassle of boiling the kettle enough times to wash up pots/pans/dishes for 6 people's meals 3 times a day was not what you want on a holiday.

[doormat]

just because you couldnt get a shower or a bath doesnt mean you couldnt of had a wash....a few days of a strip wash from washing from a sink and using hot water from a kettle or a pan isnt that hard....

i think it is a fair amount...

[painauchoc]

A fair amount? That's ridiculous. Is there any ABTA protection or did you just book direct?

[ragged]

Ah, I get you on the washing up the dishes front so having to eat out more. Now THAT would nark me quite a bit.
Go back and ask for £100 compensation. She'll probably settle for £70.

[rhondajean]

Doormat noooo youre acting as per your username!

If you want to go roughing it you camp, if you hire an apartment one of hte expectations is hot water surely.

Id expect roughly a third of 3/5 x 560 - £112 back, based on 3 out of 5 days having no hot water, and thinking about a third is reasonable compensation as all other amenities were working?

[DSM]

We booked direct so no ABTA I assume.

Doormat - do you really think that? 6 women, boiling pans and kettles to take turns washing themselves isn't an inconvenience? We couldn't wash our hair that way, obviously, which for a day or two would be annoying but three days is a bit much. Plus not all of the group washed their hair on the Friday, thus leaving 4 days of unwashed hair.

[DSM]

Well, actually there was no heating either but thankfully the weather was good so we weren't too cold. It was all jumpers and blankets in the evening but we didn't really mind.

[doormat]

rhondajean...no i am not, my name is very tongue in cheek as i am the last person on earth that could be taken as a doormat tyvm... sorry but these things happen in life ..it was just unfortunate that the boiler broke when dsm was on hols...wouldnt stop you getting a wash though....when situations like this occur you make do, with what you can...

[rhondajean]

Was a joke doormat lighten up!

However no, if you pay for particular facilities, you have a right to expect them to be delivered.

I am not in the habit of cheerily handing over my hard earned cash for below standard service!

TBH she should have immediately got an out of hours plumber out for you which would have cost her a packet - shes trying it on DSM, £100 plus per day after her supposed refund for a property with no heating or hot water?

[DSM]

She said she wasn't able to get one as it was Easter weekend. I assume she could have, but didn't want to pay the premium.

I just think that £5.70pp is a laughable amount. Does she expect my friend to be happy when I transfer that amount to their accounts?!

[Lizcat]

As a holiday property owner I have provided compensation when the oven was broken for the last 3 days of a customers stay. I offered a free weekend out of season which the customer accepted. The cost to me of this is about £90. I had an electrician out in 8 hours, however, it was to read the oven the last rights (this oven has functioned perfectly for the past 3 years).
When I approached our managing agent they were stunned that I was the person starting the compensation discussion. Usually the struggle to get owners to consider compensation even when a full scale armagedon type disaster happens.
I suspect as the landlady started this conversation she is open to discussion. I would suggest if there are things you loved about the property say these things, but then point out that as ladies the lack of a wash for a few days really spoilt the holiday for you.

[DSM]

Lizcat - that's really helpful, thank you.

I sent an email basically saying what a lovely time we had and how much we liked the apartment, and that we would very much like to stay in their again, in fact we are discussing a trip with husbands next year. We thought this might make things easier as she could have suggested a discounted rate. However, she didn't and in fact offered £40.

[DSM]

I sent a further email conveying my dismay at such a low sum, and they have offered another £20 to make the total £10pp refund. The owner has now said she feels any more would be excessive.

I'm not sure if we'll just have to accept or if it's worth pursuing?