What would you ask for, in terms of refund

[runwithme]

Currently on holiday on an island. We are staying in an apartment, next to the owners own apartment. We went out for the day yesterday and returned around 4pm to little water. It's honestly like a trickle. I didn't go in the pool because I can't wash my hair. Spent this morning at the beach, and again, I couldn't get in the sea.
We can't wash up our dishes, can't use the washing machine, and we have to minimise the flushing of the loo!

The owners have two water tanks, which are empty. So we are waiting for those to be filled, or the restoration of the water supply. I am so annoyed that they've let the tanks run dry!

We are in a residential complex, and this hasn't affected the wider region. We've booked alternative accommodation but can't move into until Monday. The owner initially said service is slow, and we may not get the tanks filled for a few days. She's now told us it will be sooner, but I think that's because I told her we were thinking of moving (she doesn't know we have now booked elsewhere). If the tanks aren't filled today, then we are looking at Monday. Not sure about the restoration of water

We've booked to check out next Saturday but our flight leaves on Friday. We did this so we could use the facilities (night flight). The new place is significantly more, so we are checking out on Friday. I'm hoping water will be restored by then, then we can come back for the pool and shower

We've paid in advance but I don't think it's right to be without water for any amount of time. I get that water supply is out of her control, but they have tanks sitting there, empty! I was going to ask her for a full refund for all the days we have been without water. It's caused us a lot of stress, and money (accommodation cost £500 for 10 nights, new place is £800 for 4 nights). We booked the new place because it was the best we could afford this late in the day and didn't want to lose it. If the water comes back on when we are in the new place then I won't ask for those days refunded

Is that reasonable?

You need some tips from my mum. She’s the queen of swimming without getting her hair wet, she even keeps her sunglasses on!

You could ask for a 50% reduction for the days without water.

Running water?!
It's the going rate for where we are.

I need her advice, or a swim cap!

That sounds reasonable, as we are using some facilities.

Surely going in the pool means you don't need to wash your hair?
It does sound awful though OP and I think you should be refunded for the nights you can't stay there

I'd rather not say, and it's not important to the thread. It's not on the beach, about a 10 minute drive. It's also not a swanky all inclusive, and is a very modest 2 bed apartment.

I would need to wash it, to get the chlorine out, I go in it, but can't swim/float which I'd like to do.

I used to work for a tour operator and the small print specifically mentions water may be an issue in peak season, so check that first. We might have offered you £5 a night but most likely arranged a shower room for you elsewhere as a gogw

Not being arsey but would would happen if you didn't wash the chlorine out?
Apologies if there is a genuine reason why you need to but I haven't bothered loads of times and its been fine but I have no bleach in mine so appreciate it might be different for some
Anyway, I hope the rest of the holiday goes well and you do get some sort of refund

Are you on a Greek island by any chance?
There's a distinct lack of water in Greece due to there not being much rain in the winter.
Dsis lives on a Greek island and the water is regularly turned off to conserve it or it just runs out and you have to wait for the trucks to arrive to fill the tanks.
You do realise that you and other tourists are part of the problem?
They're not able to cope with the influx of tourists all wanting swimming pools, showers to wash off chlorine or salt at the pool or beach and showers at the end of the day.
Get some wet wipes to wash with and buy bottled water to wash your hair, brush your teeth etc.
If there's no water to flush the toilet get a bucket of water from the pool.
€50 a night is dirt cheap, you're all in the same boat, tourists and residents.

My hair goes brittle so I need to apply a mask before getting in, then have to wash it straight after.

Surely the limited flushing of the toilet is the main issue here?! We have no definitive resolution date, so this is making things really unsanitary

Whereabouts are you? Lack of water is a real issue on some islands in summer.

No, not in Greece. It's the winter season here, so whilst the weather is lovely, this is not the busy period. The owners have two water tanks and have not filled them. They told us that they are normally filled, they just have not been on top of things.

£50 is not dirt cheap for where we are, it is the going rate. This has only affected a private residential complex of around 30 houses, it is not a regional issue. The owner has been going to her friends home to shower. They have come back with wet laundry!

Use the pool water OP. Bucket to flush the toilet, bucket to rinse your hair. You and your hair will live

People questioning why you need to wash your hair and why you can't go in the pool. It's irrelevant! Also the price paid is irrelevant! Running water is surely the minimum requirement when paying for accommodation! I'd be furious and expect a decent amount back in compensation

Stop it! Why should she be using buckets to wash her hair and flush the loo, she isn't a refugee, she has PAID to stay here! Ridiculous!

Thats a good idea, can you fill the toilet cistern with pool water?
Of course you shouldn't have to but as a temporary measure it might do
And putting a hairmask on after swimming every time sounds like a pain but you know your hair

THANK YOU! We had water on the first night, no reviews mentioned lack of water, we are paying the standard rate, we aren't able to flush the loo, I am not washing my hair with pool water (!), the owner has not bothered to keep water in her tanks (which she has, for this very reason). Of course I am cross. I'm not camping or living in the wild. Nor do I expect spa like treatment. The last place we were at had limited hot water, which I totally understand, and it wasn't an issue. I would just like water , full stop!

Assuming there's nothing in your contract about this, I'd say they should be covering all financial losses involved with you moving to another place to stay (the extra amount you've paid per day, not including the amount you were willing to pay for the previous place, plus any transport costs).

And then a percentage of the cost per day for any days you've been without water. What the percentage should be is something you may have to negotiate. They've fulfilled the contract in part, so asking for a full refund wouldn't be fair. But obviously you wouldn't have entered into this contract if you'd known it didn't have running water, so it seems fair they should refund a percentage.

One thing to mention is that you've clearly tried to sort this out with the property managers while it was ongoing. That should go in your favour. It's not like you haven't given them the opportunity to resolve this.

Thanks, that all seems reasonable and fair. I'll speak to the owner tomorrow when I see her and hopefully come to an agreement

It's fine just to flush for a poo. It's what we normally did when we were on tank water and the tank wasn't full.