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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask for rent reduction

200 replies

GnomeDePlume · 22/08/2016 20:55

Sorry, posting here for traffic.

DD has just moved into a flat. Boiler doesnt work and the bloke sent by the landlord reckons it will take a week at least to fix.

DD has just started a new job 2 hours from home so needs to be able to shower daily.

WIBU to insist that DD gets a rent discount sufficient to allow her to join a gym for a month to get access to showers?

OP posts:

Sonders · 22/08/2016 21:17

YABU, it sucks but these things happen. If your daughter is mature enough to have a job and live on her own, she's mature enough to deal with this issue herself.

Bringmewineandcake · 22/08/2016 21:19

I don't think your DD would be unreasonable to ask her landlord for a concession, but I agree with the others that it's not for you to get involved.

Original poster

GnomeDePlume · 22/08/2016 21:22

Unfortunately no showers at work and no bath in the flat.

DD was away at uni not living at home but uni living is different. It is a lot easier to solve these problems when you have a lot of people in the same boat around you.

I fully accept that I am BU to expect the LL to pay for gym membership to get access to showers.

OP posts:

KickAssAngel · 22/08/2016 21:24

I spent whole years as a student living without hot water or heating because we couldn't afford it. It never occurred to any of us to phone our mums (we didn't have a phone either).

Give her sympathy, leave her to sort it our herself.

HarryElephante · 22/08/2016 21:27

If I just moved into a flat and the boiler wasn't working, I'd be screaming blue murder and would definitely demand a rent reduction until it was fixed.

I'm good like that, me.

FuzzyOwl · 22/08/2016 21:27

That's annoying about her work not having showers but hopefully there is a leisure centre or similar close by that she can use.

I think it is quite reasonable for your DD to speak to her landlord and see if s/he is willing to deduct a small amount to cover the cost of a week's leisure centre use but wouldn't be surprised if the answer is no.

ilovesooty · 22/08/2016 21:30

The landlord is apparently dealing with it and she has been given a timescale for it being fixed. I would have thought she could sort the matter out without parental involvement.

HarryElephante · 22/08/2016 21:35

OP is trying to help out her daughter. Why are people taking issue with that? What's actually wrong with it?

Original poster

GnomeDePlume · 22/08/2016 21:36

DD doesnt have internet access yet (yes she is sorting this herself!) so I looked on internet for her to see what the showering options are. These days there dont seem to be the leisure centres which existed in my youth. They all seem to have turned themselves into gyms in the intervening period.

There isnt that much difference in price between a month's one off membership (£40) and a week's worth of day passes (£5-£7 per day).

OP posts:

YelloDraw · 22/08/2016 21:38

You're not going to get the LL to pay for a months gym membership for a week of showers. Can she even join a handy near by gym for one month?

She can ask for a rent reduction. And she should check her contract about how long repairs like this should take.

But, as annoying as it is - I'd probably wash in the shower with a washing up bowl of hot water from the kettle mixed with some cold, and a cup to throw water over myself. Just pretend you're having a Japanese style wash. Throw on some water. Soap up. Clean off with a few more cupfullas of water.

Jizzomelette · 22/08/2016 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AgentAgency · 22/08/2016 21:43

I actually chuckled at a month's membership for a gym.
I had no heating or hot water for 15 days from Boxing Day last year. It's not ideal but it's not the end of the world at all.

arethereanyleftatall · 22/08/2016 21:46

What a drama about absolutely nothing. Strip wash and move on with your life.

Original poster

GnomeDePlume · 22/08/2016 21:54

No bath.

DD is quite capable of washing herself. She has been camping often enough. She is just finding the daily cold shower to wash her hair a bit too invigorating.

Yes, I could stand back and let her struggle but I dont want to. This is her first few days in a new town, in a new home, in a new job. I am just giving her a hand.

OP posts:

Jermajesty · 22/08/2016 21:54

It's summer - cold showers and a kettle for hair washing should suffice.

HeyOverHere · 22/08/2016 21:55

Have her look into local tenant/landlord laws. She may be able to put part of her rent into an approved escrow, and the landlord would only get that part once the boiler is fixed.

IzzyIsBusy · 22/08/2016 21:57

Local swimming baths, have a swim then a hot shower. Less than a fiver per day and she has the added benefit of keeping fit

Rdoo · 22/08/2016 21:58

This is mumsnet op, you must not help your child in anyway from the day they turn 18.

RoughMagic · 22/08/2016 22:03

Go to the local leisure centre and use this showers. She can have a swim as well.

Or has she tried googling to see if any local gyms are offering a free pass? My gym often runs this to attract new members. You have to give them your details but if you're not interested in continuing at the end of the trial period, you can cancel.

SquidgeyMidgey · 22/08/2016 22:03

OP I hope your daughter gets her hot water back sooner than she expects. It's a steep growing up curve this one, being away like that can be pretty miserable, without cold showers on top, but she will get through.

MudCity · 22/08/2016 22:03

I can understand you wishing you could help but there is nothing you can do unless you want to find your own plumber and pay for it to be fixed immediately....even then you would need to get the permission of the landlord.

Of course this is inconvenient but these things happen and you just have to make do. Strip washes, leisure centres for a swim and shower, a trip to a cheap hairdresser for a wash and blow dry will all help keep the spirits up. At least the weather is warm which makes a strip wash bearable!

All this helps build resilience and prepares your DD for later life which, let's face it, ain't a box of chocolates. She will be fine.

Dontyoulovecalpol · 22/08/2016 22:05

Can you join a gym just for a month? Usually it's a contract. Tell her to get down her council gym for PAYG

Original poster

GnomeDePlume · 22/08/2016 22:11

Local swimming baths are £8/day. A month's gym membership (£40 for a one off month) would actually be cheaper. Gone are the days when you can go to the local pool for a couple of quid.

Thankfully I have been on MN long enough to filter the good advice out from the chaff.

OP posts:

IzzyIsBusy · 22/08/2016 22:11

OP could help her dd by sympathising and explaining her options to her. Ya know teach this adult who is living away from home how to cope when crappy things happen.
Wanting to approach the LL and ask for a reduction or paying herself for a months gym is not teaching her DD anything other than mummy will always sort it out.

IzzyIsBusy · 22/08/2016 22:13

Wow that is steep. There are 3 council baths near me and none are above £5 for a swim. Has she not got a student card?

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