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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
GnomeDePlume · 23/08/2016 03:32

As mentioned in previous posts, DD is in the first days of a new job so not able to spend time on the phone chasing the LL. I will talk to the LL to find out how long repairs will take. IME putting a price on a problem gets it solved faster.

Thank you for all comments even the more brutal robust ones. Growing up is a process rather than a step. We haven't swept in and insisted DD go and stay in a hotel or something.

The LL isn't going to be asked for gym membership but I was using that to set a level for a reasonable rent reduction request. DD will be out of pocket to the tune of £40 or so to have showers elsewhere so that is where a rent reduction should land.

Not London, in many ways that would have been easier as there would have been more choice about an interim solution. Instead think town in a more rural area.

OP posts:
x2boys · 23/08/2016 03:59

I dont think a weeks to bad tbf i live in social housing ( there is no council housing in my town all the council stock were taken over by a large housing association) and they dont come out immediately unless its an emergency i would be waitig a few days my shower runs off an immersion heater though so not connected to the boiler.

Wallywobbles · 23/08/2016 04:15

She's an adult. It's up to her to sort it with the landlord. Pissy parents of adult children are much less likely to get a sympathetic response.

EveOnline2016 · 23/08/2016 04:26

I am 30 with 2 children of my own and I still go to my parents for help. I am very capable adult but sometimes you just need help from someone you trust.

In this situation I would listen to your dd and offer advice but leave her to contact ll

HarryElephante · 23/08/2016 04:39

I'm glad some of you weren't my parents!

sophie1985 · 23/08/2016 04:44

Me too Harry. I'm bloody grateful my parents were more like the OP and helped me out back then. It is a process and it sounds like she has enough on her plate to warrant a little motherly support.

LucyBabs · 23/08/2016 04:47

I'm renting and would lose my shit if I was told it would take a week to fix my shower! Oh yes strip wash and pour booking water from a kettle over your head Confused

I don't agree a months gym membership is the answer op but your dd needs to contact her LL and demand her shower is fixed within a day or two at least

Isetan · 23/08/2016 04:48

You're doing your DD a disservice, this is exactly type of first world problem that she should be able to handle on her own. By not giving her the time and space to resolve this herself, you're robbing her of the opportunity to learn valuable problem solving skills, that will help her both professionally and personally in the future.

I know you mean well but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

KoalaDownUnder · 23/08/2016 04:52

YANBU.

If you'd posted on here as the landlord, you would have got a pasting!

Whether a week is acceptable or not depends on the tenancy laws in your jurisdiction. Look them up. I'd be very surprised if the LL is allowed to leave her without hot water for a week. And I don't buy that he can't fix it any sooner; it just might cost him more (which is his problem, not hers).

As a point of comparison, where I live, the relevant act is called the Residential Tenancies Act. It states that hot running water is an essential amenity that must be fixed within 24 hours.

You shouldn't deal with the LL on her behalf, but there is nothing wrong with helping her decide what to do, ffs.

sophie1985 · 23/08/2016 04:53

Me too Harry. I'm bloody grateful my parents were more like the OP and helped me out back then. It is a process and it sounds like she has enough on her plate to warrant a little motherly support.

londonrach · 23/08/2016 05:09

Op..wow...if i was working, had no time to sort it due to travelling id certainly ask a family member who had time to sort it but might phone ll before to explain situation. Having managed without a boiler it is tough but you just get on with it. Op you going about this the wrong way...no mention of gym membership..just an honest request for a rent reduction due to ni hit water. However ive rented for 10 plus years and doubt any of the ll i rented through would have reduced the rent as they would have pointed out they were getting the boiler fixed. If your dd is a student she will get a reduction on swimming pool costs. Having lived in london till last year im very shocked at the cost of your swimming pools near you. £8 is vvvvvv steep. Is there another pool near by?

londonrach · 23/08/2016 05:11

I was lucky enough that a neighbour allowed use of her shower when we had no boiler. Is this an option in exchange for a box of chocolates.

OnionKnight · 23/08/2016 06:38

Why is the OP getting a hard time for helping her daughter? She's already explained that she's doing the chasing because her daughter is busy at her new job during the day. Or is the Mumsnet mantra as soon as your kids reach 18 they can fend for themselves?

The landlord needs to pull his finger out.

Original poster
GnomeDePlume · 23/08/2016 06:45

Not sure about neighbours. Next door flat is empty at the moment.

DD spent yesterday playing voicemail and email ping pong with the letting agent. She will be in various induction meetings today so I will picl this up.

The man who came to look at the boiler said he only thought it would take a week. He was a gas plumber and the boiler is electric.

DD is in an expensive part of middle England. Before anyone says 'oh well that's her own fault then', DD is doing a specialised STEM placement. There werent similar placements closer to her home town. You go to the placement it doesnt come to you.

OP posts:
phillipp · 23/08/2016 06:51

While I don't think it's entirely unreasonable to help her out. You seem to be convinced working people can't sort their own stuff out. They can. We have all done it. But I don't think it's unreasonable for you to take some pressure off her in her first few weeks of work.

I pay for my boiler to be maintained and sometimes, when it's broke, it's takes a week to get the parts. Unfortunately that's part of life.

maddiemookins16mum · 23/08/2016 06:57

Too right she should have a working boiler and not have to do for a week with cold showers. But, a months gym membership!!! The LL should offer an appropriate reduction for her and everyone moves on.

scaryteacher · 23/08/2016 06:58

Rather than pay for gym memberships, or boil a kettle (which I had to do when the boiler in our rental broke down, and we have to pay to fix it under the terms of a Belgian tenancy agreement), what about wet wipes for a quick clean round the arm pits and nether regions?

If Pampers wipes work for babies, then they will for adults!

Squeegle · 23/08/2016 07:08

Oh give the OP a break, she asked a perfectly reasonable question, was told no, accepted the response, and then said she was going to help out her daughter. Nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, most of us would be happy to have our mum doing us a favour surely! Hope your daughter's job improves OP. It's a big step and a big transition. Smile

ghostspirit · 23/08/2016 08:19

This thread is madness. Adults get help with things weather they are 18 or 88. Handing out she's an adult card is just silly.

HermioneJeanGranger · 23/08/2016 08:25

Will the LL even talk to you? Not being rude - but if you're not on the tenancy surely they don't have to tell you anything?

Advicepls7080 · 23/08/2016 08:31

I don't know if these suggestions are people taking the piss or not 'wet wipes' and washes in the sink FOR A WEEK!

Money for a gym membership isn't the way to go but I would definitely have a word with the LL I'm 26 and my dad still helps me if I need it.

Original poster
GnomeDePlume · 23/08/2016 08:31

Thanks for the various washing tips. I may have failed to teach her what to do when the boiler breaks down on the first day of her tenancy but I did manage to teach her how to wash!

Yes, I know that working people have to sort things themselves. I work FT but I'm not starting a new job this week and I am a bit further up the chain so it is more easy for me to cover this off for her.

As I mentioned in a PP I am not asking the LL to pay for a month's gym membership I am using that to work out what a suitable reduction in rent could be.

She is paying around £500/month for a studio so if the length of time that the boiler remains out of action becomes open ended would a request of £40/month reduction be unreasonable?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 23/08/2016 08:34

The LL should offer a reduction. Only in the UK would people be so blase about having no decent washing facilities. Gross.

Original poster
GnomeDePlume · 23/08/2016 08:35

HermioneJeanGranger, good question, I'm not sure. They were happy to deal with me by email when DD was in her previous job and not allowed to use her phone at all (shop floor).

OP posts:
shiteattheseaside · 23/08/2016 08:35

Gnomedeplume- has your dd asked you to help her out here? Has she asked for you to speak to landlord or thought of gym membership herself or is this your idea? Obviously you want to help out your dd, the boiler not working is a priority problem and nost companies are supost to come make sure you have hot water within 24 hours. Also, has dd signed a leasing contract? In the contrac there should be a part that should say the landlords responcibilies should include to provide a habitable house (including hot water) - if this is the case i would put in writing and phone landlord (well get dd to as she should really do it, after some guidance from you if she is unsure) and tell them its their responcibility to provide this and to charge a full months rent is a bit off. However, asking for a gym membership is a bit unreasonable imo. If you want to sub your dd for that then fair dos thats nice of you, however i agree that she could maybe just go swiming a couple of times a week and use shower if its only a week, or if her uni might have cheap rates for a uni gym/swimming. You said she does placements - is she doing a medical course? If so, in my uni anyway, medical students get either free or very discounted access to a swiming pool and use of shower facilities (maybe you or dd could ring uni and have a chat?) Also if she has made any pals yet could she maybe go round to theirs for a quick shower?

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