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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to book a hotel just to have a bath?

75 replies

JammyGem · 11/03/2017 20:07

Our LK is useless. We've gone 4 months without hot water and he still doesn't seem to be doing anything. Local authority aren't much help.

We slower by boiling a kettle, decanting it into a saucepan, adding cold water and dumping it over our heads. I've not felt clean in months. I've been to the gym a couple of times just to use their shower but often it's so busy that there isn't one free.

I miss having a bath. I tried to do one by boiling water with the kettle, but it took over 3 hours to run and wasn't that warm by the time I had enough water.

I'm at the end of my tether, it's been a shit week, my mental health is failing completely. I haven't been able to get adoctor's appointment for a new prescription so am currently 2 weeks into antidepressant withdrawal and I honestly cannot take any more.

All I want is just to have a bath. I can't really afford it but could put it on my credit card. I just want to be in hot water and to relax and to feel clean. WIBU to book a hotel room tonight?

OP posts:
RandomMess · 11/03/2017 20:40

Make an emergency apt with your GP when I ran out he told me that was an emergency!!!

All the best for getting your hot water sorted out, Angry on your behalf.

ladyedith · 11/03/2017 20:42

YANBU But look at premier inns and their cheap deals for £29 and you could have two nights say a week apart for the same price as one night tonight. If you can wait a bit that is.

HelenaDove · 11/03/2017 20:43

Landlord is a greedy lazy git.

And your council have a duty of care to sort this.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 11/03/2017 20:50

OP, could you book a telephone appointment with your GP ?
Which area do you live in ?

HemanOrSheRa · 11/03/2017 20:51

Christ. This is awful Sad. You must push for your LL to sort this out. What sort of evil shit leaves someone without basic amenities for this long? Although I appreciate that you aren't feeling like you can take this on right now due to your MH.

I think running out of AD's is an emergency. I feel absolutely shocking if I've done the same for a couple of days.

If you feel able to narrow down where you live so maybe we can suggest something? But to be honest, I don't think YWBU to book into somewhere like a Premier Inn as your circumstances are right now. It may just lift your mood enough to be able to sort things out longterm.

bostonkremekrazy · 11/03/2017 20:53

if you are a mum, ask one of the mums at school? if another mum asked me for a bath or shower i'd let her no problem.
and yes, phone gp monday morning for a same day emergency appointment, tell the receptionist you must have an appointment or gp phonecall that day due to your mh and being off your meds.
call shelter to help re landlord.

Etymology23 · 11/03/2017 20:57

Can you physically go into the surgery? I am appalled, and would suggest that if you possibly can you go and sit there until they see you. Having no taper for antidepressants is dangerous and the receptionist needs to realise this.

YouOKHun · 11/03/2017 20:59

I know this isn't the main point of your OP but how DARE a receptionist decide what's an emergency and what isn't!! Can you book with a practice nurse quicker? They can at least get the prescription in front of the GP given that the clinically trained staff will recognise that this is an emergency (as PPs have said). Frankly, I'd get a lot more forceful with the receptionist or doorstep them or email the practice manager. Sorry, makes me really cross as an MH professional that this is being dismissed as something that can wait.

jmh740 · 11/03/2017 21:04

Call 111 and explain about your medication they should be able to fax a prescription to a local pharmacy. I wouldn't waste money on a hotel can you go swimming and have a good shower there? Do you have children at school? If so do they have a family support worker who could help? Have you tried contacting the local mp they might be able to help? You might not have a close friend you could ask but is there anyone else you could ask? A neighbour, colleague? Parent of one of your children's friends?

olderthanyouthink · 11/03/2017 21:10

Seconding calling 111, hey can also sort of out of hours if a dr is really needed.

PerspicaciaTick · 11/03/2017 21:10

Have you spoken to the practice manager? It sounds like you might need to push to get the help you need (from the GP and your LL), is there someone who can help you do the pushing if you don't feel up to it?

Specialagentblond · 11/03/2017 21:18

Pharmacists are allowed to dispense an emergency supply in certain circumstances so maybe try them for your meds.

Hope you get sorted soon, Pps have given great advice x

blankmind · 11/03/2017 21:19

Google off grid shower and camping shower, it may be an interim solution for you.

your landlord is a horrid person making you live in those conditions.

Jenniferb21 · 11/03/2017 21:26

Your local citizens advice bureau is a free legal service please get some advice on how you can get your landlord to take action on this.

I would also not be paying rent in full because you have not have full use of the conditions of renting a property.

Could you ask a neighbour or friend or family member to use their bath? I guess you'd of thought of This. Is there a local B&b that offer cheap deals? Not unreasonable a hotel may give you a well needed break but if you Amy afford it I think might make you feel worse.

Phone 111 about your meds

Hope you get it all sorted v soon xxx

bunnylove99 · 11/03/2017 21:26

Stop paying your rent. You have rights in law in this situation (regardless of what's in your tenancy it's not acceptable for your landlord to do this.). And get on to GP first thing Monday. Tell them you need a script whether gp has time to see you or otherwise.

BarbaraofSeville · 11/03/2017 21:45

If it's a soak in hot water you're after look on groupon or treatwell. You can sometimes get a day pass to a spa for about £10 to £20.

IamalsoSpartacus · 11/03/2017 21:54

are you near any camp sites? many of them have good showers and I'm sure would let you use one for a donation to their flower fund. There's even one in the north east that has baths!

Original poster
JammyGem · 11/03/2017 22:41

Sorry, DP came home from work to find me in a bit of a state, so he's been cheering me up all evening.

Have skim-read a few replies - firstly, thank you to everyone, you're all so kind.
The AD withdrawal is awful, I can't really think straight and feel like I'm in a dream. My friend recommended PushDoctor so I'm going to look into getting a prescription tomorrow from them.

The Council got involved, and so the LL made some noises and apparently is getting a new boiler etc., but this was all a few weeks ago and still nothing has come from it, so we have a wait a little while longer for the Council to chase him.

I live in Berkshire for those who asked.

Will answer more after I read through properly.

OP posts:
Original poster
JammyGem · 11/03/2017 22:45

Not any campsites I know of nearby, but I'll look into getting a camping shower - thanks for that!

Will 111 really be able to do me a prescription?

We were withdrawing part of the rent for a couple of months, but CAB advised that we weren't legally allowed to do this, and it meant the LL could legally evict us, so we're back to paying the full rent now.

OP posts:
AlpacaPicnic · 11/03/2017 23:14

You poor thing, it's horrible having no hot water. Combine that with being without your essential medicine and no wonder you are at the end of your tether.
I had no hot water for 10 weeks when our boiler went and it took us stew to sort out the money to fix it, so I remember just how much it sucked. I wouldn't blame you for booking into a travelodge or similar but don't mistake a quick 'fix' for the bigger issue here which is your LL being a nob. You need to start making a lot of noise and he'll fix it to get rid of you Wink . Be polite but persistent.

Etymology23 · 11/03/2017 23:49

I'm not certain if 111 can prescribe meda over the phone but they can 100% get you an appt with eg out of hours. Please call and explain what has happened. If you have the energy at some point later on you should make a complaint to your practice as this is definitely not acceptable.

Glad CAB have given you the correct advice re paying rent. Make sure you have written to the landlord at the address provided for serving notices, esp if your tenancy has been renewed or started since (I think) oct 15, as then you are protected from revenge evictions.

Solar/camping showers are amazing, and I too would say that I would not think it all odd if a friend said their shower was broken so could they please use mine!

All the best OP :)

spooniestudent · 12/03/2017 04:07

That's horrible op Flowers
Get in touch with your local mp and see if they will take it on as casework- it might provide the push needed to get something done.
Is there a walk in centre near you to get your prescription renewed? Or could you go to the drs surgery when it opens on Monday and push for an appointment in person?
I agree with pps about looking for a gym that does Day passes, just had a quick look and David Lloyd have some free trial ones.
Hope things start looking up for you

nursebickypegs · 12/03/2017 04:51

I've had friends who have done this, so in my eyes, YANBU. I'm 7 months pregnant and I keep getting stuck in our tiny 3/4s bath so I'm seriously considering a baby moon so I can stick in the bath and cover the bump!

OldGuard · 12/03/2017 05:49

Pm me your landlords name and details and I will call him and impart the fear of god

This is solely and utterly unacceptable

Same with meds - I would be happy to advocateon your behalf for same day appointment

Gosh you poor sausage

BikeRunSki · 12/03/2017 05:56

Pay as You Gym do day passes to a lot of gyms from about £6. Might be worth finding one locally and using the shower and jacuzzi.

I agree that the meds thing is an emergency and to ring 111. Then lodge a massive complaint with your gp's practice manager.