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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

WIBU to ask for a slight reduction in rent?

31 replies

Psychologika · 18/08/2017 13:22

8 days ago the boiler broke. Landlord is lovely, but also very busy with his proper job. I've had to take three days off work to be in when British Gas come round. The last time they came they said that it would need a whole new boiler. As we're on the third floor of a building on a high street, a new boiler is going to involve scaffolding, and thus isn't going to be done quickly. This is going to be at least another day off work.

I've agreed to take the time off because LL lives quite far away and works full time.
I've got a 4 year old and am now sick of not being able to have a shower, if I asked him to come then it would all take even longer!

There's still no date arranged for the work to start. I'm behind at work, and I want shower my daughter!

WIBU to ask for some money off the next month's rent?

OP posts:

littlemisssweetness · 18/08/2017 14:26

I would ring shelter- hot water is a necessity they can't just leave you without

Original poster

Psychologika · 18/08/2017 14:40

But do you think I'd be reasonable to ask for a rent reduction?

OP posts:

Geordie007 · 18/08/2017 14:43

There are a lot of scummy landlords that don't give a toss about whether their tenants have hot water. It sounds like he's doing his best, YANBU to ask for a few quid off, or ask him to make alternative arrangements for access, if you're happy with the landlords agent being in the flat.

Wormulonian · 18/08/2017 14:44

Yes I would ask for a rent reduction. Having no hot water after a few days is not on. Explain about losing money for taking time of work and not being able to bathe - it needs sorting.

littlemisssweetness · 18/08/2017 14:49

Yes- 8 days is a long time as is, and if no date given already it will more then likely go into next week at a minimum

NotTheCoolMum · 18/08/2017 14:49

Is it all documented dates and times? In text messages or emails etc?

If so you're in a strong position. Especially if you have it in writing from the repair company that the boiler is broken and you have no hot water.

Original poster

Psychologika · 18/08/2017 14:54

Yes, everything is documented.

That's the issue - he's genuinely lovely and trying...but it's likely I'll be without basic amenities for two weeks! My electric bill (metered) has gone up from all the kettle-boiling!

I think I'm more frustrated with having no end date.

OP posts:

cjm10979 · 18/08/2017 15:03

I would first ask the question to yourself, if I owned this flat would the work have been quicker? If the landlord has got on to contractors quickly and contractors take their time coming to the property because they have a busy work schedule is this the landlord's fault? No, shit happens and we all have to live with it.

I was without hot water in my own mortgaged home for 3 weeks, I never considered ringing the mortgage company for a reduction in payments.

The landlord is fulfilling their duties in replacing the boiler. In terms of staying in for contractors, it depends how this is phrased in your tenancy agreement. For my tenants I say they need to be in/the key is given to a contractor if they are out (via the agency). I stay in for contractors in my own home, not for ones that come in to the home of my tenants'.

Carmichaela · 18/08/2017 15:10

Do you not have an immersion?

cjm10979 · 18/08/2017 15:11

So, I didn't finish. YWBU to ask for a rent reduction and I would say no, because you need to prove fault - that the landlord is not addressing the boiler which he clearly is. In terms of dates, you landlord is beholden to the schedule of the contractors which are not likely to give an firm commitment.

DieSchottin93 · 18/08/2017 15:18

In the last flat I was in we had no kitchen at all for the first 3 months we were there. I asked the letting agency if they could reduce the rent, since we were basically missing a room but they replied no as the rent was for the flat as a whole?!!? So while I say it's worth a try, don't be surprised if they say no

BexleyRae · 18/08/2017 15:20

In response to cmj, when a tenant rents, they are paying a premium to have a fully functional property, as the op is without basic facilities you and most definitely not BU to request a rent reduction for the days you are without hot water.

MyheartbelongstoG · 18/08/2017 15:23

I wouldn't ask for a reduction in rent.

Go to your local swimming pool for a shower.

Topsyloulou · 18/08/2017 15:38

When the heating went in my rental property & I ended up having the boiler replaced I gave the tenants £100 refund on the rent as a gesture of goodwill to make up for the upheaval of no hot water & having the plumber there so often. I think it's worth an ask, he can only say no.

Original poster

Psychologika · 18/08/2017 15:41

£6 a go at the swimming pool!

OP posts:

Emmeline123 · 18/08/2017 15:43

YWDNBU

Nuttynoo · 18/08/2017 15:45

How much do you pay in relation to the market currently & what does the tenancy agreement say? Need to be careful here, because he might be very happy to reduce rent on the condition that you always sort out any issues. Alternatively if you pay lower than market, he might be being reluctant on purpose because he knows he can get higher rent.

Nuttynoo · 18/08/2017 15:48

When our tenant had problems with water, I paid in cash for a local gym membership for them for a month. Water is a necessity.

HelenaDove · 18/08/2017 15:48

cmj thing is when you own your own home you can choose when the boiler man comes and make the appointment for your convenience People who rent cannot do that. The landlord usually makes the appointment which is why tenants have to take days off work risking their jobs in some cases. Employment rights have been eroded which adds to the stress, Nothing to stop a zero hours employer not giving a tenant any more hours if they have to keep taking time off work.

And how is the OP going to pay £6 a go at the swimming pool if she is losing money through taking time off work.

bbcessex · 18/08/2017 15:54

I would offer my tenants a partial rebate if they were without hot water for more than a couple of days.

I'd also not expect a working tenant to take X days off work to facilitate access for a repair.

I only have one flat though.. you may have less luck with an agency-multi-landlord type thing, but you are defo NBU.

BellyBean · 18/08/2017 15:57

I'd say you're looking for compensation more around being available for plumbers etc, certainly not unreasonable to ask.

PlausibleSuit · 18/08/2017 15:58

Nuttynoo's suggestion is a good one. You could always ask if the LL would consider contributing towards a month's membership at your nearest swimming pool or gym, if there's genuinely no way of moving the new boiler along quicker. As a goodwill gesture. Even if he paid half, it'd be something.

Original poster

Psychologika · 18/08/2017 16:14

Just heard back - they're coming to fit on Wednesday. That will be two weeks without hot water, and another 1.5 days off work.

I'm paying market rate zone 3 London, so not exactly cheap.

Landlord is genuinely lovely. I think I'm more miffed that he's not offered, as I think that would be appreciated as a good will gesture. I'll have had 4.5 days off work, and a load of inconvenience. It is different to being a home owner in my opinion - a portion of rent will be profit, so I guess it's a business.

OP posts:

reportPost · 18/08/2017 16:24

You should ask.

As someone who owns 4 rental properties, I'd say no.

YABU expecting a reduction when the LL has acted properly and quickly.

lemoncrisp · 18/08/2017 16:38

As a landlord, we gave our tenant money off the rent when we had to get the boiler fixed...... seemed reasonable as hot water is a basic necessity.

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