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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect my tenants to understand?

354 replies

Littleelffriend · 24/10/2017 18:45

I own a flat which I rent out. I wanted to sell it but no takers so I’m stuck . The rent doesn’t cover the mortgage but better than nothing. I got new tenants 5 months ago, lovely couple no issues.
Since they moved in there have been numerous problems. The roof started leaking, I got it fixed within 3 days. The cooker broke, I ordered them a new one straight away. They blocked the toilet with wipes, I paid for an emergency plumber the same day.
They called Friday and said they had no heating or hot water. I had an engineer out within 2 hours. He said he had to order a part which would be here today. It’s the wrong part, and it won’t be fixed until Friday now so a week of no heating or hot water. Totally shit, no argument from me. But my tenants are now being crap about it, going on about how frustrating it is. I know it’s frustrating, but these things happen and I’ve done my best. Aibu to wish they would be a bit more understanding?

OP posts:
MyBrilliantDisguise · 24/10/2017 18:47

Is there an electric shower?

Pengggwn · 24/10/2017 18:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Neolara · 24/10/2017 18:48

Until it's fixed, can they use an immersion heater? That's what we did when the boiler packed in and it took a while to get the right part.

grannysmiff · 24/10/2017 18:49

You should have made sure your flat was flawless before renting it out.

You should now be paying for them to move onto an airbnb temporarily.

Tenants rights in the uk are shocking.

stormnigel · 24/10/2017 18:49

I can see it from your point of view...you’ve responded quickly now and in the past. But hot water in particular is fairly essential and a week without is a bit of a nightmare...not insurmountable but a major inconvenience. I’d be pissed off too.
That said you’ve said it will be fixed and told them when, there is no point in them moaning.

lalalonglegs · 24/10/2017 18:49

While I don't think it's your fault, I'd be whining if I hadn't had heating or hot water for five days. I think you just have to paint on a smile and apologise.

riceuten · 24/10/2017 18:49

Ask yourself the same question. Would you be happy in this situation?

bestwayforward · 24/10/2017 18:49

I presume that you have provided another form of heating? A fan heater. Sounds like you have done everything you could do.

munchkinmaster · 24/10/2017 18:52

When my boiler broke the boiler was under a service plan so British gas left me a fan heater for the week. Was pretty fair. I think you should do the same.

riceuten · 24/10/2017 18:52

Tenants rights in the uk are shocking

Landlords’ attitude is shocking, more like. No doubt tenants should be pathetically grateful for some Sub-Rachmanite lessor to allow them to even look at their property

LIZS · 24/10/2017 18:52

It isn't exactly cold at the moment. You have done your best. As long as they have hot water - shower or immersion heater perhaps - they can't really complain for sake f 2 more days.

YellowMakesMeSmile · 24/10/2017 18:54

I'd have billed them for the toilet as they caused the damage.

If you have done all you can then they can't complain.

Given the amount of things gone wrong since they moved especially the toilet I'd be looking for new tenants as soon as you can.

Reppin · 24/10/2017 18:54

I assume you are giving them a rent rebate for the period they have been without heating/hot water?

icelollycraving · 24/10/2017 18:56

I don't think no heating is a big problem, it's still reasonably warm. That is unless they are elderly, disabled or have young children.
A reduction in rent for a week perhaps?
If they get arsey I'd remind them you paid for a plumber when they blocked the loo with wipes and so there needs to be a bit of give.
Is there an electric shower?

picklemepopcorn · 24/10/2017 18:57

But it takes time to sort these things out! Homeowners have to live without heating for a week occasionally, how should it be different for tenants?

somewheresorted · 24/10/2017 18:57

Exactly Reppin the point is they're paying rent which is meant to include a working boiler which clearly it isn't.

I take it you're a LL Lizs?

AlexsMum89 · 24/10/2017 19:00

Honestly $h't happens. I had to rent for many years, and don't get me wrong I hated it. Occasionally something had to be done or something broke and as long as the landlord was reasonable about fixing it I would be fine. You're getting it sorted asap, you're doing your best. It's a rented house not a blooming hotel.
If you'd ignored the problem and messed them about I'd be saying something different but sometimes you just have to be practical.
Sheesh.

Tapandgo · 24/10/2017 19:01

I'd bill them for the toilet as they are responsible. I'd discount their rent for the days the heating shower isn't working and provide some fan heaters.

LIZS · 24/10/2017 19:05

No somewhere I'm not, although was for a short while when we moved abroad. I don't think waiting a couple more days for heating when the weather is mild should be an issue for 2 healthy adults. We only just put our heating on this weekend. As householders we've had to wait a week or more in the past to resolve similar issues. The hot water may be an issue though, if there are no other sources. Perhaps op could offer a rent reduction for the inconvenience.

monkeywithacowface · 24/10/2017 19:06

"Homeowners have to live without heating for a week occasionally, how should it be different for tenants?"

I think the clue is in the word homeowner Pickle. The tenants are effectively paying for a product and are not getting all that they are paying for. You wouldn't accept no heating or hot water for 5 days in a holiday rental so I don't see why this is acceptable. A rent reduction would be fair.

Bubblebubblepop · 24/10/2017 19:07

It takes time to sort these things out- there are many reasons why things can't be fixed immediately. Provided you're not dicking them around- and it doesn't sound as though you are- YANBU

namechangealways · 24/10/2017 19:10

It's not the heating that's the major problem, it's the lack of a shower!

Glumglowworm · 24/10/2017 19:10

typical LL that expects to rake in the money and not actually have to do anything for it

You are aware that you haven't been doing them some massive favour by getting things fixed? That you're legally obliged to maintain your property fit for them to live in?

Of course the tennants are frustrated! Theyve had no hot water for a week!

YABU

abbsisspartacus · 24/10/2017 19:12

I'm a housing association (former council) tenant you respond faster than them for call outs

Judydreamsofhorses · 24/10/2017 19:13

We rent and our landlord is super, but a couple of years ago we had the shower then the boiler go in quick succession, and it was really, really frustrating. The 6am baths were just about bearable, but having to have ice cold showers (no immersion heater) was horrendous, although we were lucky it was summer. (We didn’t ask for a discount in rent, but when the cooker went previously the landlord did “gift” us money so we could have meals out while we were waiting on the part which I thought was a really nice gesture.)