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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:
BewareOfDragons · 24/10/2017 19:13

They blocked the toilet with wipes? I hope you billed them for the call out and fix.

The cooker; happens to people living in their own homes, too, without warning.

Boiler? They should be offered an immersion heater and space heaters if it's cold while the part is on order.

I think it sounds like you're doing the best you can: you've been responsive and gotten people there in quickly, even for a problem they ACTIVELY caused.

MamaOfTwos · 24/10/2017 19:14

OP you sound like a responsible and reasonable landlord. I'd have billed them for blocking the toilet as everyone knows wipes aren't flushable at all. It's unfortunate and I'd perhaps offer them a £50 rent reduction as a goodwill gesture? Landlords here always get a rough ride

expatinscotland · 24/10/2017 19:15

I'd be seriously peeved if I had no shower for a week. If you have an electric shower, fair enough.

0nesie · 24/10/2017 19:15

You're joking right? You're tenants are paying (probably huge sums of money) for quiet enjoyment of their home. As a landlord it is your legal responsibility to fix issues and having no heating or hot water means they aren't getting a service that their rent pays for. Of course it is not your fault that a part has broken (although it makes me wonder how much you have maintained your property and its parts over the years) but if I were the tenant I would be expecting some sort of rent rebate for the days when they don't have use of the hot water or heating or at least an apology on your part.

Landlords think they are doing tenants a favour by fixing things but it is actually your legal responsibility and they are your customers, treat them with some respect and get your faulty goods fixed asap!

MargaretCavendish · 24/10/2017 19:19

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 don't really understand here. You agree that it is 'shit' that the plumber ordered the wrong part, leaving them without water for an extra three days - but them saying it's frustrating is 'crap'? Have they actually demanded a rent reduction or similar? It seems like you're expecting them not only to live without hot water for a week but to be cheery about it!

UserXRay29 · 24/10/2017 19:20

My wife and I once went without hot water for six months (during the winter) before the boiler was fixed. These days I'd be ringing the landlord daily! A week is nothing.

Blueemeraldagain · 24/10/2017 19:21

My DP and I were left without a shower (no bath) for 7 weeks in March. I posted on here looking for advice on how best to request (not demand) a discount on our rent and got told very firmly that IWBU. I'm glad attitudes seem to have changed.

In truth all you can do is smile, nod, apologise and get it sorted ASAP. I'd put up with a little complaining.

HaHaHmm · 24/10/2017 19:21

You're going to get an absolute pasting, OP. Landlords are really unpopular on MN.

I sympathise that the situation was out of your control but the onus is on you to provide a decent home. It would be an appropriate goodwill gesture to refund your tenants part of this month's rent.

GasLightShining · 24/10/2017 19:21

The OP has said the rent does not cover the mortgage so fail to see ho she is raking it in

The OP has tried to deal with it promptly. It's October not December.

As far as no hot water. Do what I have had to do in the past and boil a kettle. Some tenants would still be waiting for their landlord to even call someone

sinceyouask · 24/10/2017 19:21

I don't think you deserve any particular praise for getting things fixed quickly when they break- that's just what landlords should do. I can understand your tenants complaining about broken boiler, although if they have another source of hot water for a shower (I have lived in houses where the shower ran off the boiler) they should be ok, it's not so cold that heating is urgently needed.
I think being so irritated by their unhappiness at the situation is a bit off, tbh, and listing the ways in which you have done what a landlord is required to do as if they are special favours and not your basic duty is weird.

mirime · 24/10/2017 19:21

The rent doesn’t cover the mortgage but better than nothing.

@Glumglowworm, yes, clearly the op is raking it in.

BertieBotts · 24/10/2017 19:22

Isn't there some kind of law covering hot water in rental properties?

sinceyouask · 24/10/2017 19:23

And the fact that a landlord who does respond to problems is seen as particularly good rather than the norm highlights the problems we have with housing in this country.

LaurieFairyCake · 24/10/2017 19:25

If there was an electric shower but no heating and no water Id be fine with your solution OP.

If there was no way to get clean for work I’d have moved into a hotel - there’s NO WAY I’d go to work without a shower for a week.

And I would be asking for air b n b costs, or gym membership for a week so I could shower.

Even in the depths of winter I wouldn’t care about heating as I’d use an electric fire but I could not cope with being filthy

Rachie1973 · 24/10/2017 19:26

My Landlord has a British Gas landlord insurance thingy. Its ace! He gave me the policy number so if it all goes horribly wrong I just ring them direct, they have virtually rebuilt my boiler over the last few years lol. They always have all the parts too!

Now I also own a house that we rent out, I have invested in the same policy. Worth their weight in gold

Outnotdown · 24/10/2017 19:27

I am both a tenant renting a property and a landlord, renting out a house that is unsuitable for my needs. I think you have been responsive and decent. A week without hot water is inconvenient, and that's all.

OrlandoMusc · 24/10/2017 19:29

I'd second a bit of landlord cover on boilers and maybe white goods. Not cheap when you're already on a loss, but can be cheaper than ad hoc emergency call outs and parts.

MatildaTheCat · 24/10/2017 19:30

Fucking hell, the OP has done all she can to fix the issue. She's sorry and upset but she's not magic. Tenants and homeowners all sometimes have to face maintenance issues. She has responded quickly and reasonably.

They are entitled to feel fed up but there is no more she can do.

When I had a similar problem I refunded the tenants £100 which they were very surprised and grateful about.

To those saying 'install an immersion heater,' do you even know what one is?? Ours is a great big thing housed in a large airing cupboard and are certainly not a routine appliance in a flat.

Typical LL bashing from people who despise ALL LL regardless.

NeedsAsockamnesty · 24/10/2017 19:30

A week without hot water is fairly normal when you know the bit to fix it is on its way

Ecureuil · 24/10/2017 19:33

A week without heating... fine. A week without hot water is an absolute pain in the arse.
Our boiler broke in a rental when we had a 2 month old baby and the part was going to take 3 days. Our lovely landlord paid for us to stay in a local hotel for 2 nights.

OrlandoMusc · 24/10/2017 19:33

A week without hot water is fairly normal when you know the bit to fix it is on its way

I agree, but I recall a time when we were on a REALLY low budget, renting. A week without hot water would have meant boiling the kettle for washing up and I'd have been worrying all week about topping up the lecky. Where a good boiler although not free did a sink full for less. So I can see how some people might struggle and be a bit of a pest.

Katedotness1963 · 24/10/2017 19:33

I had this problem, my landlady lent us a heater until the heating was fixed.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 24/10/2017 19:33

How exactly is the roof needing fixing the tennants fault Confused

Heating isn't really a biggy atm but no hot water for a week is crap. Been there done that twice: when we first bought our house and couldn't afford to get a new boiler - for three months - during winter. Then last year for a few weeks while our Gas Engineer tried his best to save said boiler. I'm willing to put up with that because it's my house that we've bought but as a tennant - nope.

eurochick · 24/10/2017 19:34

I’d have charged them for the cost of sorting the toilet but would offer them something for the lack of hot water. Maybe the equivalent of the daily cost of each of them using the showers at the local gym plus a bit for inconvenience.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 24/10/2017 19:35

Ffs I meant tenants not the Scottish larger.