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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect a prompt reply to my email?

59 replies

lill72 · 04/05/2018 10:13

I've emailed the maintenance company regarding my rental property.

DD got off toilet seat, seat slipped as one side was loose, this in turn cause the lid to slip too and crack.

they are saying we misused the toilet - ah by sitting on it?!!!

I have gone to someone higher to discuss as the maintenance guy has no clue and have no reply about this and other issues.

Some ongoing.

Where do you go from here? They are always in meetings or so they say when you call.

Can you escalate things?

I am just so frustrated about this and an ongoing issue about wood floors.

And then they give me less than 14 hours notice before coming into my property. I called them out on this.

Ugh. I want my own place!!!

any tips appreciated!!!

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 04/05/2018 12:27

Just noticed at the end of your post OP that you've said you want your own place.

Who do you think is going to come and tighten your loo seat then?

SecretSantaaaaaa · 04/05/2018 12:37

I would be replacing it myself. Always have in rented properties. I could never imagine ordering a repair for a toilet seat. That's almost like calling them out to change a lightbulb lol

blueskyinmarch · 04/05/2018 12:41

You should have tightened the loo seat when it came loose initially. It isn't hard to do.

And surely giving you that much notice to come into your property is responding quickly?

gillybeanz · 04/05/2018 12:42

Gosh, I wouldn't be so quick to want my own place if I couldn't fix a toilet seat.
It's going to cost you a fortune to have somebody maintain your own place.
I'd stay in rented if I were you, or at least start attempting maintaining the very little you'd be expected to in your present home.

AnneLovesGilbert · 04/05/2018 14:12

While what @gillybeanz said might sound a tad harsh but I have to agree.

Nearly all home owners have previously rented and in the past, even when pretty skint, we had to spend what we could afford to make the place as nice as possible. Sometimes this includes the odd loo seat or blind, in one place we were allowed to decorate so we painted and spruced it up a bit. You pay your rent to occupy the property and I've never ever known someone expect the agent or LL to do every single thing, that's not really the deal.

bakingdemon · 04/05/2018 16:03

This is wear and tear due to use so I'd say it's your responsibility to fix.

SmashedMug · 04/05/2018 16:26

Who reports a broken toilet seat? To me that's on the same level as reporting a repair to replace a lightbulb. Just replace it yourself and carry on.

LakieLady · 04/05/2018 16:27

You misused it by failing to tighten it up every now and again!

Original poster
lill72 · 04/05/2018 20:19

This toilet seat is sliding. It is not screwed on. Rather stuck on somehow. It is a nice than average one so I am guessing the cheapest wont do. They are quoting £90 to replace.

Minutopia - isnt wear and tear the LL responsibility to fix? Isnt that the point of renting?

I get it you keep things in good condition but id something happens, they fix it. Our sink plug thing wasnt working from wear and tear and they came and replaced. Toilet same thing.

They are been very tight about looking after their own wood floors. They are supposed to be oiled every 6 months or so. They did in once now flat out refuse. I have emailed 20 times saying it will cause more wear and tear and I am not going to be held responsible for this any tips on this anyone? the floor is so dry. But I think oiling the floor needs a professional

OP posts:
Original poster
lill72 · 04/05/2018 20:21

Why is is wrong to report a toilet seat that was loose? It is not screwed on probably some fancy schmancy thing. I dont know

OP posts:
Original poster
lill72 · 04/05/2018 20:22

baking -- doesnt the LL have to replace things from wear and tear? I dont agree with this

OP posts:
JustHereForThePooStories · 04/05/2018 20:26

Would you expect the landlord to replace a blown bulb?

Original poster
lill72 · 04/05/2018 20:27

The wanting to come into my house was for an annual gas check. I got an email at 4pm the day before to come to the property from 8am the next day. I objected as I had a phone job interview, was working from home, and also have terrible peri menopause symptoms causing my moods to be low ie in tears all day. So I like to know what is going on .

How can they be that disorgaised to message me so last minute about a gas check.

OP posts:
Original poster
lill72 · 04/05/2018 20:31

Just here - No. DH.

Obviously we do lots of maintenance.

But I also know they dont want to spend a penny on this place. I know as the maintenance guy knows them and told me so.

They also tried to charge us for a leak of a boiler saying it was our fault. I then heard from someone else that there had been a similar leak in the flat upstairs and there was an actual fault with the boiler. Soon as I said this, funnily never heard about the boiler again.

So the upshot is these people will try it on.

OP posts:
LotsToThinkOf · 04/05/2018 20:42

Wear and tear is one thing, damage because it wasn't looked after is completely different. You should have done something about it before it got to the point of breaking.

The gas check may have been organised with very little notice because it was the first available slot and the LL thought sooner was better. As you would with a gas check.

Why are you being so difficult?

Original poster
lill72 · 04/05/2018 20:50

It's a top fixing toilet I think. Any idea how to fix these?

OP posts:
Original poster
lill72 · 04/05/2018 20:53

Lots to think of just told you why it is difficult to have someone at short notice. I have two young DD , one who is with me some days, I work from home, was supposed to have an interview from home, i have low mood from peri menopause meaning i have been in tears all day. I also am sleep deprived with my DD so as much notice for all these reasons is ideal. the flat is tiny in London so I cant be in another wing while they do the work.

OP posts:
SmashedMug · 04/05/2018 21:05

Tbf, I wouldn't like that little notice either for a gas check. It's supposed to be at least 24 hours. Not the evening before the morning they want to come. The landlord isn't doing OP a favour by arranging it the way some people seem to make out on threads like this.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 05/05/2018 07:09

Minutopia - isnt wear and tear the LL responsibility to fix? Isnt that the point of renting? Yes, AT THE END OF THE TENANCY. During the tenancy loo seats are like light bulbs, the tenant's issue! You are confusing 'broken' with FWT. Landlords fix things that get broken. They don't put FWT right as an ongoing thing, during a tenancy. They get to put it right at their own cost once you have moved out!

You called them out for a plug... a sink plug? I am assuming it is one of those push/plunge plugs rather than a plug on chain! That would make more sense.

As for the floor, if they choose to leave it and you have emails then you will win that argument. If they do try to claim from you contact your nearest AIIC clerk and ask them to quote you the AIIC guidelines on wooden floors, kitchen worktops etc. At arbitration the landlord will be told that it was his to maintain!

Gas check - yes, you should have had more notice, but they can be last minute. Your phone interview, kids, lack of sleep and hormonal issues are not their problem, until you say no and ask them to rearrange. So you just say no, and ask them to rearrange!

Boilers can be contentious, most LLs will try to say it;s the Ts fault, because a lot if the time boiler issues are down to misuse, twiddling with the settings. Not all the time and, as yours went away when challenged, they aren't all that bad!

You need to get your head round the fact that whilst your LL has to maintain the place you also have to act in a tenant like manner. Which includes early notification of issues and upkeep of the 'consumables'.

A quick Google should help you with the loo seat replacement. If it is a tricksy one, and I have seen a lot that are, then yes, keep on at them. But chances are 15 minutes with a screwdriver will be all it takes.

Sorry that was a bit long. I'll take my Clerking head away now Smile

Bluelady · 05/05/2018 07:16

Dear God, are people really this clueless these days? Can't tighten a loose loo seat and won't replace it when they break it and ask the landlord to do it? If you can't handle such basic maintenance, you probably shouldn't buy a house, OP.

insancerre · 05/05/2018 07:19

I really really don't understand why you just didn't tighten the toilet seat yourself when it first became loose?
Why didn't you do that?

Marriedwithchildren5 · 05/05/2018 07:28

I agree if they're going to put these silly gimmick things in rental property it is on them to sort it! However, you need a toilet seat! Try YouTube to see if you can fix it or send the email which requires an answer in so many days.

You may have to bite the bullet and spend a stupid amount of money on a seat! Sometimes you have to help yourself in life.

scottishdiem · 05/05/2018 07:33

I rent in Dublin just now. When my toilet seat became loose I tightened it up. I am unclear as to what this was not done.

Lovemusic33 · 05/05/2018 07:38

I don’t think the toilet seat is the responsibility of the landlord? I think your being a bit stupid tbh. I have replaced many toilet seats whilst in a rented property, would never think to phone the landlord and get them to do it, it’s hardly a big job and they usually break due to people using them (general wear and tear).

Just buy a new toilet seat and find something worthwhile to moan about.

strongerthan · 05/05/2018 07:39

I expect a prompt reply?

But hang on ... oh you need a gas check, don't do that promptly will you?

Jesus Christ no pleasing some people

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