to expect a rental flat to be in decent condition when I move in?

[chakra2]

I'm a single mum to a 15 month old. Horribly abused by my little one's sociopath father. Moved to what I thought was a secure, long-term rental flat to start a new life. The flat is part of what's called a Build To Rent development where flats are built specifically for long-term tenants. Sort of like a housing association but much more expensive.
I moved in yesterday.
First time I used the toilet I noticed water suddenly started trickling into the toilet bowl. I expected it to stop. 10 hours later the water was still constantly trickling and now the toilet wouldn't flush at all either.
I opened the washing machine door and noticed it STANK. Silly me, I put a load of washing on. An hour later I noticed the flat was freezing cold. The washing machine had tripped out the heating system. Now, the heating system and the washing machine refused to switch on.
Called maintenance & they sent a guy who said the toilet is beyond repair and it's up to the landlord's to replace various parts.
He said the washing machine had tripped the heating. He tried to open the washing machine door and the door handle broke off in his hand.
He showed me a way to open and close the washing machine door so I can still use it. Maintenance guy confirmed that the heating system is pretty shit and that most of the toilets in the development do this constant trickling thing.
I decided to give the washing machine another try. Put some clothes in. The cycle finished and I noticed the clothes were freezing cold even though I'd done a 40 degree wash. Looks like the heating element in the washing machine has died. Took my clothes out and they STANK so much that I feel like vomiting even remembering the stench. I think I will have to throw the clothes away as I wasn't able to clean away the stench even after hand-washing everything.

I know I tend to overreact to things ever since I got PTSD from the abusive relationship. But I feel really depressed right now. I feel like I got cheated, thinking this would be a lovely flat when I'm starting to think it's kind of a gross flat. I do not know how I am going to cope with no functional washing machine given that I have a very young child. I feel this is not good enough. Especially given that this flat is expensive.

Or am i overreacting.

If this was you, what would you do?

I actually think the washing machine should be replaced. Apparently it's been here for 7 years so surely it's time for a replacement?

If you are paying for a furnished flat insist the landlord gets the electrics sorted and replaces the machine. Take your washing to the local laundrette and get it washed through again - it won't permanently stink.

@stoneofdestiny

It's an unfurnished flat that comes with all white goods (i.e. fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher etc provided by landlord.

I think the landlord will want to replace the faulty heating element. But is just replacing the heating element going to get rid of the hideous stench inside the washing machine and make it useable again?

The fridge bloody STINKS even though it looks clean and the dishwasher stinks bad as well, even though I've cleaned it and cleaned the filter. I'm suspecting whoever lived here before me was quite filthy.

I will take my clothes to the local laundrette I guess. Nowhere where it is but hope it is within walking distance

Get the landlord round to smell the white goods - it could be they have been stored empty with doors shut.

Washing machines rinse with cold waster, so stuff comes out cold whatever temperature you washed at.

Have you tried running it through a really hot wash with one of those washing machine cleaner solutions in?

Get yourself a big bag of soda crystals, white vinegar, Dettol laundry cleanser and a dishwasher cleaner. Use all of the above that will sort the washing machine and dishwasher smells, give the fridge a scrub with bleach. It's not the end of the world.

@LionelRitchieStoleMyNotebook

It may not be the end of the world but like I said, the washing machine is not functional and that is my main concern. I've already used soda crystals and various other things to try to clean the washing machine. It still STINKS. I just did a test wash with some items I'm not bothered about and after they emerged the smell is so disgusting that it almost makes you want to vomit

@Tojigornot
So the issue might not be the heating element then?

I tried doing a 60 degree wash with a washing machine cleaner by Dettol.
Also did the same thing using white vinegar. The machine still stinks. I don't get it.

@StoneofDestiny

I think you're right about the fridge etc being stored empty with the door shut. The flat was vacant for 2 months + I think

Then they are bound to stink and probably have mould. Lots of cleaning materials out there to deal with it - but I'd get the landlord round to look at (smell) the situation and prioritise the electrics.

Washing machines should last for way longer than 7 years. Clean it with bleach and a hot wash. Mine smelled like sewerage but once I cleaned it, it has been fine.

@zsazajuju

Would you recommend bleach and a 90 degree wash?

I guess this was your new shiney start, and these problems have taken the gloss of it a bit. I agree the flat should be in good working order. Possibly the out going tenant didn’t tell the landlord about these things, and they weren’t obvious until you use them.

Hopefully the landlord can get them all fixed soon, and then your new life can properly begin.

Definitely a 90 deg wash

@Loveislandaddict . Thank you hun. I'm sure it can all be sorted. At least I bloody hope so.
I'm so panicked these days

I'm sorry this is happening to you. I moved into my current rental when I was about 35 weeks pregnant and everything was mouldy, I spent 4 weeks solidly cleaning it while my DH was stuck abroad working. It's so hard when you're by yourself and all these problems after problems keep coming up. I ended up buying a new fridge freezer and tumble dryer, and putting them in the living room, because the white goods had the same issue. It's 4 months later, starting to get very cold, and the heating still doesn't work reliably.

It's soul destroying especially when you have a baby and you want to make a perfect home for them. I hope they can sort your house out soon.

About the toilet, have you taken the cistern lid off? It might be as simple as moving the plug that (supposedly) stops the water going down, sounds like all the toilet issues are down to the plug chain being too long but I may be wrong as I'm not enormously technical.

With the washing machine, have you tried removing the powder drawer, then kneeling down to look up at the 'ceiling' of it? When people use liquid detergent it can bung up the holes that the water comes through, which then quickly go mouldy and absolutely reek. Neat bleach, old toothbrush, vigorous scrubbing, followed by a boil wash with soda crystals can fix it. The wash won't make any difference without scrubbing the mould off first though.

The washing machine probably only smells because its been empty with the door closed for a while. Especially because its been summer and its been hot. Just use something to clean it and do a wash cycle.

Wash your clothes at a laundrette before throwing them all out.

The fuse probably just tripped.

Did you open the lid of the toilet cistern to check if the flush was still attached? Its quite easy yourself to just replace the flush if its faulty and quicker than waiting for someone else to do it.

I think a lot of these things are because you've just moved in and aren't used to the flat.

First you need to clean you washingachines filter. Then put a cup of soda in the drum and fill up to maximum the softener compartment with white vinegar, full empty cycle highest temperature available. It worked with mine, I still do it once a month for maintenance. After the cycle is finished, clean the filter again

Kind of crap it'd be rented in that situation, but sadly very common.

Do you feel able to put your foot down regarding the washing machine? A broken handle and stinking to high heaven isn't acceptable.

do everything everyone has suggested, but take the clothes to the laundromat and once washed hang out in the sun and wind, that will remove the smell, as often rewashing wont remove the smell, white vinegar and soda are your friend here

My washing machine is over 12 years old I think and it works fine but I did have the heating element replaced a few years ago I think.

I imagine it would stick though if it wasn't used for 2 months+. It a gross after a week on holiday. It think it's the rubber. Annoying about the dettol cleaner not working as that's been fine for me before. Yes go for the hottest wash it can do.

Fridge is annoying too. Have you done a bowl of bircarb to soak up the horrible smell?

To some previous posters, the op states that she has tried many things to clean the washing machine. I think that 42 and counting might be on to something with the drawer and the roof of it. What about the rubber seal on the door? Of the little drain holes are blocked it can get mouldy. I had my mil give me her old machine and I used that Dettol mould and mildew spray and then gently used a toothpick to clear the holes.

I think you need to speak to your landlord asap re the heating. You want it fixed now before it gets too cold.

I can see why you're upset, someone else mentioned that this has taken the shine off your new start. Remind yourself of how far you have come. You have been through worse, and you'll get through this.

Pp have given you some good tips. Going forward to avoid future problems with washing machine / dishwasher - once they've finished their cycles and are empty, leave the doors open for a while to let the inside dry. I do the same with my microwave too. Never have any mould or rust issues here.

I hope you get sorted

Thanks all. Out of frustration I ran two back to back 90 degree cycles with bleach in the washing machine during the night. The result = it doesn't stink now. There's a very mild smell of mildew left.

To respond to some of the questions/suggestions:

I don't think the fridge is going to be a problem. As well as thoroughly cleaning it I've had a dish of baking soda sat in there for a couple of days now and the stench is disappearing.

The dishwasher smells grotesque but it is actually clean. It may sort of need airing out.

The toilet is one of those integrated thingies so there's no access for me to the cistern. I'm so unskilled at DIY I'd probably break it by mistake if I even did have access.

My previous two homes were actually new builds where I was the first person to ever live there so I guess I've gotten used to lovely brand-new appliances and so on. Plus I'm in an emotional state where pretty much everything triggers me.

Thanks for your warm wishes @WhatTiggersDoBest and @Sunnysidegold and everyone else.

Try wiping the fridge with vanilla. A little bit in water and wipe the inside surfaces. You can also put some vanilla extract on a cotton ball and place in the fridge.