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?

Sounds like you are getting everything sorted out! Remember you achieved that through your own intelligence and initiative (yep, asking advice in a forum and following it counts as both!). You're going to be fine :)

Sometimes these things do just happen. We've had tenants move in to a property that was previously let no issues and within the 1st day multiple things go wrong things do break. So long as when you report issues they are delt with in a timely manner there is no issue.

Just took a load of washing out of the machine and it doesn't stink. It actually smells fresh.

Yay! Oh happy days

Things should be clean and work but it sounds like you're on top of it. Just need to get the landlord to sort out your toilet!

Have you checked in the washing machines rubber seal? My DPs last place before we moved in together had a machine that stank after I bleached it for him. Turned out while the place sat empty, mold had grown in the seal and turned a bit mud like. You couldn't see it but wiping the seal out produced a few handfuls. Once that was sorted the machine was fine.