Is being left without water for a month within reasonable for SH?

[Cantaffordnotto]

SH and ancient internally rusted tap. I can't get the cassette out to replace the washer. Two plumbers have been and both have said they can't get it out either and it needs to be a new (mixer) tap.
Landlord's first available appointment to investigate only (not repair) has been set for last day of June.(booked)

Possibly as a result of trying to get cassette out, the tap has now gone from dripping when turned off, to a continuous fast dribbling, and it's running back down the outside of the spout of the tap and leaking through the (equally old rusting) draining board into the floor. (have tried diverting it unsuccessfully)
The only way to stop it damaging the floor is to turn the tap on and leave it on 24/7 or to turn water off at stopcock.
I'm disabled and not able to get at the stopcock. So if they turn it off, it stays off.
A plumber is being dispatched to 'make safe' as an emergency call out, with the warning they'll probably just turn the water off and I'll be left without a water supply until at least the end of June, but most likely it will be up to the last week of July for a second appointment if their plumber agrees with the other two.

Landlord's saying absolute best they can possibly do.
Is it reasonable?*
Is there anything I can do?

*As well as physical disability I also have Chron's disease and am anxious about how that's going to work out without a flushable toilet which may be making me unreasonable.)

& EggysMom

I'm obviously not able to see your tap. But, any plumber should be able to turn the water off at the stopcock and then replace the pipe after the stopcock to put a new stopcock in. They are called isolator valves and you turn them on and off with a flat headed screwdriver.

Even if they just fit one of those as a temporary measure it should be relatively easy for you to turn the water on and off as you need it.

But a new mixer tap is about £40 from screwfix and any decent plumber should be able to attach it to the old pipe.

Totally unacceptable to be without sanitation. Tell your landlord he gets a plumber there within 24 hours or you will check into a hotel and deduct the cost from the rent until it is fixed.

We own a property we rent out and when the hot water tank started leaking and needed replacing we paid for an emergency plumber and put them up in a hotel until it was sorted. Have you got a copy of your contract, the legal obligations of the landlord in this kind of situation should be laid out.

Thank you all so much. It sounds stupid but you do start to doubt yourself when they act like YABU and this is normal because you're SH.
I now know what to ask for as a more acceptable temporary fix.

If you wrap a strip of fabric tightly the tap a couple of times and leave the end hanging down into the sink such that it doesn't touch the edge of the sink, the leaking water should run down it into the sink rather than down the rest of the tap.

Obviously this doesn't solve the problem of the broken tap and the arsehole landlord though.

That is appalling, OP.

Have you spoken to your housing officer? They can kick ass with the contractors and get it sorted.

Bit late in the day, but you need to contact environmental health if they've left you without water. And put in a complaint.

If your supply is metered, and the tap won't turn off, they should compensate you for the wasted water, too.

I can't believe they're seriously suggesting this.

I used to live in SH properties and always had a contact I could call/e-Mail if needed. Is there someone at SH you can get in touch with?

this is normal because you're SH

I cannot stand when people say this. But I know why you do. Your home should be safe, accessible and comfortable. Maybe more money buys you oak flooring and marble tiles. It absolutely, never ever buys you basic standards.

FWIW I regularly have conversations with staff about how the level we expect isn't 'good enough' it's 'excellent'. That makes sure we never fall below 'good enough'.

Sorry

No, not at all! Personally I would go as far as to say that if they can't get there until the end of June that you can consider having someone out to look at it, get the bill and deduct the amount from your rent. You might find saying that makes the landlord somehow able to come up with something sooner. There is no reason they can't arrange a plumber to come out before then. Water is a basic human right and over a month is far too long to go without.

SoupDragon Thanks, I did try something similar and it did slow it down but even a lot of fabric gets overwhelmed in a couple of hours and down the back it goes.

Absolutely not on. As others have said they can isolate the faulty tap. How does your SH work @Cantaffordnotto ? Are you with a housing association?

MrsTerryPratchett That's actually put a lump in my throat. Your tenants are lucky.

Lovingspring yes it's HA ( I thought all social housing was?)

Email them and say you want it in writing that they intend to leave you with no water supply to your flat for a month.

They will suddenly want to sort it out pdq ime!

You can’t live like that!

I was on the phone being told they were not BU when I first posted for a 2nd opinion.
Thanks to you lovely posters laying it on the line, I've stood my ground that turning water off at the stopcock really isn't ok for someone with Chron's.
When the plumber comes to 'make safe' (up to midnight) I shall be insisting on a minimum of fitting an isolation valve and turning that off.

I've stood my ground that turning water off at the stopcock really isn't ok for someone with Chron's

It isn't acceptable or legal to leave anyone without water for a month, let alone a vulnerable person. It's a serious health hazard. I suspect that the HA's argument would be that they haven't left you without water for a month, they have left you with a leak for a month, which isn't a health hazard, and YOU chose to have the water supply turned off because you don't want the tap leaking and could turn it on and off as needed No matter that you would be left to deal with the damage and pay (or put in an insurance claim) for any damage to your personal possessions eg flooring. I doubt they would be in a hurry to fix any damage to things that they are responsible for either eg the floorboards, kitchen units etc.

Glad you got it sorted!

I came in to say absolutely unacceptable but I can see you’re standing your ground now.
I have crohns and they should be prioritising getting this repaired on the grounds of your disability.

@Cantaffordnotto Ok sorry I thought some people rented their houses out to social housing tenants, a friend does but thinking about it, it is probably through a housing association. Have you contacted them in writing? Ask for a reply in writing. I hope you get it fixed very soon. I am sure they cannot leave you with no water for a month.

When I worked for the council's emergency homelessness department, we used to have to find accommodation for people who had certain emergency repair issues that couldn't be fixed within 24hrs - that included either no running water, or no flushable toilet. Both is terrible!
It was standard that we had to offer accommodation, which could be in our emergency accommodation hostel (nicer than it sounds) or paying for a b&b.
That was regardless of the needs of who lived in the property, it wasn't relevant about having a disability it's just basic standards. If they don't repair it in a way that leaves you with running water and a usable loo, then contact your local councils emergency homeless number and ask for advice. As pps have said, no running water means the house is unfit for habitation.

completely unacceptable of course. Decent private landlords have insurance which accommodates tenants somewhere temporary if facilities have to be cut off, (even if just a hotel) plus home emergency cover to sort it. And crap private landlords can be reported to the council so there is (allegedly) some kind of enforcement.

Housing associations are subject to much lower standards - for example, the recent electrical regs don't apply to them. And councils don't enforce on their own suppliers. It is appalling - ref recent reports on Croydon. Shelter and their pals don't see this because it doesn't fit their actual agenda - remember they are the housing charity that provides no housing.

If your 'plumbers' couldn't see the obvious solution then they need their own spanners fed to them. Take no prisoners on making sure the stopcock is fitted and a permanent repair made ASAP. There should be a complaints procedure.

I don't say this lightly but go on social media and demand a resolution quickly, get it retweeted. They are being ridiculous

why did you engage the plumbers; isn't that the landlord's responsibility.
suggest you contact local councillor, any relevant local charities/ support groups for crohns/disability issues.
can you email head honcho at HA.
what about local radio/press.
hope it gets sorted.

Like others have said I cant believe a plumber would rather turn off your stopcock rather than fit an isolation valve

It took my non plumber OH 10 minutes to fit one and they are a coupe of quid

I suggest you ring the water company to explain why your bill is going to be higher - they might offer a reduction as it isn't your fault there's a delay. They might put pressure on your landlord too. (And if you haven't already, you can get cheaper water if you have certain health conditions.) Good luck!

Sorry I can’t respond to everyone, but I really appreciate the time people have taken to give opinions and information.

To everyone whose said demand things in writing, they never admit anything in writing, just respond by saying they’ll send someone to investigate.

alexdgr8 Landlords insisted that as the thing causing the leak is a worn out washer it’s my responsibility to get it fixed.
I told them I had already tried and couldn’t get the cassette out to get at the washer. They said not their problem, so after more trying, I called plumber 1, who told me I needed plumber 2.

murblurb Housing associations are subject to much lower standards - for example, the recent electrical regs don't apply to them. And councils don't enforce on their own suppliers.
Both those things, and second one is by far the biggest problem! Is that definite about the recent electrical regs? It would explain something that was a surprise.