Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

HA - no hot water?

41 replies

Sameshitdifferentdayx · 11/08/2023 12:38

Didn't know where to put this.. so thought here would be the best place, I'm not a huge poster.

We are HA.. my boiler broke Wednesday and had been leaking (flooded all my worktops!) whilst I was out.
Called them out and was put on 24 hour emergency, they come within 2 hours and they said a pipe had emploded and they need to wait on the part to then come and fix it but need to isolate the boiler to just cold water. He said to leave the boiler off completely until it had stopped dripping/leaking.. which is still currently off because it's still leaking just not as much!
I have 3 DC. All under 9, youngest being 3. I have been without hot water since Wednesday 5pm and they've told me they can come out next Tuesday morning at the earliest to sort it.
Just wondering if I'm right to be miffed about this, and whether there was any rules or regs regarding having no hot water?! It's not the end if the world but I'm curious and fed up. Have no family locally etc to use theirs.

Yes I have a kettle, and I've been told to use this but isn't ideal! Also got told I have heating, because y'know, I need that on during August - and the boilers off anyway!! 🙄🥴

Any advice/help appreciated.
Thank you.

OP posts:
IamAlso4eels · 11/08/2023 12:46

Not hot water at any time of year is an emergency and the HA should make all reasonable efforts for it to be resolved within 24hrs otherwise they're in breach of the Landlord & Tenancy Act 1985 and the Fitness for Human Habitation Act 2018. You'd be entitled to request compensation (e.g., a rent reduction) because of this. They should provide alternative sources of hot water such as water heaters and, again, you can request a rent reduction due to the additional cost of using these.

Squeaky wheel gets the grease, OP so get back onto them and be a squeaky wheel.

SuperSange · 11/08/2023 12:56

Yup, get off here and onto them. I'd be calling them at the start and end of every day for updates. Nobody on here can help you.

Theunamedcat · 11/08/2023 12:58

Sometimes you need to suck it up and wait it out do you at least have a shower?

Ginmonkeyagain · 11/08/2023 12:59

Sounds like they have made reasonable efforts though. They came out quickly assessed it and ordered a part.

We are homeowners and last February our boiler (which runs the hot water and heating) broke. It took five days to get it fixed as we needed a new fan.

It is summer so surely filling a bowl with hot water from the kettle or stove and having a strip wash will be ok - not great but ok.

Original poster
Sameshitdifferentdayx · 11/08/2023 13:00

Theunamedcat · 11/08/2023 12:58

Sometimes you need to suck it up and wait it out do you at least have a shower?

No, I have 0 hot water unless I boil a kettle. I'm sucking it up as much as I can!

OP posts:
Original poster
Sameshitdifferentdayx · 11/08/2023 13:01

IamAlso4eels · 11/08/2023 12:46

Not hot water at any time of year is an emergency and the HA should make all reasonable efforts for it to be resolved within 24hrs otherwise they're in breach of the Landlord & Tenancy Act 1985 and the Fitness for Human Habitation Act 2018. You'd be entitled to request compensation (e.g., a rent reduction) because of this. They should provide alternative sources of hot water such as water heaters and, again, you can request a rent reduction due to the additional cost of using these.

Squeaky wheel gets the grease, OP so get back onto them and be a squeaky wheel.

Thank you! 😊

OP posts:
Ginmonkeyagain · 11/08/2023 13:01

It might be easier to heat a big pan of water on the stove? That is what we did.

Original poster
Sameshitdifferentdayx · 11/08/2023 13:02

SuperSange · 11/08/2023 12:56

Yup, get off here and onto them. I'd be calling them at the start and end of every day for updates. Nobody on here can help you.

I have called a few times but get told nothing they can do! I understand nobody can help. I was asking for advice as stated. That's all ☺️ thank you.

OP posts:
SuperSange · 11/08/2023 13:04

Of course there's something they can do, but you accept it if you like. Sheesh. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. Ask them, if there's nothing they can do, who are you paying your rent to? Why are you paying it?

DillyDilly · 11/08/2023 13:04

Even if you privately owned, it may not be be possible to have a similar issue fixed any quicker.

You’d still have to organize an emergency call out, etc and still have to wait for a part.

It is annoying though.

Original poster
Sameshitdifferentdayx · 11/08/2023 13:04

If nothing can be done I shall just do this - I'm all out of ideas. Just have 3 grubby sweaty children who've had suncream on and need a proper scrub, was at my last wits so last efforts for advice was to post on here! Thank you!

OP posts:
Tidsleytiddy · 11/08/2023 13:05

Do you have an immersion switch on your hot water tank (if you have a hot water tank)

Original poster
Sameshitdifferentdayx · 11/08/2023 13:07

SuperSange · 11/08/2023 13:04

Of course there's something they can do, but you accept it if you like. Sheesh. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. Ask them, if there's nothing they can do, who are you paying your rent to? Why are you paying it?

I'm currently awaiting a call back from the HA again by end of day and not through the company they send out because they're just like talking to a brick wall. Completely agree with what you're saying - I just thought I was maybe over reacting slightly by getting miffed about it all. 🙈

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 11/08/2023 13:08

Escalate the call - to the CEO of the HA if necessary.
Contact Environmental Health at your local council.
Threaten to go to the media/your MP.

Original poster
Sameshitdifferentdayx · 11/08/2023 13:09

Tidsleytiddy · 11/08/2023 13:05

Do you have an immersion switch on your hot water tank (if you have a hot water tank)

No hot water tank. They're lucky it's not winter and I don't need heating too because I can't turn that back on either with it still leaking! 🥴 it's a combi boiler if that's any help.

OP posts:
Pinkitydrinkity · 11/08/2023 13:10

MrsMoastyToasty · 11/08/2023 13:08

Escalate the call - to the CEO of the HA if necessary.
Contact Environmental Health at your local council.
Threaten to go to the media/your MP.

Why, has he got a secret stash of the parts?

Ginmonkeyagain · 11/08/2023 13:17

New parts for things are an absolute nightmare at the moment. I have been waiting two months for new carbon filters for my kitchen extractor fan.

OP for washing fill every pan you have with water and heat up on the hob until boiling, pour in to the bath and top up with cold water until bearable. Put the kids in the bath.

Alternatively go to your local leisure centre and use the showers?

Invisimamma · 11/08/2023 13:27

Ask for HA to pay for a hotel for you all to have a shower. Our emergency home insurance paid for a hotel when our boiler broke.

IamAlso4eels · 11/08/2023 14:21

Pinkitydrinkity · 11/08/2023 13:10

Why, has he got a secret stash of the parts?

Show quote history

No, but escalating it can ensure that all legal obligations are met. Customer service staff aren't always aware of what these are or may not act in line with them. OP is entitled to compensation and reasonable endeavours to provide her with hot water such as heaters, a hotel, etc as no hot water is a breach of the landlords obligation to provide a habitable home that is not a risk to health (compromised washing facilities are classed in law as a risk to health).

LakieLady · 11/08/2023 14:29

Sameshitdifferentdayx · 11/08/2023 13:00

No, I have 0 hot water unless I boil a kettle. I'm sucking it up as much as I can!

Show quote history

We were without hot water and heating for 2 weeks over Christmas one year. I boiled water on the hob and in the kettle, and got enough to have a very shallow bath, but it was better than nothing.

I agree you shouldn't have to wait, but if they can't get an essential part, it's hard to see what else they can do.

Theunamedcat · 11/08/2023 14:35

Sameshitdifferentdayx · 11/08/2023 13:04

If nothing can be done I shall just do this - I'm all out of ideas. Just have 3 grubby sweaty children who've had suncream on and need a proper scrub, was at my last wits so last efforts for advice was to post on here! Thank you!

Take them swimming shower before you get in the pool obviously

CrotchetyQuaver · 11/08/2023 14:56

If they have to wait for the part then there's nothing you can do.

Can you not ask one of your neighbours if you and your kids could use their bathroom for a good clean up, offer something towards her gas bill if necessary, then keep on top of yourselves with strip washes at the sink.
Going for a swim and using the showers there is also a good idea.

GoodChat · 11/08/2023 15:02

Keep on to the HA. They can't leave you with no hot water with children under 5. They'll have to just replace the boiler if they can't get parts.

Ginmonkeyagain · 11/08/2023 15:12

I am not sure why you think replacing he boiler will be any quicker? It's Friday now - they said they can come on Tuesday. Repalcing a combi boiler is pretty major work.

Ginmonkeyagain · 11/08/2023 15:14

I mean tenants should get bettee that owner occupiers as they are paying for a service - but we lived in our flat for three weeks without a bathroom whilst it was being rennovated (we had a basic toilet pan still that flused) We are here to tell the tale.