to cry over our immersion heater and the ineptness or our landlord (hereafter known as Nobber)?

[ShowOfHands]

We have had no hot water since Thursday. We live in rented accommodation. The landlord ummed and aahed until Sunday at which point he turned up with a bloke who I though was called Pete. Pete'll Fix It to give him his full title. Nobber and Pete'll Fix It spent a few hours upstairs banging about and spewing dust and plaster and limescale and water all over dd's bedroom before sodding off and promising to come back tomorrow (Monday).

Pete came back alone, spent several hours banging and muttering about corroded elements and with an almighty bang about 6pm last night, part of the kitchen ceiling fell in and water spewed all over the floor.

Pete'll Fix It came down and apologised profusely, explaining that he's 'just a gardener' after all. Oh ho ho ho says I, what a jolly jape, a gardener. No, imagine my mirth, Pete'll Fix It is Pete The Gardener. Or Have A Go Pete. He's not fussy.

He's been back again today. More banging, more muttering. He's given up. Pete Only A Gardener has gone home. I bear him no ill will. He seems very upset that he couldn't help.

Nobber's gone to Portugal btw. Feature hole in the ceiling, no hot water, non-functioning immersion heater.

I'd laugh, but I'm too busy crying.

I hate to drag this up but there was a baby (quite a newborn i think) who died when the immersion tank exploded abover her bedroom and she was scalded by the water. I think that happened last year. Im glad your second plumber discovered what could have happened!!

He referred to that exact case. Said it was in Somerset and was the same thing really ie a thermostat not working and regulating the temp in the pipes. He said it was lucky that the pipes had failed here, there had been a small break and melt inside and it had caused the leak. Very lucky apparently. It's by dd's bed behind a plasterboard wall. Said a similar thing happened in Penzance a few years ago. Rare for it to go horribly wrong but possible he said.

Oh God.

Wish dh would come home. Grandma discharged this morning. Blue lighted back to hospital an hour ago.

What a bloody day.

Jeez

I hope it gets sorted, SoH x

Blardy hell SOH

What a horrible day. You poor girl.

Hope it all get's sorted soon. Just what you need when he is at work! Why are they always at works when these things happen?!

Have some love and gingerbread xx

OMG SoH - just read your update

I think I'd need a stiff gin after the day you've had. Give your DD an extra hard squeeze tonight - I shudder to think what might have happened

Hope tomorrow is a better day x

Christ. Thank God the old plumber sorted it. It doesn't bear thinking about.

I think you need to get your DH to phone the landlord and tell him exactly what happened. And that you expect the whole system checked properly tomorrow to ensure it is safe. And that if Pete the Gardener ever shows his face you will not be responsible for your actions.

Poor SOH.

I hope you're all in bed now and this got sorted, and I wish I could come and help with the clean up of the aftermath.

How is it all today?

Oh you're all lovely.

Thank you for yesterday. I was in a bit of a dither about everything.

Immersion heater, to my knowledge, is tickety boo. We have hot water and dd and I had a bath this morning in celebration. With lots and lots of bubbles.

The kitchen's dry. Well the floor is. The ceiling and walls aren't but the doors and windows are open, the sun is shining. I've mopped and swept and cleared with a vengeance. Big hole in the ceiling too. Will tackle ll about that when he gets back from his jaunt abroad. DD's bedroom is still in need of a good clean. Am about to start it. Our neighbours who also rent from Nobber want a meeting with him and to discuss what he thinks is acceptable compared to what a normal person thinks is acceptable. They were horrified on our behalf yesterday. There's a lot of work needs doing really. Can't open the bedroom window as the bottom of the frame falls out, two of the storage heaters smell terrible and we can't use them, plaster missing around doors, back door leaks etc. We have been living with it all and working round it but I think we need to tackle it all with the ll.

Grandma is much better too and I'm going to see her and spend the night at hers.

I slept for 11 hours last night. I was exhausted.

Thank you again, normal service is resumed.

I'm glad.

If I were you I'd get some proper advice from CAB before your meeting with the LL and discuss it all with the neighbours to make sure you are all on the same page and put up a united front so he sees that you are serious. I know you don't want to argue with him but it sounds like he does need to realise that he has legal obligations as a LL.

I'm so glad that you have resolution Show of Hands

I suggest having a good old browse through these documents ( free to download)

There is also on here a link to a document for landlords. It might help you and your neighbours get your ducks in a row.

As a landlord, and receiving rent he has a legal duty to ensure your home and that of your neighbour is safe. Anything less than that is not acceptable.

I think you have strong bargaining power here- especially as the other tenant feels the same way ,and if he chooses not to engage with it, then Env. Health will in the first instance seek to educate your landlord in his responsibilities, if he chooses not to take notice, again they can get heavier, if he chooses to ignore them!

hhsrs

Love 1foot xxx

at this
Glad your grandma is better

Glad things are better today and I think it is a great idea to approach the LL with the other tenants. A united front will hopefully get through to him.

You must be so relieved! I wouldn't want to be in your landlords shoes when he gets back! Glad you're ok xx