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Open drain in bathroom. NEED ADVICE

5 replies

TinksLeigh · 02/11/2020 19:38

Hi all,
URGENTLY NEED ADVICE before I lose my mind.
I moved into a privately rented property 3 weeks ago and have had nothing but problems from the get go. Some issues small, others are big. One of the bigger issues is cockroaches and this drain I seem to have in my toilet room.
The back room and toilet room have been built on an extension, so what I think is an outside drain is in the toilet room with just a loose tile put over the top (hardly covers it)
This drain is a live drain, as the water from the sink flushes through it (no sewage as far as I'm aware) it gurgles and then drips water out.
My landlord doesn't see this as a problem and was extremely annoyed that I had bought this issue along with the cockroach issue and others to the estate agents attention. In the first week here I got in touch with environmental health as I was extremely stressed and didn't know what to do. They have emailed me to ask if the property is still in disrepair. I feel it is as she is refusing to do anything about the drain and estate agents still haven't got the pest control out for the cockroaches.
The landlord has accused me of causing problems (because I sent the estate agents pictures) and told me to look for another place (this was a week into my tenancy) she doesn't know ive contacted environmental health. Im worried if they come out to look at the property the landlord will not renew my tenancy in 4 months time. (I know this probably doesn't seem like a problem but being a single mum to 2 kids, my oldest just starting a new primary school today, he's also in thr last year of primary, I could do without being kicked out and put just anywhere)
I hope someone could give me some advice on the drain, its hard to explain without being able to upload pictures)
Thank you

OP posts:
Loofah01 · 03/11/2020 09:39

Well it doesn't sound right, that's for sure! Get the council in to have a look then involve the letting agent and ensure any recommendations are fixed by the landlord. Law is completely on your side here.
Wouldn't worry about being evicted as this would be seen as vindictive and not permitted. Even if it was, the evictions process was paused in the courts so they'll have a goo 5 months of backlog to get though before you and it is a hideously long process!

Loofah01 · 03/11/2020 09:40

But keep paying the rent, don't give the LL any excuses.

ChristmasCantComeSoonEnough · 03/11/2020 09:43

Might be worth giving citizens advice a call for advice.

ahhanotheryear · 03/11/2020 09:50

An internal drain is fine internally if its covered by a proper man hole cover that prevents smell, liquid and anything else from coming up from the drain.

PigletJohn · 03/11/2020 16:26

@ahhanotheryear

An internal drain is fine internally if its covered by a proper man hole cover that prevents smell, liquid and anything else from coming up from the drain.
Which is not relevant to this case.
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