UK Landlord Forum / Life

I hope this is not located elsewhere on the forum - I have looked.  Shower broken, and handheld attachment also broken.  I got plumber to fix both things - they have both broken again within a week.  Plumber has been back, says equipment must be faulty and has contacted manufacturer.  Tenants have got working shower but are being difficult.  I think they're being unreasonable - obv I am not going to pay to have new shower fitted, need to find out what is wrong with this one.  They are asking for rent reduction...any advice would be helpful.  Only have this one property.  Very inexperienced, so grateful for help.

Do the Tenants have use of a 'working' bath?

If so, alternative cleaning facilities are available, things break and need repair - that's life, no rent reduction... no obligation to consider that. Politely decline. If no alternative cleaning facilities are available, then that is more of a problem but things do still break, as long as you are handling it in a reasonable timeframe (they would need to do the same if they were the homeowner) you should be fine.

If there is major disruption / inconvenience then I always put a goodwill offer out there to head off any request like this.

Your comment about "obviously not having a new shower fitted" is not obvious, this could be the best way forward.

Fit another new shower pronto this is your cheapest and best option.  Take the other one back to the shop for a refund - simples!
Everyone happy

Yeah, people get difficult when you make their home difficult to use...
If they have a working shower, how is it broken ? Or, if it's broken, how does it work ? You're contradicting yourself, or not giving us all the information.
Yeah, things break and they need time to be repaired. People are considerate if you do it in a timely fashion, but when it happens twice in a week, they don't care it's not your fault - they are paying for a working bath and when it is not delivered, it's absolutely normal for them to complain and be "difficult".
I sure as hell won't sit and wait patiently while you contact the plumber to contact the manufacturer to deal with a faulty equipment and then the other way back so you can save a pound. If you can't fix it in a timely fashion, rent reduction is proper for the inconvenience.
If you can, but choose not to out of greed, yeah, there is a problem.

In short, you can skip reductions and what not, as you're in the process of carrying out repairs. No authority body will bother for this problem considering the facts objectively. However, you're undermining your relationship with the people who live in YOUR property. And by your, I'm not stressing the fact that you can do whatever you want, but rather that you will suffer the damage if worst comes to worst. Just keep that in mind, before you do something that might aggravate the situation and your relationship.

Regards,
Audrey Wright @ Move out Mates
End of Tenancy Cleaning London

Quote from: jennydm1 on March 31, 2015, 10:41:59 PM
I hope this is not located elsewhere on the forum - I have looked.  Shower broken, and handheld attachment also broken.  I got plumber to fix both things - they have both broken again within a week.  Plumber has been back, says equipment must be faulty and has contacted manufacturer.  Tenants have got working shower but are being difficult.  I think they're being unreasonable - obv I am not going to pay to have new shower fitted, need to find out what is wrong with this one.  They are asking for rent reduction...any advice would be helpful.  Only have this one property.  Very inexperienced, so grateful for help.

Thanks for the helpful replies.  I didn't make myself clear I realise now.  They do have - and have at all times had - one working shower.  Just bath taps don't work - anyway I won't go into all the boring detail, what you guys have said is really useful to me.  Thank you!