UK Landlord Forum / Life

I need a little bit of advice. On the 30 December my tenant contacted the management agency to inform them that he had no hot water. They didn't act until the 2nd when they contacted me to tell me a chap was going in the next day to check out the problem. Turns out water cylinder has cracked and is leaking, it needs replacing!! Not cheap, but fine it is about 30 years old. I agreed to the replacement and paid 40% which the chap received the same day. The cylinder has been ordered, but will take a week to be delivered, apparently it has to be made. Because of this delay the tenant will be with out hot water for just over two weeks. As soon as I knew of problem I sorted my side quickly, the delay is beyond my control. My question is can my tenant with hold his rent and if he dose what should I do? He has been told that the water cylinder has been ordered and will be fitted as a priority.  Rent is due tomorrow 10 January.  He has heating and electric. Thank you for any advice

No,your tenant cannot legally withhold his rent in this situation.This does not mean he will not do so though.You have acted correctly throughout,and the long New Year break will have added to the delays.It is an inconvenience for sure,but I don't think this would be seen as a hazard to the tenant.Do they have a separate shower they can use? Good Luck tomorrow-fingers crossed!

Doesn't sound an excessive delay if the tank is not available "off the shelf". The Christmas and New year break is a nightmare for managing agents as so many contractors close down as do the suppliers. It sounds as though things have been actioned quite quickly so unless you want to offer something as a gesture of goodwill I would expect full rent to be paid. Tenants sometimes expect landlords to have access to contractors who appear at short notice and are able to diagnose faults that are fixed instantly and some of our tenants do get annoyed when it doesn't happen but I have done property management for long enough to know that good contractors are hard to find and problems aren't always easy to fix. The worry lines and grey hair are testament to my dedication to the cause though.

Quote from: WightPixie on January 09, 2018, 08:53:54 AMMy question is can my tenant with hold his rent and if he dose what should I do? He has been told that the water cylinder has been ordered and will be fitted as a priority.  Rent is due tomorrow 10 January.  He has heating and electric.

Has the Tenant threatened to withhold rent?

Thank both for advice.