UK Landlord Forum / Life

A week ago a tenant in one of the flats reported his shower was cutting out if set to any level of heat.I contacted my sparks straight away,and although he is only doing emergencies said he will try to fit a new heater asap.His wife's catering business has thrived during lockdown,and he is helping her with deliveries too.There is no bathtub,but hot water from sink and basin.The tenant has been in touch again at the weekend-see above.

I am minded to recount how my paternal grandfather would come home from a day down t'pit,to sit in a tin bath filled with water heated on a coal range by his wife,before sitting down to a big carb-laded fatty tea (yum!)  I want to tell him we all have to make sacrifices but he is very nice and I am not sure what my obligations are at present,before I start getting sarcy..

Simple - the delivery of the new shower/heater is on its way, but they are experiencing delays in production and delivery due to reduced work force directly related to Covid-19.

Provided of course that there is a genuine effort to get it replaced.

Yes the sparks wifes business is doing good now, but what about all the other years when he rely's on your spend with him to provide for his family. I would hope is isnt leaving you high and dry whilst you and your tenant are waiting on something that is actually quite a necessity.

I do wonder if some tradesmen are too embarrassed to just refuse a job.I would much rather know where I stand,rather than feel I am pestering them when they don't get back in touch with a date.

With no bath... in reality that means no other way of having a whole body wash... then I suggest you move heaven and earth to try and get this resolved ASAP... maybe even including buying something brand new that comes with a 24-hour install service... if you had a bath, or a second shower powered by a boiler, then I'd have a completely different view. But if your regular guy is doing something else and can't assist you, find someone else who you might have to pay a premium to. A week is quite a long time. A cold shower is said to be invigorating, but not recommend as the weather gets hot (better to have a hot shower to cool down). Get cracking Heavykarma!

Pity John Lewis or AO don't sell showers... or do they?

Getting a heater is not the problem,it needs a sparks to fit it.AO don't provide installation services for those products.I have left messages with 2 other contractors,no response from either.Even without Covid,this area is a nightmare when you try to get tradesmen.They are kept busy all year.My partner used to do stuff like this,but now won't touch electrics in the rentals.The sparks has been in touch with my tenant this morning,so I hope it will get sorted.I take cold showers all year round,after a hot one,as it tones up the immune system !