On Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:20:47 +0000, chellielou
wrote:


Hi all, I hope someone can help me!

I moved into my flat (rented) approx 10 months ago. When I moved in,
there was a problem with one of the toilets, and we informed the estate
agents immediately. They called their own plumber to come and rectify
the problem.
Now, 10 months on, I have received a water bill for over £500, as the
£36 per month I pay the water company won't cover out new meter
reading.
I rung the water company, who said it must definitely be a leak. After
determining the leak was on the property, I switched off the water
temporarily. Whilst investigating, we noticed the cistern from the
broken toilet had completely drained. We have had a plumber acquaintance
come out and have a look, and he said that the work originally done to
the toilet has led the water to slowly drain from the cistern into the
toilet, meaning that the cistern is constantly refilling itself. Due to
the silent but steady nature of this problem, it has gone completely
undetected.
I spoke to the estate agent this morning, who was quick to deny any
fault and refused to absorb any portion of the bill.

Am I being stupid/naive to say that this problem was not something I
should have to pay for completely by myself, and that the estate
agents/landlord should at least offer to absorb some of the costs for
the shoddy work that was initially done by their contracted plumber?

Any help/opinions would be appreciated!


I'm in the US so I don't know the laws or real estate market on your
side of the pond but if it were here, I'd say to first read your lease
to see if it covers this. Next, depending on your lease, I'd get the
problem/conclusion in writing and submit the copy of it to your
landlord for repair. If the landlord refuses to repair, again
depending on the lease, consider deducting it from the rent and fix
the repair at your cost.