No shower – It’s a dirty job?
My new tenant of 5 weeks in my refurbished buy to let says I must fit an electric shower for him because he has a dirty job.
I recently put a new bath and taps in the house prior to him moving in. I had lost a considerable amount of money from the way the house was left by the previous tenant hence I put in a shower mixer tap on the bath which he viewed before signing the tenancy.
For me to put in an electric shower will be rather expensive. At least a months rent and my losses are already substantial.
He now says he is moving out. I am an experienced landlord and wondering where to draw the line.
Opinions will be gratefully received
Ken
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Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 1130 - Articles: 2
11:08 AM, 3rd February 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Mandy Thomson at 03/02/2019 – 11:03
For the record, there are still plenty of rental properties around where a basic bath is all you get, certainly in the social sector!
I know of one such property where the bathroom was refitted 2 years ago, with a basic 2 tap bath (tiny) bathtub and a really tiny washbasin.
Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 1130 - Articles: 2
11:15 AM, 3rd February 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Jay James at 01/02/2019 – 18:33
You’re right, Jay. This the only way a tenant can legally withhold rent:
1) Tenant raises (genuine) repair with landlord, giving LL reasonable time to respond and do the repair
2) If after such time LL either doesn’t respond or response and/or repair clearly inadequate, tenant writes to LL (retaining proof of postage) giving LL one final chance to put right by given date, after which time tenant will contract tradesman to carry out repair, and will be deducting cost from the NEXT month’s rent
4) Tenant sends LL the invoice and deducts cost if LL doesn’t reimburse tenant
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12193 - Articles: 1395
5:12 PM, 3rd February 2019, About 7 years ago
Why not do a deal with him using. Deed of Assurance, similar to the deal I did with a tenant who wanted to pay for a new kitchen and bathroom but was worried I could serve notice as soon as her tenancy came to its natural end.
I’ve documented the full story on the page linked below.
https://www.property118.com/sincerity-among-landlords-tenants/
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 1264 - Articles: 1
6:30 PM, 3rd February 2019, About 7 years ago
It will depend on the water pressure whether a mixer tap is of any use without a pump. If he is near the top of the building no chance and clearly neither he nor you realised. I did the same in my very first home which was a top floor flat and the mixer was fine if you sat in the bath to wash your hair but had no oomph if the shower head was any height above that. There are lots of good comments above as to what to do about it but it’s quite likely he actually doesn’t have an adequate shower.
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 18
6:18 PM, 4th February 2019, About 7 years ago
Member Since July 2015 - Comments: 344
8:29 PM, 5th February 2019, About 7 years ago
In my experience electric showers tend to be inferior pressure to mixer taps, so it must be a pretty inferior dribble coming out of yours.
I would look on it as an investment. 20 years back when I was renting I walked out of viewings in otherwise quite nice properties because there was no shower. I used to think “who the fuck tries to let a property without a shower.”
The question to you is is the shower adequate for a daily shower or not? If it genuinely is not, upgrade it.
If it is, then you just have a trouble maker. No excuse for not paying the tent though.
Member Since October 2014 - Comments: 423
6:14 PM, 11th February 2019, About 7 years ago
Hi ken
What have you decided to do?
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 1264 - Articles: 1
6:24 AM, 13th February 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by H B at 05/02/2019 – 20:29
That isn’t my experience as they should have a small pump. It depends on the head pressure if you take it off the mains so will depend how high up the building the flat is. In a second floor bathroom the pressure will likely not be adequate.
Member Since February 2019 - Comments: 7
1:44 AM, 14th February 2019, About 7 years ago
One of things that get overlooked in BTL properties is the water pressure.
I have viewed a house converted to 6 flats all on one water supply that was shared with a neighbouring property!
I would have got him an electric shower IF the existing arrangement is not adequately functional especially if he is likely to be a long term renter.
The relationship might have now gone beyond repair though.
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 6
3:25 PM, 18th February 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Jay James at 11/02/2019 – 18:14
Hello JJ The matter still ongoing Two months rent now withheld. After threat of section 8 He says he will contest it. But will pay rent if I install the shower. regards ken.