No hot water

DeezNuts · #1 11-10-2005, 08:58 PM

So I rent a house with a couple friends. My roommates are friends(and me kinda) with the girl whose parents own the house. Their other daughter lives in the back house and currently has a termite problem, so she needs to get it sprayed and tented. For them to do this, they will need to turn off the gas(hot water) from today until Tuesday.

Originally they had said from Friday-Monday, but since Friday is a holiday and some other reasons, it was extended. Now I'm not trying to be a dick about it, but I pay my rent on time, shouldn't I basically get a refund for the days that I basically have to stay at a friends place?

The girl in the back house(speaking for her parents) just emailed all of us saying how sorry she is for the inconvenience, and that she will buy a space heater, but the real problem will be the lack of hot water. I am one of those people who NEED a hot shower to start the day(especially weekdays) and this will be a major inconvenience. My roommates(2 girls) are way too nice and too connected to the owners to really cause a fuss, but I just feel having no hot water for basically 5 days calls for some type of rent rebate. Anyone been in a similar situation with thoughts on the matter?

DN

MrTrik · #2 11-10-2005, 09:10 PM

I think you are being a cheap bastard. Suck it up and shower at the gym or a friend's place. [censored] happens.

tonypaladino · #3 11-10-2005, 09:11 PM

I was in Florida a few years ago when there was some sort of gas main problem and most of Central Florida had no gas. We took cold showers and got used to it. If you want some hot water to wash your face or shave, just heat some up in the microwave or on a hot plate (or stove if yours is electric.)

And, At least you have water, once the water to my house was off completely for 72 hours. I had to stand in the shower and dump tepid water from gallon bottles on my head to bathe. It could be worse.

I don't think they owe you any rent money back, this could be considered an "Act of God" type thing.

deacsoft · #4 11-10-2005, 09:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I think you are being a cheap bastard. Suck it up and shower at the gym or a friend's place. [censored] happens.

[/ QUOTE ]

I completely agree (but I just wouldn't have said it quite like that).

DeezNuts · #5 11-10-2005, 09:37 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I think you are being a cheap bastard. Suck it up and shower at the gym or a friend's place. [censored] happens.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really? I was under the impression that renters had some rights and this was completely a landlord's responsibility to make up to his tenants. Everyone in the house is a working professional around 30 yrs old, so it's not like we are just going to miss class, and I pay over $1k in rent and I don't think 5-6 days of no water and having to stay with someone else is being "cheap".

I wanted to make sure that we were not being taken advantage of due to the relationship between my roommates and the landlord's daughter. I don't have this same relationship and it is purely landlord/tenant for me.

Thanks for the responses.

DN

MrTrik · #6 11-10-2005, 09:41 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think you are being a cheap bastard. Suck it up and shower at the gym or a friend's place. [censored] happens.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really? I was under the impression that renters had some rights and this was completely a landlord's responsibility to make up to his tenants. Everyone in the house is a working professional around 30 yrs old, so it's not like we are just going to miss class, and I pay over $1k in rent and I don't think 5-6 days of no water and having to stay with someone else is being "cheap".

I wanted to make sure that we were not being taken advantage of due to the relationship between my roommates and the landlord's daughter. I don't have this same relationship and it is purely landlord/tenant for me.

Thanks for the responses.

DN

[/ QUOTE ]

And I think that water heaters fail. Gas lines need to be shut off. Plumbing can have problems. This would be true whether or not you have a Landlord.

mostsmooth · #7 11-10-2005, 09:49 PM

i think you should pay only 5/6 of your months rent for this month, or ask them to reimburse you for a hotel

sarahbellum · #8 11-10-2005, 09:51 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I was under the impression that renters had some rights

[/ QUOTE ]

Tenants DO have rights, and they vary by state and county. In my county, a tenant cannot be without hot water for more than 24 hours. You need to search for yourself and see what is true in your own county. Unfortunately my law does not allow for reimbursements -- the choices are litigation, moving out, and other annoying choices.

BadBoyBenny · #9 11-10-2005, 09:59 PM

I'm on your side dude. I think the landlord needs to shut the gas off in November you should be reimbursed for the rent you would have had to pay. Depends somewhat on where you live though.

BadBoyBenny · #10 11-10-2005, 10:01 PM

God isn't shutting off the gas, the landlords are.