This isn't me, but a friend of mine.
He's a good lad, recently graduated and rented a (seemingly) nice flat in that there London and started his first proper job.
He's been in only a month or two and part of the waste pipe which drains his kitchen appliances (taps/sink, washing machine, dish washer) has fallen off the external front wall of the building. This means that any water, kitchen waste etc just sprays all over the front of the building, firing down onto the front entrance way and path.
He can't patch a repair because the defective pipework is up at second floor level and he doesn't have a ladder. It wouldn't be safe for him to attempt anyway, he'd end up doing a Rod Hull probably.
It's been like this for exactly two weeks now, and the landlord is making and breaking multiple promises to fix it. Latest was today, landlord promised faithfully to repair downpipe this weekend but switched his phone off on Friday and hasn't been seen or contactable since.
Tenant really can't use his kitchen in this state, the neighbors are understandably playing hell because if he cooks/washes dishes etc his kitchen waste ends up all over the front path and in the basement flat step-well, not to mention on the head of anyone coming into or out of the building. So, he's been taking his laundry out, avoiding cooking as much as possible (ordering pizzas and takeaways) and washing the odd bit of crockery in the bathroom. It's a royal pain in the arse.
The landlord has clearly demonstrated he doesn't give a shit, and tenant is going to have to force someone's hand. Any legal beagles offer helpful, practical advice on his best approach to resolve the issue? This is really getting him down, and it should be a fun and exciting time for him. Grrr.
