Bath Tub Needs to Be Replaced, Nowhere to Shower

Question on 14/11/2017 - 19:51
Last edited 14/11/2017 - 19:58 by 1 other user

So we are renting from a real estate agency, the bath tub developed a crack, and it needs to be replaced. They need to do work on the pipes below as well as there is apparently a leak and its a strata issue. The agent just called me and said that we wont have anywhere to shower for maybe a week while they are fixing this.

The problem is obviously, what we are going to do about this since not showering for a week is obviously not a solution…i dont have any gym membership or any friends nearby who ca let me shower at their place. The only thing she could suggest was that the nearby university MIGHT have free shower facilities at the pool/gym.

Currently the agent plans to compensate me for maybe $10 per day for not being able to shower.

Does anyone have any suggestions or encountered a similar situation like this before?

(And the agent obviously wont pay us a few hundred dollars to go stay at a hotel while the work is done)

Home & Garden

Comments

  • pennypincher98 on 14/11/2017 - 19:56

    First I was really confused - why shower in the bath?

    Then realised it's one of those "space saving" setups..

  • garetz on 14/11/2017 - 19:57
    +12

    If the place you are renting has no shower or toilet, it is no longer considered livable, they need to pay for other accommodation, or arrange for a replacement at no cost. If they dont do this, tell them you want a 100% discount till the issue is solved.

    • JIMB0 on 14/11/2017 - 20:50
      +5

      You could go down that path but it will likely sour the relationship with the agent. They'll probably just jack up the rent at the next opportunity they get.

      • garetz on 14/11/2017 - 22:10
        +8

        Or turn your argument on its head, if yet let them get away with this kind of thing, you give em an inch they going to take a mile. They might think they can get away with much higher rent increases instead.

        • JIMB0 on 15/11/2017 - 06:48

          It depends on what sort of relationship you have with them already. I've been good to my agent/landlord and they've rewarded me by keeping the rent well below market rates and only doing an inspection about once a year. The last place I rented the agent was horrible so I demanded everything I was legally entitled to.

    • brokenglish on 14/11/2017 - 23:21
      +1

      ^
      See Tenants NSW: https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-06-repairs-and-maintena…
      Maybe I'm pushing it a bit but you may be able to claim more compensation:

      Compensation
      You can apply for an order that the landlord compensate you for ‘economic loss’. For example:
      - You had to spend money on take-away food because the landlord failed to fix the stove.
      - Your belongings were destroyed or damaged because the landlord failed to fix a leaking roof.
      You must be able to show that your loss was caused by the landlord’s failure to do the repairs.
      You also need to show that you attempted to limit the cost to you of the damage (e.g. reducing water damage to your furniture by moving it from under a leak) otherwise the Tribunal may not order compensation.
      The Tribunal can order up to $15,000 compensation.

  • mysterytal on 14/11/2017 - 20:15
    +3

    It is possible to bathe without a shower or bath. You can fill a small tub/bucket with water and then lather up and rinse down.

    A tub from Bunnings will cost $7.

    • mskeggs on 14/11/2017 - 21:01
      +1

      Bathing from a bucket isn't super ideal these days when a daily shower is pretty normal, but it was how everybody washed not very long ago.
      For a person with short hair it is manageable for a week, I would say. I would be inclined to buy a handheld shower fitting that connects to the sink or basin to wash my hair over that.
      A hassle, but only for a limited time.

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 14/11/2017 - 20:24
    +5

    (And the agent obviously wont pay us a few hundred dollars to go stay at a hotel while the work is done)

    I'd hazard a guess that the cost is neither your concern nor your responsibility. I would presume they have to provide essential services for the property, i.e. bathing/showering OR alternative accomodation.

    I suspect they are trying to get off cheaply.

    • Question on 14/11/2017 - 21:37

      As I said, if i were to ask for the agent to pay for my stay at a hotel till the work is done, theres no way shes going to agree to that.

      • Presence on 14/11/2017 - 23:19
        +3

        Of course she'll disagree, that's the point of asking. Then tell her to put it in writing so you can contact the relevant authorities. Get some prices for local hotels and email them to her. Don't be a pushover.

        • o53djz7qTPY4der on 15/11/2017 - 04:24
          +3

          She'll only say no because you're letting her. As said, don't be a push over.

        • Question on 15/11/2017 - 08:21
          +1

          You cant "contact the relevant authorities". This isnt a police case. The only thing you can do is try to go to the tribunal and the costs of doing so will easily exceed whatever compensation you get, not including the time and hassle involved. Thats assuming you win in the first place, and the judge will probably just tell you to use the showers at the swimming pool.

          This is like going to the small claims court because someone owes you $100.

      • trongy on 15/11/2017 - 08:30

        Legally the agent owes you nothing. Your landlord on the other hand, has certain legal obligations. Find out what they are in your state and address your correspondence to the landlord, even if it is via the agent. You should be able to negotiate for enough money for a short term gym membership - just watch out for dodgy gym contracts, joining fees, exit fees, notice periods, or access card fees in case of 24-hour gyms. e.g. there's a 24 hour gym around the corner from me that has a $12 per week flat fee, no joining fees, but a 30 day notice period. Giving notice in the first week would still only result in a total $60 outlay. In my experience university gyms can be very bureaucratic and require a fitness test to join.

        Personally, I shower at work five days a week, because I ride my bike there. I know that co-workers have used those showers when they have had plumbing issues. I realise that not every work place has shower facilities.

        One last thing - if the crack is visible and on a fairly flat area of the bath you may be able to duct tape over it as an effective temporary repair while you wait for the replacement.

        • Question on 15/11/2017 - 08:42

          As mentioned in the OP, they are willing to give me a slight rent discount, the agent mentioned something like $10 per day.

      • Randxyz123 on 15/11/2017 - 09:13
        +2

        It’s not a question of agreeing or disagreeing. It’s a question of the law.

        Either ask for a free month or rent or more than $10 compensation

  • altomic on 14/11/2017 - 20:48
    +7

    If you owned the place and the bath developed a crack and was going to be out of action for a week then what would you do?

  • qwerty on 14/11/2017 - 21:07

    Public pools should be cheaper than $10 a visit but id demand more than $10 a day for the hassle .

  • Diji1 on 14/11/2017 - 21:12

    Join Jetts for a month.

    • tomsco on 22/11/2017 - 10:25

      Lol, this. Or if a few 24/7 gyms around, get a few of the free trials, and pocket the difference in rent.

  • klonky on 14/11/2017 - 21:28
    +1

    Baby wipes

  • Donaldhump on 14/11/2017 - 21:36
    +2

    Bucket and soap, not great, but not impossible. Work from home for the week and don’t bathe, consider it a challenge

  • altomic on 14/11/2017 - 21:40
    +1

    Do you have a balcony?

    • Question on 14/11/2017 - 23:08

      No. Why?

      • altomic on 14/11/2017 - 23:34

        if you had a balcony then
        kitchen tap + hose = outdoor shower.

  • outlander on 14/11/2017 - 21:46
    +1

    You can get blow up baths

  • GetOffMyUnicorn on 14/11/2017 - 22:19

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/201092

    Financialwar has some top tips.

    • spackbace on 14/11/2017 - 22:50

      Oh man, there's a special person I had chosen to forget!

  • GetOffMyUnicorn on 14/11/2017 - 22:54

    Perhaps join a gym, anytime fitness allow you to join for free for 1 week. Our hot water packs up every couple of months.

  • Yttrium on 14/11/2017 - 23:09
    +1

    They are legally required to pay for suitable alternative accommodation.

    That will be a moderately priced hotel or Airbnb nearby.

    They will likely try to screw you out of your entitlement.

    • Question on 15/11/2017 - 08:26

      Last I checked thats like $60+ per night easily. No way will the agent pay that…the agent just wants me to try to use the shower at the nearby uni gym/swimming pool…

      • Yttrium on 15/11/2017 - 19:36

        legally, they owe you the $60 per night.

  • Euphemistic on 15/11/2017 - 06:57
    +1

    Work out the cost of finding a nearby and convenient shower for you, even near to work. Ask the landlord to cover that cost at a minimum.

    Then ozbargain your way to a daily sponge bath/kitchen sink wash/free gym membership/shower at work for the duration etc.

    Profit.

  • ihbh on 15/11/2017 - 08:22

    How easy is it for you to find another place to rent; how inconvenient is it to move?

    If you try to be an ass in this situation, be prepared for unintended consequences. That is, be careful you're not too penny wise but pound foolish.

    • Question on 15/11/2017 - 08:25

      Would be very inconvenient for me to move.

      • ihbh on 15/11/2017 - 08:35

        Okay, I suggest you take this fact into account in terms of how much inconvenience you're prepared to bear and how creative you can come up with solutions.

        (PS: Note that the equivalent of very inconvenient to move is how much of a rent increase can you bear?)

  • Seraphin7 on 15/11/2017 - 09:48
    +2

    $10 a day is an insult. Tell them this is an entirely unacceptable arrangement as (1) you do not have access to alternative shower facilities and (2) even if you did, that would add at least 30 minutes to your showing routine as you need to travel to/from this other shower at least once a day.

    If you value your time at $100 an hour, that's $50 a day. Then you should be additionally compensated for pure inconvenience. Run that argument by them.

  • altomic on 15/11/2017 - 14:02

    What did any of the various tenancy associations say when contacted them?

  • airzone on 15/11/2017 - 19:13

    Of course you realise, if they take the bath out, most bathroom plumbing goes through the same pipes.. So it's possible they won't want you to use the hand basin, etc.

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