What's a reasonable timeframe for a landlord to make repairs??

What does it say in your lease about the protocol for repairs? What does it say about dispute resolution?

As you've paid up front, you can't do the threat of withholding rent, so you'll have to find a different approach. What your lease says about repairs and disputes will determine what you can do from here.

Just threaten to take them to small claims court to get your rent back for the number of weeks you did not have hot water.  A court would definitely support your claim, and the landlord would be stupid not to know that.

The company I work for maintains properties for a local housing association. Having no hot running water would be classed as an emergency and would be dealt with within 24 hours of the initial complaint. Having a shower running hot water would not count.

Very responsive HA.  Ours only classes no heat AND no hot water as emergency repairs unless there are extenuating circumstances such as disabled or elderly.  No heat OR no hot water is classed as a three day repair though most of the time it's completed before then.

To further update, Thursday night I came home to find the hot water heater had been replaced,but not hooked up completely. So still without water, if it gets turned on this week do I still have a case for it taking 7 weeks to be fixed?

To further update, Thursday night I came home to find the hot water heater had been replaced,but not hooked up completely. So still without water, if it gets turned on this week do I still have a case for it taking 7 weeks to be fixed?

yes.  If you were paying monthly, you could ask for a discount for those weeks.  I am sure you can claim something..

yes.  If you were paying monthly, you could ask for a discount for those weeks.  I am sure you can claim something..

I asked my letting agent if I am due compensation and was told 'it would be like getting blood from a stone', I quote.

I asked my letting agent if I am due compensation and was told 'it would be like getting blood from a stone', I quote.

Is it the letting agent you pay or do you pay the landlord directly?  If its the letting agent, its them who have to reimburse you..not the landlord.  They are as much your agent as the landlords.  Your their responsibility.

Is it the letting agent you pay or do you pay the landlord directly?  If its the letting agent, its them who have to reimburse you..not the landlord.  They are as much your agent as the landlords.  Your their responsibility.

I paid the letting agent directly 6 months rent upfront. I still believe the length of time taken to fix this is because of that, they have their rent guaranteed. The letting agent made it seem as though the landlord wouldnt agree to compensation.

I paid the letting agent directly 6 months rent upfront. I still believe the length of time taken to fix this is because of that, they have their rent guaranteed. The letting agent made it seem as though the landlord wouldnt agree to compensation.

In your agreement, did it provide you with the landlords name and address?  If so, I would write directly.  They maybe unaware that it took the agency too long to sort out these problems for you.

Basically, Your letting agency are fobbing you off.

This, again is the problem with paying that much rent in advance.
What you need to find out is; does the agent maintain responsibility for the lease, or, after the agents responsibilities have been discharged, the landlord take over.
Should things not be repaired, and you feel you are not being properly treated, take your complaint to the local council, who have certain, if not, limited powers, but could be able to help.

This, again is the problem with paying that much rent in advance.

Every agency I spoke with, before and after I moved, told me that 6 month's rent up front is standard because I have no credit in the UK yet. I agree that paying up front is a real problem should things go wrong (as in my case, and this case) but for new immigrants, it really can't be helped in many cases.

Every agency I spoke with, before and after I moved, told me that 6 month's rent up front is standard because I have no credit in the UK yet. I agree that paying up front is a real problem should things go wrong (as in my case, and this case) but for new immigrants, it really can't be helped in many cases.

Exactly. I had the means to pay my entire rent month by month, but without any credit, plus coming here for school not work, and no-one in the Uk to act as a guarantor(excuse if that's misspelled), I had no choice but to pay 6 months upfront. It didn't bother me, as it means I don't have to worry about my rent for the remainder of my lease. But I'm wondering if this also 'subconsciously' relaxes the agent/landlord in terms of fixing things asap, because they essentially have my money and there's nothing I can do to get any of it back,other than resort to going to small claims court but I am really trying to avoid the hassle for what would probably be small financial compensation.

Basically, Your letting agency are fobbing you off.

This is what I'm starting to think. I'm questioning how much 'effort' the agency is putting into this matter. I've sent two emails to them in the past week that they haven't even had the professional coutesy to acknowledge.

Exactly. I had the means to pay my entire rent month by month, but without any credit, plus coming here for school not work, and no-one in the Uk to act as a guarantor(excuse if that's misspelled), I had no choice but to pay 6 months upfront. It didn't bother me, as it means I don't have to worry about my rent for the remainder of my lease. But I'm wondering if this also 'subconsciously' relaxes the agent/landlord in terms of fixing things asap, because they essentially have my money and there's nothing I can do to get any of it back,other than resort to going to small claims court but I am really trying to avoid the hassle for what would probably be small financial compensation.

My husband and I paid a visit to our local Housing Advice Bureau and it really was worth the trip to get a solicitor's free advice on the matter. I'm sure there is one near you, or at least a similar organization. I'd give it a shot.. couldn't hurt. Good luck!!

My husband and I paid a visit to our local Housing Advice Bureau and it really was worth the trip to get a solicitor's free advice on the matter. I'm sure there is one near you, or at least a similar organization. I'd give it a shot.. couldn't hurt. Good luck!!

Thank you, today I sent a online query to my city council and am awaiting a response from them as to what to do. And this point, I'm tired of dealing with my agents as I think they're just saying things to shut me up. I've sent two emails the past week, and they aren't nasty emails, more the 'what is the status of the repair' type. No response to either, talk about professionalism.