Landlord Problem

[Bugbait]

A DECENT landlord will pay up anyway but not all are decent and this isn't as straight forward as you might think as as OP has said the landlord requested a quote before works were carried out.

Explain to the landlord he agreed to the work and that he presumed the quote was put in and hopefully he will be reasonable and pay the money back.

I would question whether or not the fan was really at fault. The charge of £665 seems like a lot for a simple fan replacement. We had lights rewired and installed for far less and our electrician wasn’t the cheapest (but came highly recommended) either.

The landlord agreed to a quote and that’s it. Based purely on the OP’s account there was no explicit agreement for repair work (only initial assessment) to be carried out. The landlord should not be liable for assumptions made by others. Maybe a split cost at best is in order.

A landlord isn’t there to be your doormat. Why should they pay for work that was never sanctioned by them? I’d be furious if my tenant tried to charge me for work I didn’t approve unless it was a genuine emergency (which this wasn’t). From what I read a single circuit was blown. Assuming the circuit breaker is of the magnetic type (sounds like it) that would indicate a wiring system that isn’t too ancient. This means the key kitchen electrical appliances (stove, fridge, washer/dryer, etc.) should be on separate circuits to the common power sockets. Therefore, where is the emergency? Please correct me if any of my assumptions above are incorrect.

[htid]

So a few updates on the situation, and replies to what has been said. (By the way, I actually meant CAB, not CIB, so unless you made the same mistake, Bugbait, I'm not sure who you are referring to!)

First of all, my girlfriend paid there and then by debit card. What I have found out has actually happened (after having spoken to my girlfriend), she misunderstood the phone call and thought this work was agreed to by the landlord and the electrician would supply a quote for some extra work that needed doing. We only heard one half of the conversation, and when the electrician came off the phone, he arranged with us a date to come back. My girlfriend, under the impression that the landlord had just told the electrician to come back and do the work, arranged a date for him to come. But at no point did the landlord tell us that he wanted a quote first or that the electrician was not to go ahead with the rest of the work, so really I don't see how we were supposed to know.

To go into even finer detail, the electrician came in the first instance to investigate the problem AND to fix it if possible. He was not able to buy some cable he needed, as the shop was closed, hence he called the landlord to tell him this and that he would come back another day to do the work. Before the electrician came, here are the emails I exchanged with the landlord (not sure if this is of any use)

Me:
Hi,

Well its just the lights that have gone, everything else is ok. We've taken out all the light bulbs in the place and it still does it.....there was only 1 set of lights on in the place when it happened. I don't know what we should do next.

Him:
If you have checked that you haven't added any new appliances or plugged in anything new then I suggest you get an electrician in but I am not sure about who should pick up the bill as I have not had any previous issues about shorting of fuses.

Me:
Hi again,

Well, I've asked quite a few people who know a fair bit about electronics and they say, based upon the situation as I described it, it doesn't sound like anything we've done. However, do you agree then, that we can get an electrician to come and look, and if it's our fault, of course we will cover the cost, but if it is nothing to do with us, you will cover the cost? I think that sounds fair.

Him:
I stated that depending on the Electrician's findings we would know who was more blameworthy. So go ahead and get the electrician.

We then went ahead and got the electrician with the intention of getting him to fix the problem, which to be fair, he would have done on day one, had he been able to get the cabling. I had spoken to the landlord previously and told him that the cost would be £49/30 minutes which he agreed to.

[Bugbait]

So a few updates on the situation, and replies to what has been said. (By the way, I actually meant CAB, not CIB, so unless you made the same mistake, Bugbait, I'm not sure who you are referring to!)

I spell “advice" with an “I”. No, I had the same brain fart you did .

My girlfriend, under the impression that the landlord had just told the electrician to come back and do the work, arranged a date for him to come. But at no point did the landlord tell us that he wanted a quote first or that the electrician was not to go ahead with the rest of the work, so really I don't see how we were supposed to know.

Impression or not, the fact is assumptions were made on your part. Sure, the landlord didn’t tell you anything but did either of you ask the electrician what the situation or agreement (if any) was? Did you ask the landlord? You’re not mind readers nor is your landlord. However, you were present when the electrician was on site while your landlord was not.

You have admitted to only hearing one side of the conversation. How do you know the landlord didn’t request a quote first (as would be the norm)? How do you know what the landlord said to the electrician? He may have given consent or he may not have. Fact is, you simply don’t know at the moment.

How were you supposed to know? You could have asked your landlord…

To go into even finer detail, the electrician came in the first instance to investigate the problem AND to fix it if possible.

Him:
If you have checked that you haven't added any new appliances or plugged in anything new then I suggest you get an electrician in but I am not sure about who should pick up the bill as I have not had any previous issues about shorting of fuses.

Him:
I stated that depending on the Electrician's findings we would know who was more blameworthy. So go ahead and get the electrician.

If those are the emails verbatim, I do not see where the landlord has agreed to pay for any repairs. The key sentence here is depending on the Electrician's findings. This strongly suggests an investigation. I wouldn't stretch this into an implied agreement for a repair as the landlord only mentions “findings”.

We then went ahead and got the electrician with the intention of getting him to fix the problem, which to be fair, he would have done on day one, had he been able to get the cabling. I had spoken to the landlord previously and told him that the cost would be £49/30 minutes which he agreed to.

So you had the intention of getting him to fix the problem. At what point if any did the landlord agree to this? Was it verbally or in further emails not contained here?

Not to be negative but if I’m being objective then mistakes were made on both sides and the most equitable solution would probably be splitting the bill.

[TheAnimus]

The problem is that is a bloody high bill. I had the re-wiring of half a ring, two sparkies, and a couple of £ of parts for partically that.... (these guys did work like the clappers too, only took em a few hours). As such I'd hope the spare part was bloody expensive, and if it was just the fault finding + replacement of the fan then I understand why the landlord is pissed.

Part of that is the fact your land lord didn't get into gear quick enough and sort it for you, leaving you to arrange it for him.

Its a tough situation, because without clear authorisation from the land lord, then you can't expect him to pick up the bill (which there might be a legit reason is so high!) when you can buy an extractor fan at B&Q for £40 (inc vat!), and call it maybe two hours for labour.

I'd have a word with the company he works via, also get the part number.