Money problems

Hi

I have tenants in my 2-bed apt. in Smithfield for the last two years. For the 5 years prior to that, I lived there.

There have been plumbing issues recently. To cut a long story short, I've been told the water pressure is too low and it needs a pump (even though it was fine for the 5 years I lived there).

is it reasonable to expect the tenants to contribute towards the cost? I wouldn't ask, only the cost is quite high.

Michael D Not Higgins

Have you checked to see if this is a new issue? Nothing worse than crappy pressure on the shower but if they've been living with it for a while why are they only bringing it up now?

Marcusm

Deleted User wrote: »

Hi

I have tenants in my 2-bed apt. in Smithfield for the last two years. For the 5 years prior to that, I lived there.

There have been plumbing issues recently. To cut a long story short, I've been told the water pressure is too low and it needs a pump (even though it was fine for the 5 years I lived there).

is it reasonable to expect the tenants to contribute towards the cost? I wouldn't ask, only the cost is quite high.

If the pump is requried, it's required. It's possible that when you lived there the water pressure was higher or spread across fewer apartments - weren't there lots of empty units for a while.

There's no basis to force a charge on the tenants.

Thanks for the prompt response. No, it is only a new issue.
The cost has kept creeping up, from 260 to 580 to god knowwhat next??

Marcusm

Marcusm wrote: »

If the pump is requried, it's required. It's possible that when you lived there the water pressure was higher or spread across fewer apartments - weren't there lots of empty units for a while.

There's no basis to force a charge on the tenants.

Is installing a pump in an apartment a bit unusual?

The plumber seems convinced its the only solution, but I've talked to someone else who says its very irregular to do that?

AlanS181824

Perhaps it wouldn't be too much to ask for a *small* contribution. Then again it'll depend on your relationship with your tenants

AlanS181824

AlanS181824 wrote: »

Perhaps it wouldn't be too much to ask for a *small* contribution. Then again it'll depend on your relationship with your tenants

Yeah, in fairness I am more conscientous than most, and do sort out any issues quickly.

This has me a bit worried though, as the cost is basically unaffordable right now, but I also am cogniscant that I can't leave them without proper washing facilities.

beauf

have you checked is there a problem with the other apartments?

littleredspot

Afaik most apartments have pumps. Definitely not a cost that the tenant should pay.

littleredspot

littleredspot wrote: »

Afaik most apartments have pumps. Definitely not a cost that the tenant should pay.

Fair enough, I heard the exact opposite, hence the query

Marcusm

Deleted User wrote: »

Is installing a pump in an apartment a bit unusual?

The plumber seems convinced its the only solution, but I've talked to someone else who says its very irregular to do that?

I would have thought it was more common to have a pump than not have one. Even if old buildings being converted to flats I have seen pumps being installed. Certainly in modern apartment blocks (Kilaminham Sq, Gasworks etc) I have seen each apartment has a pump.

Smithfield was a Redquartz/Kelly development - surprised that they would have cut a corner like this.

Euchrid

For what it's worth, I was a tenant in Smithfield Market for 4/5 years until a year ago. Towards the end of my time there, I had similar problem where water pressure became very poor. Turned out that the water pump had broken down and needed to be replaced. Landlord had someone look at it and replace it as soon as I mentioned it.

From speaking to a neighbour at the time, they had experienced the same thing and their landlord had replaced the pump. It sounds like its the kind of thing that can happen with the pumps after a number of years use and It's not really something a tenant could be expected to contribute to.

Juwwi

As the above poster has said the chances are you already have a pump in the apartment and its broken.

It could be worth checking with your plumber to see if you do.

If this is the case they can sometimes be refurbished at a much cheaper
cost than replacing.

There is a guy around the Thomas Street area that refurbishes them.

If you cant find the number l have it somewhere.

The_Conductor

Landlord pays.
Its a consumable with a flatline deduction (normally associated with either (or both) the water and heating systems.
12.5% written off against tax- per year, over 8 years. Expect to have to replace the pump again in 8-10 years time.

robbie1977

robbie1977 wrote: »

As the above poster has said the chances are you already have a pump in the apartment and its broken.

It could be worth checking with your plumber to see if you do.

If this is the case they can sometimes be refurbished at a much cheaper
cost than replacing.

There is a guy around the Thomas Street area that refurbishes them.

If you cant find the number l have it somewhere.

I hear you but the plumber has actually said that there is no pump there currently. He's to call me tomorrow, I'll know more then

BKWDR

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I hear you but the plumber has actually said that there is no pump there currently. He's to call me tomorrow, I'll know more then

Sounds stupid I know, is it just the shower? Problem with washing machine / dishwasher? Ifnyes, maybe as a last resort, check the brass mains in tap is open fully. I know it won't have physically changed but pressure in the building may have changed and this could reflect it. Happened a friend of mine after they had a plumber look and he couldn't fix pressure etc

The_Conductor

The_Conductor wrote: »

12.5% written off against tax- per year, over 8 years. Expect to have to replace the pump again in 8-10 years time.

Yeah I'm ok with the tax aspect of it thanks, and I'll worry about the replacement when the time comes.

BKWDR

BKWDR wrote: »

Sounds stupid I know, is it just the shower? Problem with washing machine / dishwasher? Ifnyes, maybe as a last resort, check the brass mains in tap is open fully. I know it won't have physically changed but pressure in the building may have changed and this could reflect it. Happened a friend of mine after they had a plumber look and he couldn't fix pressure etc

I'll mention that, thanks very much

BKWDR

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'll mention that, thanks very much

No problem, they resolved it by literally getting through to brass tap under sink and making sure it was fully open. Best of luck OP

twinsen

Is this not something that landlord should pay for?

twinsen

twinsen wrote: »

Is this not something that landlord should pay for?

Yeah that seems to be the sentiment alright :pac:

The Spider

Landlord has to pay, tenants are paying for a service, the landlord has to provide that service, it's the landlords property and it's up to them to maintain it. If the tenants decide to move out, you can look towards increasing the rent to cover costs, in this market that shouldn't be a problem unless the rent is already at the maximum for the area.

D3PO

sweet jesus I cant believe somebody could even ask the question of weather a tenant should pay for this.

beggars belief.

gmisk

We had a similar issue in the apartment I was renting, i.e. lack of pressure in shower.
I got plumber out to fit the pump and landlord paid, it came to about 200 euro and worked with no issues (bar the water pressure on the taps in the sitting room being really high!)

the_syco

Deleted User wrote: »

I have tenants in my 2-bed apt. in Smithfield for the last two years.

If they're nice tenants that you want to keep, replace it. If you want to get rid of them, hmm and haw until they leave, and replace it before new tenants move in.

D3PO

D3PO wrote: »

sweet jesus I cant believe somebody could even ask the question of weather a tenant should pay for this.

beggars belief.

Chill. You're more worked up about it than I am, and I'm the one facing the bill

And maybe read my OP again, I didn't say 'pay for it', I asked about 'contribution towards the cost'.

Anyway, it's been resolved, the pressure issue is not as bad as the plumber had thought, so all good

TommiesTank

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I didn't say 'pay for it', I asked about 'contribution towards the cost'.

Are you a spin doctor by any chance? Sounds like something one would say.

TommiesTank

TommiesTank wrote: »

Are you a spin doctor by any chance? Sounds like something one would say.

Say a bill comes to €400 (hypothetically)

Pay for it = pay €400

Contribute towards it = pay say €100

Big difference (to me anyway )

TommiesTank

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Say a bill comes to €400 (hypothetically)

Pay for it = pay €400

Contribute towards it = pay say €100

Big difference (to me anyway )

Rubbish. The cost is / was entirely your responsibility, there was NEVER a possibility that you could legitimately expect the tenant to pay, regardless of the spin you put on pay versus 'contribution'.

Chattastrophe!

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Say a bill comes to €400 (hypothetically)

Pay for it = pay €400

Contribute towards it = pay say €100

Big difference (to me anyway )

Would they then get to bring a quarter of the new pump with them when they leave?

Marcusm

Deleted User wrote: »

Chill. You're more worked up about it than I am, and I'm the one facing the bill

And maybe read my OP again, I didn't say 'pay for it', I asked about 'contribution towards the cost'.

Anyway, it's been resolved, the pressure issue is not as bad as the plumber had thought, so all good

If it helps you bear the weight, you can always take comfort from the fact that they tenant does contribute towards the cost of repairs by paying the rent.

As regards the plumber's advice, the drop off in pressure might be an issue at periods of peak demand, ie when everyone is having a shower between 7:30am and 8:30am. If the plumber has tested the pressure in the middle of the day, this will not be apparent but the issue for the tenant will remain. Ultimately, having to call plumbers out more frequently if this transpires to be the case will cost you more. If you lived there for a while, can you ask some of your former neighbours if they have had the same problem and how they've dealt with it.