Rain in the city

Went over to Manchester to see James and Heidi and to take them out for tea. Spent an hour or so drinking tea in Waterstones on Deansgate whilst waiting for James to meet me. Went back to the flat for a glass of mulled wine then we went for food.

They moved in on 1st September and the letting agent pointed out a leak in the ceiling over the window. With myself, Heidi’s Mum and James and Heidi there, he quite clearly told us all that it was being fixed that week.


10 weeks on, it is not fixed. It’s getting worse. Water is clearly spreading along the plasterboard ceiling and down the wall by the window. The lights failed in their bathroom nearly 6 weeks ago and the maintenance man for the apartment block said that he thought it may be that water has caused damage to the electrics so essentially, he wouldn’t touch it. So they have to use the bathroom with the torch from their phone.


They are in Acorn, the tenants union, who are advising them currently. James is also going to complain to housing inspectors at the city council and ask them to come and inspect. As yet, the letting agency haven’t responded to the formal complaint made this week. Mama bear is now getting angry. This is a studio apartment, it’s compact and is marketed as ‘luxury’. I am guarantor for them so I think It’s time to pitch in. As I see it and based on my research, the agency is I’m breach of their contract, the apartment isn’t safe (particularly if there is a water/electrical issue), bits of plaster drop out of the wet ceiling so their sofa area is pretty much useless to them. So watch this space - a saga has begun!!!!