No toilet in our flat!

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  1. #1

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    Angry No toilet in our flat!

    The toilet flushing system in our flat has been broken now for 3 weeks and now our landlord is telling us that it's going to take another 3 to get it fixed because the repair needs government approval!

    This means that by the end we'll have been without a working toilet for 6 weeks which is not acceptable in my opinion.

    I've had a look around for any related ordinances or laws that relate to legal requirements for a landlord/tennant relationships but I can't find anything relevant. This being Hong Kong I expect I have no rights in any situation, but just in case I'm wrong does anybody know if there is some law/rule that the landlord must provide basic working facilities?

    I'm trying to get as much ammunition as possible to book into a hotel until this is over and take the costs out of the rent.

    Anybody had a similar situation to this?


  2. #2

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    Just get it fixed (I'm sure it could be done same day) and deduct the cost from your next month's rent, submitting a copy of the receipt as evidence.

    No repair needs government approval unless you are living in a public housing flat. In that case I believe your tenancy is illegal anyway.

    I find it quite surprising that you go more than 24 hours without getting something like this resolved - 3 weeks is almost incredible.

    Last edited by PDLM; 17-12-2009 at 12:03 PM.

  3. #3

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    I'd stop paying rent until it's fixed. And advise such to the landlord in writing.


  4. #4

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    It's not just our flat, it's the whole building.

    There's a problem with the waste water system.

    Unfortunately I can't act unilateraly to get it done.

    And we were told it would only be a few days originally (which I can live with).

    Last edited by Stu79; 17-12-2009 at 12:05 PM.

  5. #5

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    Call the Water Services Department Customer Hotline and speak to an officer there for advice. Customer Services Hotline 2824 5000


  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by PDLM:
    Call the Water Services Department Customer Hotline and speak to an officer there for advice. Customer Services Hotline 2824 5000
    Thanks PDLM, I'll do that now.

  7. #7

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    woah! that's just a nightmare! i hope you get it fixed soon.


  8. #8

    Might not hurt to stock up on adult diapers (Depends)...LOL! All joking aside hope you get the problem resolved ASAP.


  9. #9

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    similar problem in my building, though now fixed. presuming you still have running water, you do know that you can flush a toilet by chucking a bucket of water down it though? Not ideal but at least you can still use the loos.


  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by MarthaK:
    similar problem in my building, though now fixed. presuming you still have running water, you do know that you can flush a toilet by chucking a bucket of water down it though? Not ideal but at least you can still use the loos.
    Yeah, that's what we've been doing. I just resent paying a shitload of money in rent without a flushing toilet. I mean, it's just a basic nessesity.

    I know back home the landlord is required by law to make sure that basic sanitation is provided as part of the deal.

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