Bad apt/ nasty landlady- HELLPP!!

Hello,


We moved into our place a couple of months ago and it seemed lovely when we saw it, if a little small. Once we moved in, however, everything started breaking: the shower head; the hot water switch.. my partner accidentally touched a hottish iron off the matress one day in the spare room and he wears a strong smell of urine came out... Disgusting, I know.


Worst of all, however, there has been a leak in the bathroom which means the floor is constantly wet. We think it may be coming from the toilet so it is most unhygienic. We told the landlady ten day s ago and she still won't come to see it. It definitely needs a plumber but she keeps saying that maybe we left the tap on (?!) and to try to be more hygienic! Now she's saying we should take digital photos and send them to her so that she may understand better. Isn't she contractually obliged to make sure the place is kept in reasonable upkeep?


Our rent is due soon. Do you think I should withold it unless she fixes the leak? It's really awful :( To be honest, I'd like to be rid of the whole place as who knows what's going to go next. But how can we get our 3 month deposit back from her if so??


Please help, this is really putting a cloud over our time so far in this wonderful city

Tell the landlady the leak may affect the apartment beneath you. She will be liable to pay for damages as a result of negligence. It is the law.

A few years ago, our ceiling was discolored because of a leak from the bathroom of the apartment upstairs. We called management, they inspected, took photos, and talked to the upstairs owner. He had his toilet fixed and had to pay us when we had our ceiling repaired.