Landlord Taking Control of Tenant's Hot Water Slammed: 'Freezing'

The internet has slammed a landlord who has set times that hot water is available in a tenant's home.

On Sunday, the tenant, Mumsnet user Wildrosa, shared their upset after their landlord arranged for the home's hot water to only be available for four hours of the day.

As of 2019, statistics showed that more than 44 million Americans rent their homes. For many it feels like the reality of homeownership is slipping further away as experts recently warned that many first time-buyers should be prepared to wait years to have their own home.

In times of rising inflation and a cost of living crisis, many people are finding themselves spending more than they ever have, and while tenants renting their homes do have some rights under federal, state, and some local laws, the reality of life for those who don't own their home can be tough.

In the Mumsnet post, the frustrated tenant explained: "I currently rent, been in the same property almost two years. Last Friday I came home from work and noticed my hot water wasn't working. I messaged my landlord, he said he'd put on the hot water manually until he could get an electrician out."

But the previous day, the poster received a message from their landlord as the electrician had arrived.

The message said: "Electrician here setting [the] clock for emersion. What times do you require hot water each day?" Confused, the tenant replied and said mornings and evenings and asked if this would be temporary.

Replying, the landlord revealed that he had set the hot water to heat between 4-6 a.m. and 6-8 p.m. daily.

Frustrated, the tenant said: "Am I being unreasonable to think this is ridiculous? I got up early this morning at 7 a.m. and had eight minutes of a lukewarm shower, I've come home from a sporting event and the water's freezing. I'm watching the clock so I can have a hot shower."

In a later comment, the poster also explained that they live in a barn conversion property at the back of the landlord's home, with all bills included in the price of rent.

"Do you share a hot water tank with the landlord or something?" asked one commenter. "I can't see how it cools down so fast unless someone is using it."

"That's crazy," said another reply. "Tell him you are going to be boiling water in kettles until it's fixed."

Another commenter suggested: "You need to say that the system is not working. The hours are too restrictive and the water is not even hot during those hours," while one user said: "Since water is included in rent then withdraw part of the rent until the landlord fixes the water problem."

More furious Mumsnet users continued to share their outrage and upset. "Keep on at him," said one reply. "Text every time you need it and there is none. Be polite but consistent—a pain 'till it's resolved."

"If he's like this regarding hit water what are his plans for the heating during winter?" said another comment.

One Mumsnet user stated: "You are a paying tenant. You should have access to hot water whenever you want it. Without needing a discussion with the landlord."

Newsweek was unable to verify the details of this case.