Water Leak

[Sam S]

I moved into my new flat 5 months ago. Last week I noticed that the wooden flooring in my bedroom had started to lift and ripple. So I called the developers who came around to have a look.
After lifting some of the wood flooring, they discovered that there was a water leak from the bathroom. A faulty water pipe leading to the shower had been dripping for the past 5 months and water has travelled under the partition wall and into the bedroom as well as into the kitchen/lounge area. They admitted this was their fault and they would fix it as I am still within warranty.
All of the flooring in the bedroom will have to be taken up, left to dry out and then replaced, over half of the floor in the lounge/kitchen, and all of the bathroom e.g. toilet/shower cubicle and the tiling will need to be replaced. Half of the partition wall has also been removed as it was covered in damp.
I have also noticed that the furniture that was against the wall is covered in block mould and will need replacing.
They have turned on all the electric heaters in the flat and will put in some humidifiers and told me to leave them on for a week or so until the damp is dried out.
They have advised me to move out of the property so that they have enough space to work (my flat is quite small- only 3rooms, all of which are affected). I agreed, & will be staying with friends.
When I asked them about relocation costs, they said they would get back to me. I also asked if they would reimburse me for the furniture that has been ruined, they said no.
I'm a first time buyer and on a v.tight budget.All of this (extra travel costs, electricity, new furniture) will leave me broke. Just wondered if I would be entitled to any compensation, at least for the furniture, as all the damage has resulted from a fault which they have admitted to.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated,
thanks

Sam S

[Tony]

Hi Sam,

This sounds like a real pain and you should be compensated. Keep on asking and if that doesn't work take them to the small claims court - you will need to keep good records. Money Claim Online

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Tony

[Keif]

You should take meter readings for gas/electricity for the period you are away and charge them for the cost of having your heating on and for running the dehumidifiers.

[Sam S]

Thanks for all the advice...Just to keep you updated, the developers came round and offered to pay me the equivalent of two weeks rent to cover the period while I'm out of the flat.
I agreed and they said they would get straight to work on the repairs. Later, I emailed them asking if they would cover the electricity costs and repairs/replacement of my damaged furniture. Didnt get a reply, so telephoned them, only to be told that they didnt take to kindly to my email and that because of my email (requesting more costs to be covered) they have put any further repairs/work on my flat on hold until further notice.
When asked how long this would be for, they said that they would need time to consider my requests and would get back to me. Surely I'm not being unreasonable asking them to compensate me for damaged furniture and electricity costs?
Thanks for the advice about the meter readings, all the meters are in a locked cupboard under the stairs in the communal hallway. so will need to get the electricity company to take a reading for me.