It's been a while

[kim68]

hi everyone, haven't posted for a couple of years but could really do with some advice.
After 14 years of owning my own salon I decided the stress was too much and now have been renting a chair in a salon for 3 years. All going ok, except the owner can be a bit lazy with maintenance and the every day running of a business. Won't go into that, but today I arrived and was told there's no hot water! Boiler trouble. I didn't have a full column but the clients I had booked were unable to have the full service they were booked in for. My 1st for instance had her hair sprayed wet and cut instead of her usual wash and cut, so naturally I charged her accordingly so I lost out by a few £s. This afternoon I had a perm booked but was unable to do it as the water system was still down so again I sprayed her hair and cut and blow dried it, again charging a lot less than I would normally. (I have rescheduled the perm) so obviously my takings were down due to there being no hot water. I am charged a daily rental so was wondering if I should approach her and ask for a rent reduction for today? In the 3 years I've been there the boiler, as far as I'm aware, has not been serviced, so I guess this could have been avoided. All other appointments rescheduled, but those that came in I lost money on. What do you think?

 

[AcidPerm]

Do you have a written contract? It should include the services that are provided by the Salon owner (landlord) under the terms of the contract.

I'd have also thought that the boiler not being serviced annually could be a breach of health & safety regulations as presumably, there could be a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from a badly maintained boiler.

Regardless, I would definitely deduct an amount that you consider reasonable for the lack of hot water because it has directly affected your takings and potentially could affect your business longer term if clients felt that you were unable to provide a consistent quality of service.

 

[kim68]

Do you have a written contract? It should include the services that are provided by the Salon owner (landlord) under the terms of the contract.

I'd have also thought that the boiler not being serviced annually could be a breach of health & safety regulations as presumably, there could be a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from a badly maintained boiler.

Regardless, I would definitely deduct an amount that you consider reasonable for the lack of hot water because it has directly affected your takings and potentially could affect your business longer term if clients felt that you were unable to provide a consistent quality of service.

Hi "AcidPerm"
Thanks for your reply

Unfortunately there's no written contract. Which in hindsight seems pretty stupid on my part. I agree with you on the health and safety breach entirely! I have brought this subject up previously with her but I think she feels I'm "poking my nose in"! I have considered moving myself and clients elsewhere, but there's a possibility it could cause me to lose business which at the moment I can ill afford.

I will approach her and ask for a percentage of my daily rate be reduced in line with the amount I've lost today.

Thanks again for your reply