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Check your contract. There should be terms within there regarding what the landlord is expected to maintain and fix. There’s also legislation regarding what is mandatory to have working, which I believe is heating and hot water etc.
You “should” get some compensation for the lack of facilities. There’s no real support or protection for renter, we’re essentially all on our own. Shelter might have some template letters available, otherwise it’s going down the no-win-no-fee route if the landlord is stubborn. https://www.housingdisrepairclaim.co.uk/housing-disrepair-claims/
Muppetteer-
Thanks for that. Legally they do have to provide heat and hot water, and as bills are included in my contract (explicitly) I'm in a good spot should they decide to argue. I have just had a response from the managing agents that they've passed my message on to the landlord 'for review'. It's not a huge sum of money to ask for (a week's rent) but it's the principle of paying for something substandard that irks me.
Tenners
I live in a converted flat with a bizarre heating arrangement. In a cupboard I have access to is the gas and electric meter, and in a cupboard my upstairs neighbour has access to (converted 2 up 2 down) is the gas boiler for a combined heating and hot water system that serves both flats.
Over the past week or so we have had recurring issues with the boiler - firstly a leak that required a plumber to visit and say it had to be shut off until it could be repaired and subsequent visits from the said plumber (and 2 other tradespeople) to 'fix the issue'. Finally, after a week without hot water or heating, the issue seems to be resolved. Obviously, given the nighttime temps at the moment and the fact that we have single glazing, the flats have been pretty bloody cold, let alone the lack of hot water.
I have written an email via the managing agents telling the landlord that I would expect "a gesture to be made" to make up for the inconvenience... "Perhaps a rent reduction commensurate to the period of time for which the property was uninhabitable due to disrepair".
My question is, if my landlord doesn't say yes to this or provide a suitable counter-offer, what recourse do I have to get some kind of compensation for this ...if any?