Rented house boiler issue!
Author
Discussion

Jay12329

Original Poster:

115 posts

207 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
I live in a rented house and have currently been without a boiler (no heating or timed hot water) for 2 weeks. Luckily I have an electric shower so I don’t stink out the office!

I've had to be at home for two days so far for N-power engineers to attend and they have now refused to do any more work as the current installation is not 'up to code.'

I've spent today slapping e-mails back and forth to the agents and the landlords cretin of a handy man is getting the n-power report tomorrow and will then arrange to come and look at the issue.

I've raised the issue of compensation with the agent and suggested 250-300quid would be a sensible figure, taking into account I'm paid >100quid a day and changed out by the company at over 600 I feel this is a generous offer on my part. Also considering we pay 875 a month and have been without services for 1/2 a month!

The agent has suggested that £50 would be an overly generous amount for compensation from the land lord!

So PH’ers both tenants and land lords am I being unreasonable?

Ta

J

Simpo Two

89,217 posts

281 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
As a future landlord, if something breaks in the hosue I let then I'll take every reasonable step to fix it as quickly as possible - but I wouldn't expect to pay compensation on top.


ATEOTD I suppose it depends what's in the contract you signed. Thanks for the warning though - I will ensure an exclusion clause!

Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 18th June 16:05

BERGS2

2,826 posts

264 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
Jay12329 said:
I live in a rented house and have currently been without a boiler (no heating or timed hot water) for 2 weeks. Luckily I have an electric shower so I don’t stink out the office!

I've had to be at home for two days so far for N-power engineers to attend and they have now refused to do any more work as the current installation is not 'up to code.'

I've spent today slapping e-mails back and forth to the agents and the landlords cretin of a handy man is getting the n-power report tomorrow and will then arrange to come and look at the issue.

I've raised the issue of compensation with the agent and suggested 250-300quid would be a sensible figure, taking into account I'm paid >100quid a day and changed out by the company at over 600 I feel this is a generous offer on my part. Also considering we pay 875 a month and have been without services for 1/2 a month!

The agent has suggested that £50 would be an overly generous amount for compensation from the land lord!

So PH’ers both tenants and land lords am I being unreasonable?

Ta

J
you think £300 out of £875 would be reasonable for two weeks of not having heating over the Summer?

this would imply that £600 out of the 875 you're paying is the 'value' of having hot water. Surely a little ripe?

Sorry, but i'd be with the agent here - you should however ask the LL to install a new boiler ASAP - not being 'up to code' means that its probably fooked..

davidjpowell

18,385 posts

200 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
I think there is a statutory responsiblity on the landlord to provide hot water. Because he has not he is in breach of agreement. Arguably should he charge rent at all for the period?

It would obviously see a big falling out, so you may not want to follow that approach.

Arthur Jackson

2,111 posts

246 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
Jay12329 said:
.... the current installation is not 'up to code.'
They've been watching too much 'Holmes On Homes' on the Discovery Channel.
I think 'Code' is a term the American's use to describe what we refer to as 'Regulations' in the UK Construction Industry.
I can't speak for 'Gas Safe', but CORGI used to categorise as: 'Substandard', 'At Risk' and 'Immediately Dangerous'. Only AR or ID require boiler shutting off (and disconnection with ID).

thesilentpartner

136 posts

223 months

Thursday 18th June 2009
quotequote all
Think you're asking a bit much of the landlord asking for £300 quid back.

Personally, as a landlord I would happily make myself or another member of staff available for the engineers call (they normally give a hours notice or so if you ask) which means the tenant doesn't have to take time off work. Maybe this is the way you should go in the future ?

I don't know the legalities of it, but I simply work on the basis it is to my advantage to get on well with the tenants as ultimately I want them to stay.