A Rant

Bungarm2001

When the guy gets around to do the safety check, he will show you how everything works.

Ideally, the checks should have been done no later than on the day you moved in if the old checks cert is no longer valid, or if it is still valid, the copy should have been passed to you along with the keys.

I'm confused now about your boiler...have you actually found it yet??

Drea

moneysavinmonkey wrote: »

sounds like you are just fiddling with the thermostat and you haven't actually located the boiler yet? the boiler is a white box thing.. see here as tbs624 it is standard that when you move into a property you have to 'switch on' the boiler so you need to locate it!

When we moved into the property we had great fun finding the randomly placed electrical switches for the 2x boilers and cooker - one was behind a kitchen drawer unit and could only be access by taking the drawer off it's hinges and reaching behind the unit!

I'd be wary if you call the letting agents out to show you how to switch the heating on and it's not faulty then they may try to charge you.

No it's definetly the boiler controls I was using. And aparantly according to my mum the boiler was there in the same cupboard. I must be going insane, I was fiddling around with the controls all night and didn't notice this 3 foot big thing.

Bungarm2001 wrote: »

Definitely the LL's responsibility to get the gas safety check done. It isn't up to you to do this because you will end up paying for it. (anything from £50 - £75 + vat) Chase up the LA as a matter of urgency.

I take it from your confusion over the boiler means that your LL/LA didn't actually see you into the property the day you moved in?? In other words, did they not come in with you and go over how the appliances work and/or any other details about the property such as bin collection day?

Did s/he have an inventory done and did he/she demostrate that the boiler was up and running?? (along with the cooker, washer, f-freezer if these were also provided)

If not, I find it incredible that it seems like they just gave you the keys and left you to get on with it. Phone them and get them round to sort out the gas cert, and also tell them that that you need sonmeone to come around and demonstrate how the boiler and central heating/hot water works.

No they just gave me the keys and I moved in on my own. I wasn't shown anything. Only other time I had been there was to view. I do have an inventory which I am to send back though.

I'm worried now that if I phone and say this man can come do the safety checks then at the end he will turn round and expect payment from me. I don't even have the money to give him!

mlz1413

Bungarm2001 wrote: »

.

I'm confused now about your boiler...have you actually found it yet??

I'm confused too - never known a boiler to hide before :rotfl: that or I've just never lived in a place big enough to 'lose' one!

Drea

There is something that's hiding though, the gas meter. The LA couldn't find it when he was taking the meter readings aparantly. We don't have a clue.

My flat and my neighbours flat used to be just one flat, is there any chance there could be just one meter, and he has it? Just an idea someone from work came up with...

elkay115

Can I intervene here on the behalf of my child. (And my sanity). She has found the boiler. She just didn't realise this was what it was. :rotfl: She has never lived in a house with gas central heating before other than with me and we mostly had a back boiler so she's not used to dealing with them.

The LA did just give her the keys without showing her how anything works. I had a quick look round the day she moved in, but at the time we didn't concentrate too much on the heating, mostly got on with unpacking. Anyway she has located the boiler. She said last night that she was looking at the instruction manual and couldn't get it on. I did notice that I couldn't find a thermostat anywhere in the house. And according to the LA when she moved in, they couldn't find the gas meter anywhere to do a meter reading.

Like I said I have a back boiler just now so can't remember exactly how you would switch on the boiler. Any tips there, or would she just be better waiting until the guy comes out to do the safety check? She has an immersion heater that at least gives her hot water for now.

Drea

elkay115 wrote: »

Can I intervene here on the behalf of my child. (And my sanity). She has found the boiler. She just didn't realise this was what it was. :rotfl: She has never lived in a house with gas central heating before other than with me and we mostly had a back boiler so she's not used to dealing with them.

The LA did just give her the keys without showing her how anything works. I had a quick look round the day she moved in, but at the time we didn't concentrate too much on the heating, mostly got on with unpacking. Anyway she has located the boiler. She said last night that she was looking at the instruction manual and couldn't get it on. I did notice that I couldn't find a thermostat anywhere in the house. And according to the LA when she moved in, they couldn't find the gas meter anywhere to do a meter reading.

Like I said I have a back boiler just now so can't remember exactly how you would switch on the boiler. Any tips there, or would she just be better waiting until the guy comes out to do the safety check? She has an immersion heater that at least gives her hot water for now.

What she said :rotfl:

tbs624

Re: Gas Meter - sorry Drea , but your LA sounds like a complete and utter amateur. If they are responsible for the letting they should know about these things. Does the idiot know which utility company is responsible for the supply?

Please remember that, unfortunately, no training, qualification or particular expertise is necessary to set up as a LA - a good proportion of them are clueless.

You need to get a meter reading asap so as not to be charged for anyone else's usage.It is the LAs job to get hold of the LL straight away and sort all this out.

You are entitled by law to the LL's name and address, if you ask in writing, this info must be given to you within 21 days of your request. Get it asap and make sure you keep all dealings with this LA documented with dates, who you spoke to, copy letters etc throughout your tenancy.

Have they registered your deposit yet?

elkay115

She has the LL address etc. And the LL was on holiday but is back today seemingly. She was told that she won't be charged for gas until the meter reading can be taken so that should be ok. We don't know (I don't think) who supplies her gas or electricity.
Her LA are nobs to be fair, they bumbled around because it was supposed to be a furnished flat and held back her moving in day by a day because it still wasn't fully furnished.

I think the boiler is new so won't be liable for needing a safety check before she moved in though.

Bungarm2001

I think the boiler is new so won't be liable for needing a safety check before she moved in though

Yes, technically it is, but the LL is probably doing what we do with a new boiler...we wait until the new tenant has a date for moving in, then do the safety check, show the tenant how it all works and issue the certs on the same day. Everybody happy.

ps don't forget, the safety checks includes all Gas appliances...cookers, heaters etc

elkay115

She has moved in. She moved in on Friday, and she has emailed the LA about the heating and he told her he would speak to the LL. He doesn't seem all that bothered to be honest. I have told her to phone LA but he is always very dismissive of her when she phones, so she gets worried about phoning him, he makes her feel that she is annoying him! She is still young after all and not had the years experience of dealing with these type of people yet so not very assertive when she needs to be with them.