Landlord's Electrical Items

artfult

A bit of advice required really!!

I have just moved into a rented property which is really nice except just as we were signing the contracts and going through the itinery, the agent we are renting of informed us that in the kutchen was a dehumidifier and extracter fan that needed to be left on permanantly and the settings were not to be adjusted as they had a problem with damp.

Both of these items are plugged into electricity sockets on the wall, and I am worried that it is costing a fortune as they seem to constantly be working!

My only question really is; should I be responsible for the cost of operating these items or is that up to the landlord?

Many thanks!

Artfult :beer:

MoneySavingSpender

a) were you informed before signing anything that the dehumidifier needed to be on24/7 for the kitchen and would the rent cover the extra cost of that?

b) if there was a damp problem why have they not considered installing vents etc to permanently fix the problem and if not do they realise it's a health risk not to mention possibly damaging the property? and might be in breach of tenancy/other laws in terms of health and safety?

c) I would get in writing, as fast as humanly possible that they will fix the damp problem A.S.A.P otherwise they will have missold the property in breach of ASA rules most likely and possibly other laws as well.

From my POV you were misled on a property which might lead to the AST you signed to be invalid.

brightonman123

best sort any contribution to leccy BEFORE contracts signed-

i would think place not suitable for renting FULLSTOP, if humid still in place..?

poppysarah

Damp that needs that sort of solution is a problem.

tbs624

Presumably you viewed this property in advance of signing up for it?

Was the LA present at the time, and if so did s/he say anything about the "damp problem" then?

Were both these item switched on then?

What other means of ventilation is there in this room, and what form of heating is provided?

The LL has a legal obligation to keep the structure of a property in good repair - is this a basement flat,and did you notice any particular signs of damp or excessive condensation?

Microstar_2

If its one of those big floor-standing dehumidifiers then they take a fair bit of juice. Reckon on 200-300W or say 7kWh per 24 hours. That's circa £30 a month to add onto your rental costs.
Damp which requires this action is a worry. I would challenge the agent about the damp issue.