Landlord And Heating Problems

Ken68

Don't know if it's because of my age, but the local authority are chucking grants at me for free insulation, via CLEAR SKIES. Fairly sure it is available to tenants, certainly if on benefits.

Fran

black-saturn wrote:

I know it's slightly off topic again but there is a new rule coming out for anyone on Housing Benefit that might help.

At the moment if you pay the rent yourself and you are in a rented house which is in severe disrepair or has a problem like these and your landlord won't fix it you can either withhold your rent until the problem is rectified or you can get the work done yourself and deduct the amount it cost from your rent. The problem when you are on HB is that the rent money goes straight to your landlord so there is no way of doing this. All the landlord is bothered about is raking his money in and won't spend any money on repairs.

But as of March 2007 HB are going to stop all direct payments to landlords. All HB payments are going to go to the tenant who will then have to pay the landlord. This has been done to enable people to make essential repairs on their homes which otherwise they would have to put up with.

If you withold your rent you face the possiblity of eviction Shelter website mentions witholding rent as being a legal reason for eviction:-

Beware: If your landlord can prove a legal reason for eviction (for example because you have been withholding rent) your landlord may be able to evict you more quickly. Depending on the seriousness of the problem, it may be unwise to take action in this situation. Talk to an adviser before you decide what to do.

black-saturn,
Where have you got the information about new housing benefit rules? Is this only applicable to private renting or certain tenancy types or is this going to be a blanket rule for all housing benefit awards?

black-saturn

Fran wrote:

black-saturn,
Where have you got the information about new housing benefit rules? Is this only applicable to private renting or certain tenancy types or is this going to be a blanket rule for all housing benefit awards?

My parents are landlords and they went to a meeting last week outlining these new rules.

Cardew

[QUOTE=derbylad111

On Sunday evening, I did a meter reading and this morning the reading was 80 units higher. What will this cost me approx per week?

[/QUOTE]

Although it depends on your tariff the average price is 7 pence per unit, so 80 units = approx £5.60.

It is difficult to estimate how much you will use a week based on figures for 36 hours; especially as it has been very cold lately. I would take a rough guess at £25-30 a week.

jen_jen_2

i would check out if you're entitled to any warmfront grants, they are for pensioners and people on certain benefits. they will provide for measures to insulate your home at no cost to you or landlord.

also contact your supplier, do they have a vulnerable persons tarriff or a guaranteed price and shop around for a cheaper supplier if you use lots of electricity or gas.

suzyq

I know someone who has been having similar problems, freezing cold house and landlord refusing to put in central heating. She was informed by the energy advice centre that in April new legislation will come into force re rented property.
She was told that she should go to the local Environmental health dept and lodge a complaint.
The Environmental health officers would visit the property and then take up the issue.
Hope this helps.