Boiler not working properly - landlord not fixing

dawnie1972

My boiler developed a fault on 16th November (the part that you turn to pressurise the boiler was so warn that you couldnt turn the bottom so my landlord took the part away to get a new one!). He finally fitted the new part FIVE weeks ago - but on doing so could not get the boiler to fire up again and had to call a plumber out and they got it to work. However ever since it has been losing pressure constantly, its meant to be at approx 1.5bar but isn't holding the pressure and keeps dropping to 0.5bar - a plumber has looked at it and did something to the pressure vessel, my landlord looked at it again last week but its still not working properly - for example today when i got up it was at 0.5 so i pressurised it up to 1.5, then by 1pm it was back down to 0.5 so i pressurised it again, and at 6pm it was back down to 0.5 - and it continues. My landlord "claims" he has spoken to a plumber as has been told to "leave it a couple of weeks" I'm fuming - this has been going on since 16th November - where do i stand legally. Because the pressure is so low it doesn't appear to be heating the house as it should and the water temperature doesn't appear warm enough.

ciano125

Tell him you'll hold onto the rent "for a couple of weeks" or until it is fixed, see how long it takes him then.

G_M

So have you put anything in writing?
And is the LL GasSafe registered?
And is the plumber GasSafe registered? (Only GasSafe engineers can work on gas boilers (I assume it's gas?) ).

Write to the LL recorded delivery telling him the heating still does not work. Don't phone, text or email!
List the history - date of 1st breakdown, dates of all visits: by whom/ what was done.
Insist that the heating/boiler be fixed without further delay by a GasSage registered engineer. Ask to be advised when the engineer will visit (when he comes, ask to see his GasSafe ID - see here) and say that in view of the time already passed you believe 3 working days is a reasonable period to get an engineer in.

ps - witholding rent will only put you in the wrong. At present it is the LL in the wrong!
pps - for more info see shelter here.

clutton_2

if it is losing this much pressure it is likely that there is a leak somewhere.. have you checked all the radiators and joints in the pipes......

dawnie1972

Forgot to say - its managed by a letting agent so they are also aware of the problem - everything has been recorded in writing - ie the number of times i've chased it - yes i did email the letting agent last week and said "how about i hold onto my rent for a couple of weeks to see what happens". The radiators are fine - he said that would be the problem when he called last week - that they would need bleeding but they were fine. There is no evidence of leakage in the pipes.

G_M

No text, no emails, no phone calls - everything in writing. To both the LL AND the agents. Then it's official. Use recorded delivery.
Give them a written deadline and keep paying your rent.

silvercar

dawnie1972 wrote: »

Forgot to say - its managed by a letting agent so they are also aware of the problem - everything has been recorded in writing - ie the number of times i've chased it - yes i did email the letting agent last week and said "how about i hold onto my rent for a couple of weeks to see what happens". The radiators are fine - he said that would be the problem when he called last week - that they would need bleeding but they were fine. There is no evidence of leakage in the pipes.

If you bleed the radiators, the pressure will drop.