Tenant wants to call a plumber

kmmr

Hi,

My tenants have a minor issue with the boiler - which I think is a non issue, and is something that 3 other tenants have lived with for the last 2 years with no comment. I also lived in the property for a couple of years.

It's not worth going into, but I just wondered if they insist on calling a plumber, and he says 'its a non-issue, it a 'feature' of this type of boiler', and hands me a bill for £150, can I ask them to pay it?

I am in London, and I have never managed to get a plumber out for less than that - even if they aren't able to do anything!

I know there is a goodwill element here, but how far does that have to go? I am covered by BG homecare, but I suspect even they will charge me if I call them out for nothing.

Thanks

KMMR

poppysarah

What is the issue?

Annisele

I also think it depends on what the (non) issue is.

If it's something that tenants can expect the LL to fix and you haven't, then you are liable (with reason) for the bills associated with diagnosing/fixing it. If it's not, then you're not.

kmmr

I'll PM you - I don't really want the tenants to find me here getting general advice, and they will identify it if I describe it here...

BitterAndTwisted

Is the attention needed to the boiler a performance one or an issue that is connected to safety?

It's your responsibility in the first instance to engage a workman but if it is a known performance issue your tenants are complaining of you need to point this out to them, and also your reluctance to call out a workman for no appreciable increase in performance. Then, should they deem it necessary to call out a workman they will be doing it at their own expense and not yours.

poppysarah

This issue - is it relating to the energy output of the boiler? So it can only run half a bath of hot water?

If it's a boiler too low powered for the property size then that's unreasonable for a tenant to put up with.

If it's that you can't have the heating and water on at the same time then that's annoying.

If it's a "not serious" issue then why don't you inform tenants about it before hand?

kmmr

I did inform them - but as they were moving in, and not before. And I have given them a simple workaround that works.

I write a little 'welcome to the flat' letter, including things like how to register for council tax, where to get takeaway etc, and I include it in there next to the BG number.

kmmr

poppysarah - did you get the PM? I had a posting issue as I sent it.

G_M

Impossible to comment on the issue without knowing the problem, but so far as the principal is concerned, I would never allow the tenants to engage anyone to look at/work on the boiler. Who knows who they'll employ? GasSafe registered? Maybe not!

So. Get them to write to you with details of the problem. If you deem it to warrant investigation, send in your GasSafe plumber. If not, write back telling them why.

If it becomes an ongoing bone of contention between you, do not renew their tenancy when the fixed term expires (if fixed term), and find new tenants. And make sure before the next tenants move in they know all about the boiler's 'idiosyncracies'!

Kitten_Pie

I live in london and have had a plumber out for less. I went on ratedpeople or one of those websites and found a great plumber who came out the same day on a Saturday and charged nothing for coming round and quoting. Because of that I have used him several times since and am thrilled with the work.

kmmr

Sorry - to clarify - they are asking me to get a plumber for them. I'd only use gassafe of course.

Issue is not safety related, it is more along the lines of the 'running two taps together' type issue. Could potentially be resolved by a new boiler, but maybe not. I don't really want to have to pay to find out!