Yey another burst - Renting, easy to claim back?

MercilessKiller

So, radiator burst and landlord not contactable (I rent from a letting agency)/

I've called a recommend plumber who's coming to fix it. He has to completely detach the radiator...

Will it be very easy to submit the invoice to the letting agency and get this money back? I've never had to do this before (new to the whole renting thing on my own) and I over worry, a lot

Also, this is the 4th burst in as many months... Is this usual? I know people are having bursts but 4 in 4 months seems like quite a lot? Should I be thinking of moving elsewhere?

Thanks for any advice Plumber is downstairs as we speak.

Geenie

Is it the pipe connecting to the radiator that is bursting, as 4 in 4 months appears to suggest faulty plumbing. Is the house insulated properly and are there pipes running in cold, freezing areas?

I don't have experience of LA's, but as a LL I expect to be contactable 24/7 for emergencies, and give tenants my mobile number as well as all of the usual home stuff. I am the one who organises a plumber to come out.

I would check your AST on what to do in these circumstances, but can't see how if the LA's have gone off on their Xmas jolly and left no contact details, you can't do anything but get someone in to repair the damage. Do you not have any details of who the LL is? This is a disgrace. Good luck OP, and sorry I couldn't be of more help.

G_M

Your landlord's name/address (may be c/o the agency) should be on the tenancy agreement you signed.

Was the plumber 'recommended' to you on this occasion after you reported the problem and got told to call him, or is it a standing recommendation, or is he the guy who came last time?
Have you informed the agents? If so, how?

You MUST report this, and all problems, in writing (by post,not text, email...) to the address on the contract. If you arrange repairs you should ideally have agreement from the LL or agent. Preferably in writing. But send receipts to the LL/agnt with full explanation of what happened, attempts you made to conatct them, costs you paid etc.

I would be requesting a review by a plumber of the whole system. Is it a gas fired system? Do you have a copy of the gas safety certificate?

tyllwyd

If the radiators have been bursting for the last four months, the first one must have been back in September or so? Long before there would have been any suggestion of frozen pipes. I think there must be a basic problem with the central heating system.

MercilessKiller

Thanks everyone - Plumber did say he thinks there's something wrong with the system as the pressure was high after he bled the radiators (combi boiler is in the roof going down)... He said after he bled ,the pressure on the boiler went up and he couldnt get his head around it.

He charged £75, gave me a full invoice. I'll ring the agent again tomorrow. I left a message for the LL the second I discovered it. The time of the message is just before the time the plumber wrote down on the invoice he got the call....

It was recommended from a relative, not the LL unfortunately! Nothing more I can do but all fixed now. Thanks for your comments!

caeler

Just an observation but I'm not sure you gave the LL a chance to return your call. Just because LL didn't answer the phone doesn't mean they are ignoring you.

G_M

caeler wrote: »

Just an observation but I'm not sure you gave the LL a chance to return your call. Just because LL didn't answer the phone doesn't mean they are ignoring you.

Indeed. It is the LL's respnsiblilty to repair, and it is also his right to choose which workmen work on HIS property and appliances.

If you unreasonably authorised work without giving him an opportunity to do so, and used an engineer who was NOT recommended (sorry - your relative does not count!) then he could decline to pay your costs, especially as your 'recommended' plumber appears to have been incompetant ("he couldnt get his head around it.")!

jenniferfluff29

No advice on claiming back but re. your high pressure in the boiler.

The resting pressure on my combi boiler sits between the safe levels. However, when the engineer came to service it, he said that the pressure was high when the boiler was on. This was due to the expansion vessel needs air pumped into it. He got a foot pump and put more air into the vessel.

This may be a pointer for you boiler. good luck

MercilessKiller

The LL has not responded since I left the message. No acknowledgement.. nothing.. water was bursting out of the radiator so I had to do something! stopping the water the entire night would have been unreasonable.

Only charged £75 in the end which is less than I thought so hope I can claim back with no issues. once done I'll demand a full review of the plumbing system by an official plumber as he was seriously concerned many shortcuts had been taken...!

Thanks for all your comments

MercilessKiller

Just an update, spoke to the landlord today - Said he'll pay back the £75 without an issue which is nice...

I'm going to wait till he's paid it and then bring up the full plumbing review (don't want to cause tension before I have my money back!)

BaldPlumber

MercilessKiller wrote: »

Thanks everyone - Plumber did say he thinks there's something wrong with the system as the pressure was high after he bled the radiators (combi boiler is in the roof going down)... He said after he bled ,the pressure on the boiler went up and he couldnt get his head around it.

There are only two possible explanations. Either the filling link is letting by or the secondary heat exchanger is perforated.