Unfit property (so cold) my rights

Geenie

silvercar wrote: »

Is that true? Or could it be that the better rated property is fitted with dud low energy light bulbs etc to get a better rating?

You have a point there silvercar. The last property I had an EPC done for was marked down because it had 3 foot thick cob walls, which was not on their list of being acceptable, and no low energy light bulbs in 2 rooms, which had been changed by the previous tenant as the low energy are so carp in a small windowed low ceiling cottage. You almost end up blind from the strain of trying to see anything.;) I had missed them before the inspection unfortunately! But that house is so easy to warm up and keep warm in the winter without needing heating on all the time.

hcb42

My house is freezing...old victorian, three storey, sash windows single skin brick construction etc.

However I wouldnt call it an unfit home, not for what I spent on it, but it is impossible to heat, we spend a fortune, the heat escapes straight up the stairs and landing...

If I was renting I would probably rent something modern construction, to keep the bills down, but I think my home is perfectly lettable, surely it's par for the course with older properties? (Obviously we do what we can to limit heat loss..)

Hammyman

Its only in the last 30 years that double glazing and central heating have become commonplace. In my entire childhood till I left home in the mid 80's and even for a few years after that, central heating and double glazing were absent in the home.

Geenie

Hammyman wrote: »

Its only in the last 30 years that double glazing and central heating have become commonplace. In my entire childhood till I left home in the mid 80's and even for a few years after that, central heating and double glazing were absent in the home.

Good point Hammyman. I think we are all being blinded by programmes on tv that every house in the UK should have an ensuite bathroom, be warm, beautifully painted, a joy to live in etc, when in fact a great deal of the properties were poorly built, not insulated properly, leak, are old, cold, and are not without continuing problems.

People have become very intolerant, and the suggestion that they put more clothes on or gather in a room that is warm is deemed unreasonable. I did that in my childhood. The sitting room was kept warm but the rest of the house was blardy freezing in the winter. Still is now when I go my mothers. But she is healthier and more robust then people half her age.

mar<

We just had our tenants heating break down, and they've been without heating for a month. We've tried our hardest to get it reinstated asap, in the end opting to replace the 4yr old boiler. All working fine now and tenant happy with it.

Tenant is asking for compensation now. What should we do?

olly300

mar< wrote: »

We just had our tenants heating break down, and they've been without heating for a month. We've tried our hardest to get it reinstated asap, in the end opting to replace the 4yr old boiler. All working fine now and tenant happy with it.

Tenant is asking for compensation now. What should we do?

Start a new thread and ask the question.

bikerchris

hi there Ash Vanguard,

just wanted to stick my ore in. One thing that you should know is that if you have signed up to a 6 month contract, usual thereafter you are only obliged to give 1/2 months notice of moving out (check the contract).

I'm a new build/extension designer by trade and often encounter heat loss issues in older buildings. In your situation I would first address it to the landlord and get there feedback - don't argue with them or show emotion to them, just state the facts and perhaps ask them how they overcame the problem. As you may know, there are modern building regulations that would never allow this to occur, unfortunately they don't apply to older buildings. If the landlord isn't negotiable and you have a little courage, hint that you will contact the local authority to confirm that it is not a habitable dwelling during the cold months, regardless of heating systems already installed. You could sweeten it by saying that the local authority may be able to provide a small grant to upgrade the insulation or add internal secondary glazing (ugly but cheap/effective). As you can imagine, the council want the property to remain rentable as they receive lovely council TAX. The landlord wants the same as they receive rent. You on the other hand can move elsewhere at the drop of a hat.

Failing the above, or if you aren't inclined, here's some alternatives:

Bear in mind it has been a VERY cold winter so far and we are nearing the end - however it's supposed to get VERY cold again during mid January 2011. So you could grin and bear it.

WALLS - there's little that can be done by you as a humble tenant.

WINDOWS - You can reduce it in 2 ways, a nasty way is tarpaulin. I know what you're thinking, but although it's ugly, the clear version will let sufficient light in and it can be simply tacked in place for temporary use. it's very cheap and quick to install and un-install when you feel the temperature is lowering. option 2 is look around for cheap and thick curtains - sometimes available in charity shops or on sites such as freecycle.

You may already know this, but if you have curtains across windows and radiators below the windows, try tucking the curtain behind the radiator.

FLOORS - Carpet - see if anyone has offcuts and lay it everywhere that is possible/feasible. It's ugly but it will slow heat loss and take the chill out of walking around with bare feet.

BED - get a heated blanket (that you sleep on and not put over yourself), you can buy one for around £20-30 that uses a tiny amount of power (3 watts on the lower settings = negligable running costs) and is perfectly safe.

OTHER HEAT LOSS:

Has the property got an attic door? if so, buy £6 (10m) of draught excluder and install (less than a 5 minute job) and you'll have plenty left for other areas.

If the property has more than one entrance, is it possible to only use one and insulate the other with either draught excluder or even a second hand thick curtain?

Does it have a fireplace? If yes, try using logs/coal as the property was originally designed for that method - under sized radiators may never do the job.

RADIATORS - are they too hot to keep your hand on for 5-10 seconds? If so, they are fine, but do they have any cold/warm spots? There may be air in the system that must be bled out.

Sorry if I've gone on, I really hope you find a solution for you and your G/F.

Cheers!

Chris

poppysarah

mar< wrote: »

We just had our tenants heating break down, and they've been without heating for a month. We've tried our hardest to get it reinstated asap, in the end opting to replace the 4yr old boiler. All working fine now and tenant happy with it.

Tenant is asking for compensation now. What should we do?

a month?

omg.

LilacPixie

OP Are you sure you are not exaggerating about how cold the house is??

clutton_2

a 4 year old boiler should not need replacing..... did you get a second gas engineer in to confirm what was the problem - or did you talk to the Manufacturers' engineers ?

the best form of cheap window insulation is cling film.... tricky to put up ... but it will keep out all draughts - even in a howling gale....