Who pays for chimney to be swept?

declutterqueen

Hi Guys.. Quick questions...
Who pays for the chimney to be swept in a private rented property?

Is my LL ment to have carbon monoxide sensors put in to the house? my house has 3 open fires and one has not been able to lite since we moved in 18m ago.. as the back has rotted... they finally got it taken out week after xmas and it is being fixed and put back in end of january, Other 2 fires are open basket and the one chimney went on fire, fire crew said i need to brush it before i lite it again, Rang LL she said oh you will have to find someone to sweep it... never said if she would pay or not....
Who pays??

flora48

According to my AST agreement it is the tenant's responsibility, check what it says in yours.

G_M

Does the contract say anything? The property should be handed over in a safe condition (sounds like it wasn't!) but routine maintenance like ongoing sweeping is probobly tenant's responsibility.

For an easy life and good ongoing relations, find a sweep and get it done.

If you're hard up, not concerned about the LL/tenant relationship, and prepared to be asked to leave when your contract ends, then make an issue - write to the LL saying it's dangerous and asking him to arrange for a swep.

Hammyman

In addition, no legal requirements to have carbon monoxide sensors fitted.

tbs624

IMO the LL can only ask you to have the chimneys swept annually if the LL has had them swept prior to you moving in.

Following on from Artful's quote from Lord Denning, my understanding is that in cases where there is a "living flame" type of gas fire installed then the chimney forms the flue and it should be the responsibility of the LL under the gas safety regs. ( OP obviously hasn't mentioned such a fire, but may be of interest to others reading the thread)

It will cost you around 50 quid and you're best using a sweep who is a member of either the Nat Assoc of Chimney Sweeps or the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps.

As Hammyman says, it's not a legal requirement that your LL provides Carbon Monoxide alarms although many decent LLs do.

Get your own if there are none at the property and use the audible type rather than the card ones that change colour: the reasoning is that by the time they have changed colour you may well be unconsciousness on the floor, not having noticed the change.

theartfullodger

as tbs says, yup, agree..

Think there may be a problem with you having been there 18 mo & not (presumably) raised the issue before so it might be tough to pin the LL with the responsibility.

Are the open fires the only way of heating the place??

Another thing to consider is the HHSRS (see
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/hhsrsoperatingguidance
) - came in in 2004... applies to all properties, either owned or rented, regardless of who owner/landlord is (owner/council/housing-assoc/private-;andlord).

of the 29 risk areas there are...

D PROTECTION AGAINST ACCIDENTS 128
Falls 128
19 ..
20 ...
21 ...
22 ...

Electric Shocks, Fires, Burns and Scalds 146
23 Electrical hazards 146
24 Fire 150
25 Flames, hot surfaces etc 156

& note, p37 in the document,..

A2 Generally, the landlord (or owner) is responsible for the provision, state and proper
working order of the following27:
(a) the exterior and structural elements of the dwelling; and
(b) the installations within and associated with the dwelling for:
i the supply and use of water, gas and electricity;
ii personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage;
iii food safety;
iv ventilation;
v space heating; and

p39..

Space and Water Heating
A14 The term “installations within or associated with the dwelling for space heating”
includes any form of fitted space heating appliance(s) or central heating system, such as
open fireplaces, fixed solid fuel stoves, gas boilers, storage heaters, warm air heating
systems and radiators. It does not include moveable heaters provided by the occupier.

- you might wave that at the Landlord / point him to this thread and tell him it's his responsibility 'cos the government says it is & he might just go ahead & have them swept.

mlz1413

declutterqueen wrote: »

Hi Guys.. Quick questions...
Who pays for the chimney to be swept in a private rented property?

Is my LL ment to have carbon monoxide sensors put in to the house? my house has 3 open fires and one has not been able to lite since we moved in 18m ago.. as the back has rotted... they finally got it taken out week after xmas and it is being fixed and put back in end of january, Other 2 fires are open basket and the one chimney went on fire, fire crew said i need to brush it before i lite it again, Rang LL she said oh you will have to find someone to sweep it... never said if she would pay or not....
Who pays??

I understand an open fire to be the opening within the chimney breast that is used for the lighting of paper/wood/coal.

I don't understand how one of these could be taken out and fixed and put back. Assume it must be the basket or grate - but why that would stop the fire lighting is strange.

Either way I'd ask the LL if they will pay for the sweeping, worst they can do is say no.