Landlady won't accept the heating issue

Becca87_2

Hi all. I'm looking for some advice if anyone can help me.

Me and my partner moved in to a privately-rented house in December. The location and size of the house are perfect so we'd prefer not to move, but there are a couple of issues that we're trying to resolve. The heating system is very dated and inefficient. A plumber who has been round three times to fix various leaks (which have occurred because the system hasn't been maintained) said the upstairs radiators must be pre-1940s, and the whole system looks as if it was fitted by some practising trainees. The upstairs radiators emit hardly any heat at all; our bedroom is easily the coldest room in the house (and with very little insulation in the walls, this means it's very cold indeed!). The downstairs radiators aren't big enough for the rooms they're supposed to be heating, and they're covered in layers of white paint. Our gas bill for the first month was more than double what we were paying at our previous home.

Almost all the units in the double glazing windows are blown, causing condensation within the glass.

The cold temperature and the lack of decent ventilation and insulation is causing a condensation problem, particularly in our bedroom where serious mould is growing on the windowsill!

The plumber who's been round several times has recommended to our landlady that the whole heating system be updated, but she refused. When we had to call him out to fix the leaking bathroom radiator yet again, he made his recommendation once more but she apparently just told him to fix the leak (and refused to pay for another three or four hours' labour for a new radiator part, which it clearly needs!).

We've written a letter to the landlady detailing our concerns about the cold and the condensation, and saying that we'd be happy to commit to a long-term rental agreement if she could give us a commitment regarding the heating system. Our letter was ignored, so my partner rang her on Monday. It went to voicemail, so he left a message asking her to ring back to discuss our concerns (and also informing her about the bathroom radiator's third leak). She sent the plumber round to fix the leak (without informing us that he was coming - which she has a habit of doing...), but hasn't been in touch with us at all.

We've heard on the grapevine that she's not a woman to be crossed, and we obviously don't want to have an awkward relationship with her as we'd like to stay in the house for a long time (on the condition that the heating issue is resolved). We'd like to start a family within the next couple of years, but we don't think it'll be possible in these conditions (the plumber asked my partner on his first visit if we had any children, and he was relieved that the answer was no because he said this isn't a place for a baby to be brought up). If we contact the landlady again, it feels as if we're pestering her. Where do we stand? Are we in a position to involve Environmental Health, or should we contact the landlady again first?

Thank you

poppysarah

Apart from the fact it's freezing, poorly insulated you love it.

Do you have a gas safety certificate?

samuellification

Hi,

Try this link:
england.shelter.org.uk /get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_in_private_lets/contacting_environmental_health
We lived in our rented property for 5 years, loved in, but the boiler leaked and the heating was always insufficient. Like you, the landlord sent out plumbers who did nothing and the landlords never helped past that. In our case, we told them we wouldn't stay another winter and kept to that, but in your case I'd say to try writing a non-confrontational letter thanking her for sending round the plumber but that the standards of heating etc are inadequate.

If this goes ignored further you are within your rights to contact Environmental Health. It will antagonate the landlady, but maybe they need to do their jobs better?!

silvercar

The landlord has an obligation to keep the heating system in good repair. There is no obligation to update the system, even if it would make financial sense to keep decent tenants in situ.

mustrum_ridcully

@OP so you'd like to stay at the property for a long time and the LL isn't one to be crossed?

That's not good

If you make too much noise about the heating issue don't be surprised if you receive a retaliatory s21 notice (one might already be on its way). If you do get one there a few that can be done legally to make things potentially tricky for LL (like checking paperwork is correct and money is in a TDS).

IronWolf

She's refused, so unless there is a health issue, you'll either have to live with it or move out.

Niv

I knwo this doesn't address the landlady issue but thinking of you; have you tried bleeding the radiaters? I only suggest this as if you have a number of leaks (that may now be repaired - for now) then there could be air in the system which may account for a cold radiator. I know this does not help get the system updated etc but wanted to add this so that you could get warm! :-)

Good luck getting this issue sorted.

Niv

poppysarah

Do you have a gas cert and did you get an EPC before you signed for the property?

You'd have known then it was a cold house.

You should write all repairs down including DG that's blown and write to her.

If they're not serious issues (ie: only affecting how warm you are) then expect LL to do as little as possible.

As someone has pointed out trying to get the house warmer might result in your being evicted... However do you really like the house enough to freeze in?

theartfullodger

A couple of useful links from the experts in these matters, Shelter...

1st some sample letters including a couple on repairs....

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/downloads_and_tools/sample_letters

2nd on repairs, who is responsible, general advice etc..
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_in_private_lets

Hope it works out: You MUST put things in writing, (keep copy!), again: Your landlady sounds an idiot...

Cheers!

Artful (Landlord..)

red_devil

ask her how would she like to live like that.

Seriously i live in a house without central heating the landlady wont do it. There are some things you can get on a grant i had gas wall heaters put in. The house is v cold in winter but lovely and cool in the summer.

what about fan heaters? Dosent sound like she wants to talk with you about it.

evoke

Another greedy, scummy landlord. Put up with it or move. Forcing the issue will probably make her kick you out.