Landlady won't accept the heating issue

Turnbull2000

Sorry OP, you'll have to either put up or move out. The landlady can quite easily evict you for kicking up a fuss. The law is sh*t, but that's how it is,

red_devil

Turnbull2000 wrote: »

Sorry OP, you'll have to either put up or move out. The landlady can quite easily evict you for kicking up a fuss. The law is sh*t, but that's how it is,

surely the next person would want decent heating though wouldnt they?

joerugby

I'm afraid you need to look for somewhere else to live

LittleMissAspie

red_devil wrote: »

surely the next person would want decent heating though wouldnt they?

Yes but they'll take the house because of the size and location, and won't realise how bad the cold and condensation are until it's too late. Then they'll complain to the landlady who won't do anything, so they'll move out. Someone else will take the house because of the size...

High turnover but the landlady won't care as long as she's getting some money out of it. She may have no mortgage on it for all we know.

BackOnTrack

Here is what I think you should do:

• Inform the landlord in writing that you will arrange the repair yourself unless the she complies with her obligations

• Give her 2 weeks to arrange the work

• Obtain 3 quotes for the cost of the work from reputable plumbers

• Write to her again, enclosing copies of the quotes and reminding her of her obligation to do the work and the letter should warn her that you will deduct the cost from rent

• If you don't get a response then arrange for the plumber who gave the lowest quote to do the work and send the receipts to the landlady for payment

• If she doesn't pay then pay the plumber yourself. Then write to her with a breakdown of the costs and how much you intend to withhold from your rent.

I believe this to be legal, I think it is called offset or something.

Good luck

Cissi

BackOnTrack wrote: »

Here is what I think you should do:

• Inform the landlord in writing that you will arrange the repair yourself unless the she complies with her obligations

• etc etc

All very well - except that it isn't simply a case of "repair" as I read the OP but rather that the entire system needs to be refurbished - in the eyes of the OP at least. Therein lies the rub: the LL is free to rent out a house with an antequated heating system if she wants to! The OP is free to accept this because they love the house, location etc - or give the proper notice and find alternative accomodation.

It would be different if the house was nice and toasty when OP moved in and things have since broken down - then it really would be a case of effecting a "repair". But it doesn't sound as if this is the case so unfortunately there is probably no way of *forcing* the LL to install a new heating system.

BackOnTrack

Cissi wrote: »

All very well - except that it isn't simply a case of "repair" as I read the OP but rather that the entire system needs to be refurbished - in the eyes of the OP at least. Therein lies the rub: the LL is free to rent out a house with an antequated heating system if she wants to! The OP is free to accept this because they love the house, location etc - or give the proper notice and find alternative accomodation.

It would be different if the house was nice and toasty when OP moved in and things have since broken down - then it really would be a case of effecting a "repair". But it doesn't sound as if this is the case so unfortunately there is probably no way of *forcing* the LL to install a new heating system.

True, the threat of witholding rent might make the LL reconsider though.

Wee_Willy_Harris

BackOnTrack wrote: »

True, the threat of witholding rent might make the LL reconsider though.

Reconsider having the OP as a tenant at all!

The LL is being asked to make what she considers to be an unecessary upgrade. But what will SHE get in return? Even if she spends the money, there is nothing stopping the tenant leaving. So, perhaps a conversation with the LL offering to commit to a longer tenancy term if the heating is renewed might provide the security of income needed to justify the expense. Worth a try.

red_devil

LittleMissAspie wrote: »

Yes but they'll take the house because of the size and location, and won't realise how bad the cold and condensation are until it's too late. Then they'll complain to the landlady who won't do anything, so they'll move out. Someone else will take the house because of the size...

High turnover but the landlady won't care as long as she's getting some money out of it. She may have no mortgage on it for all we know.

What a hassle keep getting new tenants in though. She might get some bad tenants who dont look after the house. If you have decent tenants surely better to get the heating done and keep them.

Oldernotwiser

Although I hope you get your problem sorted, don't worry about the baby question. Children have survived in houses without any heating for many centuries and yours will be no different.

Regarding the condensation; do you keep your bedroom well ventilated?