Problems with replacement heater and landlord agents

jh292

Hi all,

I have night storage heaters in my flat, one of which broke. I contacted the agent who responded and sent someone out. However, I am on E.On's heatwise tariff and the heater should be wired directly into the heatwise system. However, the guy that came to do it replaced the storage heater with a panel heater told me that the job was taking longer than expected and instead of wiring it in properly he put a plug on it and plugged it into a normal wall socket. He also put a cover on the old socket which doesn't fit very well.

I decided not to complain as I didn't use that heater much, if at all, as it was in my bedroom however I've changed my flat around and the heater is now in my living room and is the only heater that could heat this room.

A second problem is that the landlord agents have changed and although the heater has timed settings to come on and off, I do not have the economy 7 tariff with heatwise, its just the single rate tariff with heatwise - can I still ask for it to be changed? or will the landlord say that its in working order and the problem should have been reported to the previous agent at the time?

(Heater was replaced in December and landlord changed in April)

BitterAndTwisted

The change of agents has nothing to do with this. Your landlord has replaced a faulty heater and has therefore discharged his legal obligation to provide a source of heating. If it's not wired to your satisfaction to take advantage of a discounted tariff I would say that it would be your responsibility to have it addressed.

princeofpounds

Unfortunately there isn't much you can do. LLs only have to provide a source of heating and to keep appliances they have supplied operational (some appliances like boilers by statute, others by implied contract).

I suppose technically you could claim that the fact that there was a special system for the storage heater was part of the implied contract of provision, and demonstrate a loss through increased energy bills, but I don't think it is the strongest case.

You best bet is to complain and explain, and if they refuse to do anything about it move at the earliest opportunity.

uk_messer

Write to your Landlord and see if they're willing to help out. That's all you can do as far as I can see.

jh292

Thanks everyone!
I had a feeling there was nothing I could do about it! I finish Uni next June so I don't have long to put up with it!