HELP! They're cutting our gas off! Rights as tenants question

ILW

jim.nastics wrote: »

Well technically we don't have a contract with National Grid, but with Southern Electric who supply our gas.

Nothing to do with your LL though.

jim.nastics

ILW wrote: »

Nothing to do with your LL though.

Not true, is it? http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqlandlord.htm#faq9

Werdnal

ILW wrote: »

Not if you are the one that has a contract with the gas company.

Was just about to say the same. OP you are the customer, not the LL. Would you ring the LL if your home shopping delivery didn't arrive?

You pay the gas bill, so t alk to the gas company or your neighbours or both. If it does come to a lack of supply for a few days, it is up to you to negotiate compensation from the supplier, not your LL.

What exactly are you expecting your LL to do here? Bring you 'round a tanker of hot water? Sorry, but some people expect LL's to wave a magic wand and sort out their lives for them!

Only thing you might want to check, is if the gas supply is switched off completely, that there is no need to reset the boiler/pilot light. It wouldn't hurt to make your LL aware of the situation, but they are not responsible for the gas being switched off, or any alternative arrangements or cost you incur as a result.

N79

jim.nastics wrote: »

Not true, is it? http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqlandlord.htm#faq9

That applies to the property's gas related items, which are the LL's responsibility under S11 LL&T Act 1985.

It does not apply to the supply to the house, which is owned by TRANSCO or whatever they are called now and which is contracted to the account holder.

Put simply, the LL has to provide a system of heating and hot water which works. The T has to supply the fuel for that system. Your system works - so now you need to negotiate the continued supply of fuel.

Werdnal

jim.nastics wrote: »

Not true, is it? http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqlandlord.htm#faq9

I may be wrong, but I think that applies to heating (lack of adequate heating can be a health hazard and have medical complications). Hence gas company are doing the work now when majority of customer would not need heating.

OP is concerned about their hot water boiler.

jim.nastics

Werdnal wrote: »

I may be wrong, but I think that applies to heating (lack of adequate heating can be a health hazard and have medical complications). Hence gas company are doing the work now when majority of customer would not need heating.

OP is concerned about their hot water boiler.

What do you think powers our heating?

redlady_1

In the time you have been on here, you could have written and printed off a note to post through everyones door.

I am curious though, what would you like your landlord to do about this exactly?

Eton_Rifle

In the short term, the most your landlord would be obliged to do is to lend you a kettle and an electric heater or two.

Ulfar

LL wouldn't be obliged to do anything, you are the one restricting access. No court will find the landlord negligible in this instance as reasonable behaviour would be for you to arrange for someone to be in to allow access.

Either take the day off or give keys to a neighbour/friend who can be there to let them in.

moromir

Get active -

1. Find out from the Landlord who the managing agents are (they may have contact details for the owner of each flat (who may not be the same as the actual occupier if the flat is let). They won't be able to give you the contact details but its ready for step 2.

2. Write a letter to each flat - explain you have received this letter from Transco (or whatever they're called) and it would be in everyones inerests to be in, explain the consequences of someone being out. If they can't be in, what are their alternative plans? Will a friend/relative house sit for the day? If you will be in suggest that you are happy to hold a key for them that day if they are happy with this as well. Leave your phone numbers and email (incase they work unsociable hours and don't want to disturb you) for replies.

3. Wait several days for replies. Contact Management Company and let them know who hasn't replied. Ask that they contact the owners of the unresponsive flats.

4. Check up on Management Company and see if these owners have got their tenants to respond.