Rented Flat with Broken Heating

Bluediamond

Hi Everyone
Please can you help?
My Son has been in his new flat since October 2011 and for the last month to 6 weeks the heating has remained broken
landlord not helping and wont get on and get it fixed
Does he have to pay full rent when they are not supplying him with heating?? Seems unfair when they are not rushing to get the system sorted
Any advice please?
:mad:

MissMotivation

Payment of rent and repairs are two completely seperate things, you can't just stop paying rent because something needs fixing.

What has the Landlord done to try and get the heating fixed so far. Who has your Son been talking to? Has anything been put in writing.

There is a process to follow if you want to withhold rent to get the heating fixed, you can't just stop paying.

BitterAndTwisted

As MissMotication has said the rent being due and the heating not being repaired are two completely separate issues. The best way to be given notice is to stop paying the rent without further notice.

If your son has not put his observations in writing he should do so immediately IN WRITING. He should mention in the letter that this subject has been discussed informally but he is now asking for an undertaking that the issue is addressed now as a matter of urgency. He should give the landlord (say) seven days to get in contact about what arrangements for repairs have been made.

There are very strict procedures which must be adhered to to the letter in order to have the repairs done oneself and deduct the cost from the rent. He should see the Shelter site for guidance. Another option is the Local Authority's Private Rentals section or Environmental Health if the landlord will not carry out repairs. They can enforce them to be carried out.

G_M

Write. A letter. To the landlord (with a copy to agent if relevant) at the address for the serving of notices on the tenancy agreemnt.

Recap the history. How long. When first reported, How. To who. What action has/hasn't happened.

I would request a response with plan of action within 3 working days max. Not to fix, but to make arrangements and inform tenant.

Also ask for an alternative heating source within 3 working days (eg electric fires etc).

If this more formal approach also fails, then Environmental Health and/or Private Tenancy Officer at the council.

Or folllow Shelter guide on arranging repairs and deducting from rent, but
a) you must follow the process and
b) heating can be expensive so it may mean forking out a lot

rentergirl

Calmly writer a polite letter to the landlord, stating that you appreciate they are busy, and provide three reasonable quotes for repairs. Then ask if it's okay to go ahead. Contact your councils Tenancy relations Officer. Ins hort - don't withhold the rent, and make your request formal and written ie recorded delivery.

Yorkie1

Do not use recorded delivery. It can be refused or not collected. Get a certificate of posting instead.