Landlord/tenant electric bill

pmlindyloo

Please let's cut the OP a bit of slack here as he/she is a relatively newbie and under a lot of stress.

OP, reading your other post about your electricity bill I can understand that you do not want to be in the same situation again. However, the same advice applies. You may be in a position to ask for some compensation or not.

As regards help with your electricity bills have you managed to sort out your DD so that you can spread your payments over the year? Have you considered an electricity meter? Not sure if a meter is the best option for you (but just trying to help.)

Try not to worry too much. Things may not work out too badly. Try to minimise your use of electricity as much as possible - lots of layers, trips to family/friends (use their heating!) etc etc.

Biohazard

pmlindyloo wrote: »

As already said, you need to compare your situation living in a rented house with the same situation as if you owned it.

I totally disagree with this.

A tenant is a consumer paying for a service and should expect the central heating to be working. The LLs boiler wasn't up to scratch in the first place, but how it is fair that it is ok for the tenant to pay more than expected out of his own pocket for something the LL should have kept an eye on?

If the landlord is facing a nice, large bill for repairing the boiler do not expect them to be feeling particularly generous.

This isn't the tenants problem if the landlord has to pay out for a new boiler. But how on earth can a LL get away with not compensating for the lack of hot water?

If we were expecting less from a shop/service then we would complain and ask for a reduction/refund. Funny how this goes out the window with private renting.

G_M

A replacement boiler in a week!?? Doubtful. Especially at this time of year and current weather.

Report the problem officially, in writing, to the landlord, at the address for the serving of Notices on your tenancy agreement. Copy to the agent.

Ask (don't demand! at least not at this stage - stay friendly!), if an alternative source of hot water (emmersian heater? electric shower) can be provided to bridge th gap if repair/replacement is going to take more than a few days, in view of the weather.

Ask (don't demand) for a new boiler as recommended by the engineer rather than another temporary fix, but say that either way, you'd like to know asap
a) what will be done and
b) whn

Mention your increased electricity costs and ask (don't dmand) if there is 'anything you can do to help...'

If you need to get legal/demanding, do that later - start out being pleasant and reasonable. But by doing it in writing you are taking the first 'legal' step if needed.

pmlindyloo

Biohazard wrote: »

I totally disagree with this. Your perogative to disagree but I was referring to the fact that the boiler has broken and the time it may take to get it fixed.

A tenant is a consumer paying for a service and should expect the central heating to be working. The LLs boiler wasn't up to scratch in the first place, but how it is fair that it is ok for the tenant to pay more than expected out of his own pocket for something the LL should have kept an eye on? The OP has not mentioned that she/he reported to the LL that the boiler wasn't up to scratch before. This information seems to have come last week when the safety certificate was being issued.
I am not sure how a LL can 'keep an eye' on a boiler. They have to rely on the tenants to report any faults.



This isn't the tenants problem if the landlord has to pay out for a new boiler. But how on earth can a LL get away with not compensating for the lack of hot water? Agreed, it isn't the tenant's problem. We do not know whether the LL will compensate for the inconvenience and lack of hot water. You are assuming that he/she won't give any compensation.

If we were expecting less from a shop/service then we would complain and ask for a reduction/refund. Funny how this goes out the window with private renting.

There are some very knowledgeable people on here with lots of experiences both as tenants and landlords. In the end, if the LL doesn't offer/give any compensation then the OP could, in effect, kick up a fuss, take it to court etc etc. I am sure you will agree that this could be very stressful.

In the end the LL could also give the OP notice to quit. Again, a very stressful situation.

It is not a question of what is morally right or wrong but what is the reality of the situation.

Negotiation is the key to most things in life and going in with all guns blazing usually gets you very little in return.

relhuk1

er Thank you. I dare not say anything else!!:(