Possible?! Boiler problem, how should I handle this?

Swinstie73

Hi folks,

First post here as a VERY reluctant landlord so please be kind .

Put house on the market last June, no viewers before we were moving in August, but a week before we moved we had a viewing but it was to rent not buy (reluctantly had to put on market for rent as well to cover myself). Anyway young couple, signed six month lease, said might like to buy later on but after signing a new six month lease mid Feb they gave notice as they had bought a repo.

Not had major probs with them, nor them with me. Have had a few phone calls i.e. slates missing from roof due to a storm - got this fixed within 2 days, boiler pressure dropped - talked them through how to re-pressure etc. Anyway they are moving out this Sunday but have just had a call late tonight to say that they had no hot water - I really didn't need to hear this so late in the evening, well around 8pm so not too late.

They said the heating was working and the water was hot downstairs but the bath water wasn't heating up - what the heck am I supposed to do with this? I called the gas engineer who fitted the boiler and services it and he said as it's a combi and the heating is working, he doesn't know why they have no hot water. He is also very busy just now and can't come out til Monday at the earliest. He is a trusted engineer so I don't doubt him.

The tenants have ultimately been great but have had a few minor (to me) probs, I think they get worked up easily over small fixable problems. My reason for asking how to handle this, is that they move out on Sunday BUT there is also a viewer (to buy) going tomorrow night and I'm worried they will say 'eh, by the way the boiler is wonky, no hot water'. I have said that I will get it looked at and apologised for the inconvenience but I'm really not sure what else I can do. Any advise on how to handle this, both professionally and well realistically at this point in time.

P.S. They have been turning valves on the boiler and I'm worried something is going to happen! If there is a boiler problem I'm obviously expecting to cover any costs myself.

dimbo61

The pressure has dropped again I THINK
But you did a gas safety check and have the GSC ( certificate) which you gave a copy to the tenant.
You are getting a gas engineer out on Monday to sort the problem and you could ask him to do a service and another GSC to show the BUYER!
Paperwork is everything

Slinky

Personally I'd reschedule the viewing for after the tenants leaving. Potential for more grief than it's worth.

girl_withno_name

Is there an electric shower at the property?

junglejim2

Simple just postpone the viewing

rentergirl

Yes: postpone viewing. Explain to tenants that you are doing all you can. If they have only ever rented, then contractors being busy won't occur to them. And to be fair, no hot water is a nightmare, and they are paying rent for it.

Swinstie73

Thanks for the replies guys.

Yes, there is an electric shower which is working, there is a gas safety certificate (done last August) which the tenant has a copy of, so all paperwork is covered.

I have been wondering about delaying the viewing til the boiler has been checked, however I contacted the EA to let her know what had happened and asked whether I should delay. She's advised to ask the tenants to not mention the hot water problem and to assure them that I will get it checked out and serviced. The reason being, is that the viewer has already instructed his solicitor that he will be making an offer once he has viewed!

Not as daft as it sounds as he currently stays across the road with his parents so he knows the basics of the house and more importantly the area, so my fingers, toes and everything else is crossed for a sale.

Thanks for all your advise and I'm hoping the problem is only a small one.

Swinstie73

Hi rentergirl, sorry just seen your reply. I am tempted to postpone but as per post, it's looking quite positive with the viewer, trying not to get my hopes us too much though.

Will contact the tenants today and speak to them regarding the water situ, I realise it must be a nightmare with no hot water and I don't think they do realise how long some things take. I just hope they don't still phone me if they have a problem in their own house, LOL.