Who is responsible?

outofmoney

Bit of a bizarre one but we have an ants nest behind our fire, where the back boiler is. We can't get to it to and the annual check is long overdue (by about a year I think!)

If someone came to service the boiler, we could possibly tackle the nest at the same time.

Since no one has come, and not likely to (We are waiting on a number of jobs) can we ask the LL to sort the ant problem?

Werdnal

You can buy ant bait as a gel, which you dot around and they pick it up and carry back to the nest (its sweet and they think its food). Consequently it kills the whole colony. When we have had ants in the past, I made "bait boxes" - cut a few holes in the side of empty butter-tubs, put the bait gel in them and put the lid back on. Drop them near the runs the ants use regularly so ants can get inside the tubs. You can see how much they have taken a top up regularly and it prevents any mess.

Just be careful if you have kids and tell them not to touch it, and keep it away from pets, but it works quite well and you do not have to actually access the nest itself - the ants do the work for you.

When you say you don't expect the boiler to be serviced any time soon - is it gas? Is your annual safety check due? If so, write to the LL to remind of their obligations to ensure this is done. If you have other outstanding repair issues, add them to the same letter. Always request any repairs in writing, so you have a paper trail of proof and LL cannot say he didn't get the text, email or phone message.

theartfullodger

See advice from the experts here...
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/home_safety/pests_and_vermin

G_M

I've used that gel too. Very effective.

If the boiler is gas, GET IT INSPECTED (and ideally serviced).

HSE (Gas Safety Certificate rules)

If it is oil, you can only ask, not demand.

outofmoney

Thanks for replies. I forgot to say we already have two bait things down but the flying ants don't seem to go in them.

The boiler is gas, and yes, we know it should be done annually. We do mention it every now and then to LL (along with other jobs) He says he has asked his friend to come and do it and will chase him up....then we hear nothing.

Last time, his friend came but wasn't qualified to do it so said his boss would come back. He did, but it was a year later!

It's not ideal, but we don't want to come across as nagging tenants. We are not in the best situation to be looking for new rental properties and currently our rent is low average (although we still have to add to HB) so we aren't in a position to keep pushing these things.

G_M

outofmoney wrote: »

The boiler is gas, and yes, we know it should be done annually. We do mention it every now and then to LL (along with other jobs) He says he has asked his friend to come and do it and will chase him up....then we hear nothing.

....we don't want to come across as nagging tenants. .

1) deal with this. Stop "mentioning" it, and put it in writing. A formal letter.

2) Do you have a CO detector (a proper electronic one with audible alarm)? If not, buy one.

You are gambling with your life rather than be seen as 'nagging'. Not worth it.

outofmoney

I know you are right and would be telling a friend the same as you are saying.

But we also don't want to end up homeless. I'm not suggesting our LL would kick us out but if he puts the rent up then we have no way of finding the extra money. All the time we have no contact and he is not paying out he is unlikely to think about upping it.

We do have a CO detector, though not like you suggest. We don't use the fire itself, just the boiler behind. In our last property the LL had got his brother in law (not certified) to install the boiler and did such a bodge job that we called the gas board who condemned it. It was the constant ill feeling and cough that made us worry.

G_M

outofmoney wrote: »

We do have a CO detector, though not like you suggest. We don't use the fire itself, just the boiler behind. In our last property the LL had got his brother in law (not certified) to install the boiler and did such a bodge job that we called the gas board who condemned it. It was the constant ill feeling and cough that made us worry.

The ill feeling and cough is not the problem.

CO is invisible. It has no smell. It does not make you cough.

You simply don't wake up. No warning.

Those stick-on tabs that show CO are actually more dangerous than useful as they give you a false sense of security. How often do you actually look at them?

And anyway, by they time they have reacted and changed colour, you are probobly dead.

Get a proper CO detector/alarm.

Frankly I don't understand you. You asked if the LL was responsible and

can we ask the LL to sort the ant problem?

yet the ant problem is insignificant compared to the gas safety which you are reluctant to address because

All the time we have no contact and he is not paying out he is unlikely to think about upping it.(the rent)

So why risk contacting the LL about the ants......?

outofmoney

We would actually mention both. But didn't want to ask him to sort the ants if he is not actually responsible.

I know you probably find our situation crazy. But if one wrong move could end up with us on the streets then we have to tread carefully.

When you own your home or have a decent income to cover rent you can usually take a few more chances. We were very lucky to get this place. No credit check, no reference, no guarantor and no increase in rent. Though this may have been as we had been open about our circumstances, but the chances of being that lucky again??

I will however be getting a proper CO detector.

Annisele

outofmoney wrote: »

I know you probably find our situation crazy. But if one wrong move could end up with us on the streets then we have to tread carefully.

If you won't make the LL do an inspection, *please* pay for an inspection yourselves. That way, if everything is safe your LL never has to know. If it isn't safe, and your LL won't do anything about it, then this isn't a home you want to hang on to. IIRC an inspection costs £50 or so - which I appreciate may be a lot if you're on HB, but it's cheap compared to you being dead.

If you can't afford to get the inspection yourself, then you'll have to *write* (on paper) to the LL and ask him for one. Yes, you risk getting chucked out, but you'll be alive and chucked out.

(NB I wouldn't normally suggest a T arrange their own inspection - I know it's LL's responsibility - but if LL isn't doing anything, and T won't push, then I think a T-paid for inspection is better than none at all).

poppysarah

outofmoney wrote: »

But we also don't want to end up homeless.

Once you're dead from monoxide poisoning you'll have a permanent home.