Boiler Broken in Rented Accommodation - earliest replacement date in mid-Sept!

LP87

Hi there,

I have searched the forum for this sort of thing and came up with a similar result although a much shorter time-frame, so I hope no one minds me asking a similar question to another poster.

My boiler died on Monday and I live in a rented flat. My boiler heats my hot water and my radiators. Fortunately for me, the shower is electric, so I can at least have a wash but I am unable to do my dishes or wash my hands in hot water after visiting the loo etc.

I had to take an unpaid morning off work on Friday to get the boiler "fixed". This resulted in the guy who had recommended to my landlord 8 months ago that I should have a new boiler, telling me that it could be one of three things and disappearing off to the suppliers, where he phoned the letting agents (who in turn phoned the landlady) to inform them of the situation. When he returned to my flat he told me that the landlady had said she wanted no money to be spent on repairing the boiler and that it was to be replaced. We discussed times and dates that he was available (I am unable to get weekdays off work but can get weekends off) and had to settle for the 8th Sept, which wasn't ideal but was doable. An hour later, he phoned me to say he was unable to do this date. I have discussed with my boss a date that I can take off but as this period is the busiest period at work of the year, I will be working 14 hour days for about 2 weeks and won't be able to get time off granted.

I am living in an area where I know no one (aside from the people I work with, who will also be working flat out!). The boiler-man did tell me that the landlady had offered to be in for the boiler to be installed but I feel very uneasy about having someone around all of my belongings without me being here. I don't mind her being in my flat as obviously it's her flat but I've never met her before and have quite a lot of expensive kit here for my professional work (not to mention my personal belongings).

It's now looking as though I won't be able to have a new boiler until the 15th Sept or so - am I entitled to make the letting agents use a different plumber who is available sooner? Or do I just have to put up and shut up with no hot water for a month.

Any advice would be great, this is the first place I've lived in with a proper boiler (only had gas fires before!) so it's all new to me!

Thank you,

LP87.

seven-day-weekend

I don't actually think 15th September is too bad a timescale for a properly registered and accredited person to do the work, especially as it is you that is not available and doesn't want anyone else to be there instead of you.

Meanwhile, boil a kettle to wash your dishes and wash your hands under the shower.

tom9980

I would say no your not entitled. The LL has seemingly done everything required of them getting a plumber to diagnose the fault that happened on monday by the friday is pretty good.

The LL has now decided that a replacement is the most economic option and is even offering to be in while the work is being done because you cannot. Getting a plumber to schedule in a complete boiler replacement in 3 weeks is not bad at all IMO as a home owner i waited longer than that earlier this year to have my boiler replaced. You have means to wash with the electric shower and can always boil a kettle for dishes if needs be so i dont see why hot water is that crucially important to you? the LL and agent is doing their best and are definitely up to scratch compared to some of the stories you read about on here.

Werdnal

I too agree that the LL has acted promptly and arranged a replacement is quick as conveniently possible to all concerned. They also offered to be there for an earlier appointment and you did not feel able to agree to this, so unfortunately you will have to wait.

The LL could have authorised a repair, but a full replacement will give you peace of mind that a temporary bodge might not. If the repair went wrong again, you could have been faced with repeated repair visits, requiring more time off work. Look at it as short-term pain for long-term gain and appreciate your LL for arranging a full replacement so promptly. Read some of the nightmare stories here about cheapskate LLs who do not attend to repairs and see how lucky you are!

Its not like its -5 outside with a foot of snow on the ground, like it might be if the boiler repair let you down in the middle of December. Atleast you can rest assured that this winter you will be warm and cosy whatever the british climate throws at you, and it might even bring down your overall utility bills, with a shiny new efficient boiler installed.

G_M

If this was mid-winter, you might have a case.

Personally, in summer, when my boiler is off (no need for central heating) I use a kettle for dish-washing anyway. Far cheaper than firing up a boiler just for dishes!

And washing your hands after going to the loo. Maybe I'm unhygenic, but provided you use soap I don't see what's wrong with cold water on your hands!

LL is organising a brand new boiler as fast as he can. Be grateful you are not fighting a battle with a LL who refuses to fork out for this expense!

LP87

Thanks for your replies guys, the main thing I was wondering was whether I could request that they use a different plumber that's all like I said, plus it's the first time I've lived in a house with a boiler and this far away (previously my Dad has done any repairs on heating in other places I've lived but getting him to make a 500 mile round trip would be a bit harsh!) and I was only really after a reassurance that this was an acceptable waiting time to get a new one (I know there are various regulations about heating and hot water in rented accommodation etc.).
I must say that the reponse of the landlady to this was much more efficient than the 6 months it took my concrete window sill to get repaired after it fell from the first floor (narrowly missing my car and the 80 year old lady downstairs) so I should be thankful!
Thanks again.

dimbo61

I read on which website this week that at least 2 boiler breakdown service companies do not regard a boiler breakdown between may and september as an emergency !!
If you have a new combi boiler fitted they must be over 90% efficient and it will reduce your gas bill.
A good landlord has the sense to install an electric shower as well as gas central heating

dimbo61

make sure you get a copy of the gas safety certificate and boiler installation instructions ( user manual )

LP87

Hey dimbo, cheers for that info! I've had my dear ol' Mum staying with me this week and she's been desperate for a bath and she's been cold (as well as frustrated by the dish / sink situation haha!) but once she's gone home I'll be less put out by the lack of boiler I think.

I hope this new one has the same timer and control pad as the last one because it's taken me nearly 2 years to use it (the angle it's at means you can't read the screen so have to programme it instinctively!).

The guy who is fitting it is the one who recommended a new one some months ago when I had my last Gas Safety Check so he will definitely provide me with all the appropriate documentation. He seems like a pretty decent chap so that shouldn't be a problem.

Cheers!

G_M

There is no need for a gas safety certificate where a new boiler is fitted and a GasSafe engineer has issues a Commissioning Certificate of Compliance.

Gas certificate required next year.

phoebe1989seb

I agree with what other posters have said that whilst it is admittedly an inconvenience to have no hot water, it's not for too long and although the weather isn't as hot as we'd like it to be, at least it's not the depths of winter!

I can sympathise though, as we've been without a boiler ourselves for almost five months whilst we've been building an extension (had to have the boiler taken out and it will be reinstalled in the new building) and we've managed reasonably well. We don't even have an electric shower so have been boiling kettles and saucepans to wash with (and wash up etc) and have even taken umpteen saucepans upstairs to fill the bath when we've become too smelly to go on :rotfl:

Hopefully for us the end is in sight and ours will be going back in within the next couple of weeks!