Can the tenant see the gas certificate - boiler not working

kingfisherblue

A friend has just moved into a rented house (11th January). The boiler doesn't appear to be working properly - it makes a banging noise and the red warning lights keep coming on. The pressure keeps reaching the red shaded area, showing that it is too high.

The letting agent tells her that the boiler was checked and mended twice in the week or so before she moved in. An engineer has also been out twice more since she moved in. The letting agent has told her over the phone today that she cannot use the boiler as it is making a banging noise, and that she has to wait in tomorrow, in case they can get someone down to see it. Although it has been cold outside, we haven't had it really bad like some areas. Tonight it is predicted to be -7 though, and she has no heating or hot water.

She has asked for a copy of the gas certificate, but has been told that only the letting agent and owner can have one. She has been refused sight of the current certificate and although she has been told it is current, she does not know what date the certificate was issued, or when it is due for renewal.

She has also spent £120 in gas (via a key meter) in the fortnight since she moved in. The landlord, via the letting agent, has agreed that she can have the meter changed so that she pays her bills by direct debit, although British Gas cannot give her an appointment until March. The landlord has also agreed to allow her to apply for a grant for insulation, as there is none at the moment. The lady is disabled and was retired from work on grounds of ill health a few years ago. She is not receiving any means tested benefits, but is living on savings from the sale of the marital home (sold when divorced).

So, firstly, can she see the current gas certificate? Should she have a copy?

Also, the amount spent on gas is extortionate, especially as we have had very little bad weather on Merseyside. Can the meter be checked to see if it is faulty? Is it the landlord, letting agent, or tenant who requests this?

The lease is six months to start with, to be extended if everything is satisfactory at the end of that time.

Any help appreciated.

becominganobsessivesaver

A tenant should be provided with a copy of the gas safety certificate. This won't have necessarily checked that eveything is working in the boliler, but that it is safe. I would suggest that they adk for this or say they will contact the HSE, they should also invest in a carbon monoxide detector

G_M

By law, a landlord must give the tenant a copy of the gas certificate.

See HSE here:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqtenant.htm

kingfisherblue

Thank you both. I was fairly certain she was entitled to a copy of the certificate, but as a home owner and never having rented, I wasn't completely certain.

She has a carbon monoxide detector. I noticed it because it is the same one as mine. She has it sitting on top of the boiler.

Thank you for the link as well - I will print it out for her and will ring her with the information tonight. I'll drop off the print out tomorrow.

Thank you both for taking the time to help - much appreciated.

00ec25

kingfisherblue wrote: »

She has a carbon monoxide detector. I noticed it because it is the same one as mine. She has it sitting on top of the boiler.

it would give an earlier warning of problems if the detector was not on top but was instead somewhere else

dimbo61

Carbon monoxide is lighter than AIR
The alarm should not be on top of the boiler
Please read the instructions that come with the Alarm and site the alarm in the right place.
We needed to put it one metre away from the boiler on the wall but 10cm from the ceiling ( please check for your alarm)
Your friend needs to put in writing a letter to the agent and landlord asking for a copy of the current gas safety certificate. She also wants to ask for a time frame for the boiler to be repaired and what the landlord is going to do about the current lack of heating and hot water.
HE/she needs to hire oil filled radiators or electric heaters.
They also need to pay for the increase in the electric costs.
The Landlord/agent can not rent out the property without a Gas Safe Certificate.
I would also ask for a copy of the electrical safety inspection certificate.
Send 2 copies of the letter from 2 different post offices with proof of posting and keep a copy

G_M

dimbo61 wrote: »

Carbon monoxide is lighter than AIR

ooec25:

carbon monoxide is heavier than air, it would therefore give an earlier warning of problems if the detector was not on top but was instead ...

Which advice:

• Place the alarm in a central location, like a hallway or landing - not in a cupboard or close to an outside door.
• Fix the alarm to a wall at head height, or place it on a table or bookshelf.
• Place the alarm at least a metre away from boilers, fires, cookers or heaters, but ideally in the same room as the appliance - though not directly above a source of heat or steam.
• Test your alarm regularly using the test button and replace batteries annually or when the low battery signal sounds.

00ec25

G_M wrote: »

ooec25:

]

chemistry was never my strong point but hey ho at least I was right about not on top of the boiler! Suitable amendment to original gibberish now made

G_M

00ec25 wrote: »

chemistry was never my strong point but hey ho at least I was right about not on top of the boiler! Suitable amendment to original gibberish now made

As for me I still don't know if it's heavier or lighter - why I just pasted in the Which recomendations!

TopQuark

Perhaps 00ec25, you were confusing CO2 and CO. CO2 is heavier than air (density = 1.98 kg/m3), whereas CO is lighter at 1.15 kg/m3. Air is 1.23 kg/m3.

This is for dry air at atmospheric pressure, so unless the OP's friend lives on top of a very high mountain the advice given is sound!

poppysarah

No EPC shown before signing the tenancy?