Open Fire Advised is Dangerous

Kayalana99

Ignore what I just edited :-)

Considering what you just said I would get a 2nd opinion but be in touch with your LL about what he has said. You never know he might be decent about it.

Southend1

layfs wrote: »

It is leaking carbon monoxide and is missing the back iron plate so the fire is drawing back into the chimney where there is an old water heater that hasn't been properly decommissioned.

The is a large void behind the fire and had a large hole at the back of the fireplace and when lit rather than drawing up it was drawing back. It didn't produce a huge amount of heat so my original thought was to reintroduce an iron backplate and fill the void behind with fire cement to cause the fire to draw upwards.

Hope I managed to explain this coherently.

Do get it checked out by someone in the know. Old back boiler could potentially explode if not removed.

POPPYOSCAR

DRP wrote: »

yet you detected no CO all winter? that's strange isn;t it?

Who inspected it for you?



This is why I asked who inspected the fire. IS it someone with an interest in telling the OP that there are problems?

Yes, it is a very pertinent question.

Someone I know had problems with their heating and a plumber told them they needed a new boiler. It turned out all the radiator valves had been turned off. Turned them all back on and heating was fine!!

layfs

Southend1 wrote: »

Do get it checked out by someone in the know. Old back boiler could potentially explode if not removed.

Yes I will get several opinions. The information today was by a gas and fireplace specialist that I asked to come and do some repair work. He said he wouldn't touch it as he would be liable once he touched it and in his opinion it was a health hazard.

Really my question is around who's responsible for the repair?

layfs

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

How on earth will it cost £1000 to put right?

In fairness the repair was quoted at between £600-£700 but it would make sense to pay and extra couple hundred and get a wood burning stove as these are so much more efficient at heating and controlling the burn rate.

Southend1

layfs wrote: »

In fairness the repair was quoted at between £600-£700 but it would make sense to pay and extra couple hundred and get a wood burning stove as these are so much more efficient at heating and controlling the burn rate.

I wouldn't be buying the landlord a nice new stove if it was me!

thesaint

layfs wrote: »

Yes I will get several opinions. The information today was by a gas and fireplace specialist that I asked to come and do some repair work. He said he wouldn't touch it as he would be liable once he touched it and in his opinion it was a health hazard.

So, this "specialist" wouldn't touch it. What did he suggest to get it usable? Did he cap it off?

layfs wrote: »

Really my question is around who's responsible for the repair?

Possibly no one.

DRP

thesaint wrote: »

Possibly no one.

Yes.

If it costs money then it is more than possible your LL will just tell you not to use it.

layfs

thesaint wrote: »

So, this "specialist" wouldn't touch it. What did he suggest to get it usable? Did he cap it off?

The back boiler and redundant uncapped water pipes need to be removed, the slate hearth replaced and a backplate installed to help direct the heat out into the room.

Not sure what you mean by cap it off?


Possibly no one.[/QUOTE

POPPYOSCAR

"The landlord’s and tenant’s responsibilities

As a tenant you have the right to have your accommodation kept in a reasonable state of repair. You also have an obligation to look after the accommodation. The tenancy agreement may give details of both your landlord’s and your responsibilities in carrying out repairs and you should check this.

For more information about tenancy agreements, see Tenancy agreements.

The landlord’s main responsibilities

There are certain repairs which will almost always be your landlord’s responsibility, whether or not they are specifically mentioned in the tenancy agreement. These are:-

the structure and exterior of the premises (such as walls, floors and window frames) and the drains, gutters and external pipes. If the property is a house, the essential means to access to it, such as steps from the street, are also included in ‘structure and exterior’. Garden paths and steps are also included
water and gas pipes and electrical wiring (including, for example, taps and sockets)
basins, sinks, baths and toilets
fixed heaters (for example, gas fires) and water heaters but not gas or electric cookers (but see below).
In Scotland, most private landlords have to make sure their properties meet a certain standard, called the repairing standard – see under heading Repairs for private tenants in Scotland".



Above taken from the Citizens advice.

Reading this I would not expect that the Landlord is liable as in reality the fireplace is just that, it is not an actual heater.

If I were you I would speak to the Landlord and see what he has to say.He may agree to the works but if he is not keen you may be able to negotiate with him.