Letting agent - demanding repair charges for Boiler Fan

olly300

nelly wrote: »

This lot will never give you your deposite back when you leave!

I would deffinately NOT pay my last months rent if I was you

Nelly I'm shocked that you are publicly suggesting the OP should do something dishonest and unlawful.

EliteHeat

If I were you I would:-

1) Send them a recorded delivery letter stating that they have x days to effect repairs to the boiler. In the event that they do not, then you will arrange to have it done and recoup the cost from them

2) Withold the repair bill from your rent and send them a copy of the invoice

3) Let them take you to court to prove their ridiculous allegations that the boilers fan is your responsibility

This is all complete and utter nonsense in my opinion and you have my sympathy.

The fan does not give a toss - it starts up, slows down, stops in response to an electrical supply - it really doesn't care where it gets it from.

On the point about gas safety certificates, it is LA's responsibility to provide you with a copy. If you do not have this ask for one. If they cannot provide one report them to the HSE - they will take it very, very seriously indeed.

addictive_saver

Something to cheer up...

After having not-so-cheerful advices from Shelter and CAB....it seems a lawyer (or advisor??) CLS (Community Legal Services Direct) will be of great help..

I had a chat with him on Friday evening and he asked me to call on Monday and I did... He just spoke to my LA ...those *** people were saying.. it wasn't they who asked for £500 but it was LL who was asking for this... but I have a letter written on the letterhead of my LA and signed by representative of my LA, to whom I have been interacting (or arguing) for so long... how can they say that???????

The lawyer has literally threatened LA to fix the boiler (or come back with the repair date) within TWO DAYS... he (the lawyer) has also sent (not yet received) me some documentation to sign ...sort of authority from my side to act on my behalf...

He has assured me that he is going to come heavily on these **** if they don't fix up the things within next two days..

But still the fear remains...they have my damage deposit to retain...

olly300

addictive_saver wrote: »

But still the fear remains...they have my damage deposit to retain...

While you are at it get the lawyer to demand the landlord's actual name, address and telephone number as per the landlord and tenant act 1985 from the letting agent.

I bet if you then threaten to take the landlord to court at the end, as they cannot hide behind the letting agent you are more likely to get your deposit.

Guy_Montag

addictive_saver wrote: »

Something to cheer up...

After having not-so-cheerful advices from Shelter and CAB....it seems a lawyer (or advisor??) CLS (Community Legal Services Direct) will be of great help..

I had a chat with him on Friday evening and he asked me to call on Monday and I did... He just spoke to my LA ...those *** people were saying.. it wasn't they who asked for £500 but it was LL who was asking for this... but I have a letter written on the letterhead of my LA and signed by representative of my LA, to whom I have been interacting (or arguing) for so long... how can they say that???????

The lawyer has literally threatened LA to fix the boiler (or come back with the repair date) within TWO DAYS... he (the lawyer) has also sent (not yet received) me some documentation to sign ...sort of authority from my side to act on my behalf...

He has assured me that he is going to come heavily on these **** if they don't fix up the things within next two days..

But still the fear remains...they have my damage deposit to retain...

Good link - thanks for letting us know how you were proceeding. If they try to take your deposit, get back in touch with the same lawyer (if possible) & let them let rip.

Meatballs

If the CLS guy is coming down on them like a ton of bricks, and you keep the written correspondence it will help when it comes to your deposit being returned!

Have you tried posting on one of the utilities boards for a friendly local CORGI registered electrician or something to offer an experts opinion on why the isolator usage wouldn't actually damage the fan?

I assume other people would but they aint local. EliteHeat is right, fans are very simple devices and wouldn't really care.

addictive_saver

Thanks for cheering me up....

This is the statement from their first letter to me demanding £500..

.....As you have been using isolator switch to control the boiler it has caused damage to the inside appliance. Also the fan needs to be replaced. This switch should only be used by a professional plumber...

Isn't it weird??

It doesn't clarify whether usage of this switch has caused damage to the fan...isn't it??

Meatballs

My interpretation of the statement is:

The fan needs replacing. It has nothing to do with your usage of the isolator switch: Also the fan needs replacing.

Therefore replacing the fan shouldn't come out of your costs at all.

What is 'damage to the inside appliance?'. Where is there evidence that isolator switch should only be used by a professional? Have they provided a manual yet?

sooz

I can't believe that this is still going, and that they have still not fixed your boiler.

Hope that the solicitor gives them the kick up the ar*e that they obviously need.

However, I'd start looking for a new place as soon as possible.

You say you moved in in February - was your agreement for 6 months? In which case you can leave - without giving any notice - on the same day in August, and I certainly wouldn't bother paying the last month's rent. [and no, this isn's something I'd normally condone, but the LL and LA are really taking the p*ss]

hollydays

good luck..