No CH/HW for Over 3 Weeks!

EKEA

I rent in England.
I've had no hot water or central heating for over 3 weeks now.
Obviously the cold weather is making our house have an average temperature of just 10 degrees!
I have a single electric heater but this is too expensive to run really.
The LL has been very slow to respond or come and fix the boiler. Is there anything I can say to hurry them up?
I have read it isn't illegal or breaking any terms

anselld

LL is obliged to repair in a "reasonable" time.
Contact Environmental Health at the local Council who have the enforcement powers to make sure this happens.

G_M

As you have given so little information it is difficult to comment!

* Have you reported the problem?
* when?
* How?
* To whom?
* have you chased up?
* has there been any reponse?
* has any engineer been out (ie is now waiting forparts etc)?
* when?
* have you beentold anything?
* what?

GwylimT

Being exposed to those temperatures for long periods of times as you are does put you at risk of hypothermia, be careful.

When did you report the problem and how, was it a phone call or did you inform the landlord in writing. If you reported the problem straight away I would I contact environmental health and inform the landlord that you have done this.

Turnbull2000

OP, please be aware that by involving Environmental Health, your landlord may (or is even likely to) serve a retaliatory eviction.

tbs624

As others have mentioned, you should always ensure that such repair/maintenance issues are notified *in writing* to the LL, with copy kept by you (you may of course have already done this). Have you made any further attempts to pursue the matter with the LL? If done by phone initially always follow up with confirmatory letter/email, again with a copy kept by you.

LL has a legal obligation to keep the means of hot water/space heating in good working order: if there is difficulty getting repairs effected within a "reasonable" time then LL should provide alternative means of heating etc. Three weeks with little or no action by your LL is not acceptable.

Have a look at the Shelter website for guidance on getting repairs done and, as suggested above, contact the local Council - either the Private Sector Tenancy Relations Officer or the EHO.

Ultimately, Council officers can arrange for the property to be inspected under the HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) - lack of heating/hot water fall under the list of 29 housing "hazards".

Unfortunately, some LLs may( as Turnbull suggests) serve retaliatory notice at the earliest legally possible point on any T who involves council officers etc so its best if you can sort things amicably. With some recalcitrant LLs that option isn't always possible however.

There is no excuse for a LL to leave a T without adequate means of heating/obtaining hot water - all LLs should have appropriate arrangements in place for meeting their legal obligations. Plumbers and service agreements are tax deductable costs and temporary heaters for both space and water can be hired by the day or week.

EKEA

Here is some more information:

The problem was reported about 3/4 weeks ago to the LL.
We usually contact via text (perhaps this isn't the best option but it is certainly the quickest).
We have chased up and a british gas engineer came to look at the boiler. He did get back to the LL who said they would get their local handyman to replace it (I assume he is corgi registered but not checked).
I know there was a delay in BG getting back to the LL.
The LL did offer some electric panel things but I turned him down.

We have a fairly good relationship with the LL so don't want to really threaten with any action from the council but at the same time it's really cold in the house (great for my pc!).
I'm just glad I don't have children otherwise this would have been a

pmlindyloo

EKEA wrote: »

Here is some more information:

The problem was reported about 3/4 weeks ago to the LL.
We usually contact via text (perhaps this isn't the best option but it is certainly the quickest).
We have chased up and a british gas engineer came to look at the boiler. He did get back to the LL who said they would get their local handyman to replace it (I assume he is corgi registered but not checked).
I know there was a delay in BG getting back to the LL.
The LL did offer some electric panel things but I turned him down.

We have a fairly good relationship with the LL so don't want to really threaten with any action from the council but at the same time it's really cold in the house (great for my pc!).
I'm just glad I don't have children otherwise this would have been a

I don't want to appear rude but what is it exactly do you want us to advise? Non of us have a magic wand to make the repairs happen faster.

Your LL has got an engineer in. The repairs seem to be going ahead. Your LL offered you some extra heating.

The LL has done everything they are required to do. It is just a case of waiting for the workmen to get their act together. You need to keep on their case,

You have been advised to contact the council if this goes on too long but you don't want to do that.

What do you want to happen? :cool: What do you want to know? Or are you just having a rant!

G_M

G_M wrote: »

As you have given so little information it is difficult to comment!

* Have you reported the problem? Yes
* when? vague answer "3-4 weeks ago" !!
* How? Text. Big mistake. Write now.
* To whom? LL. But not to designated address
* have you chased up? vague answer : when? How?
* has there been any reponse? Yes. LL has responded correctly.
* has any engineer been out (ie is now waiting forparts etc)?
* when? Yes. LL has called out BG. Very good. What else do you expect?
* have you beentold anything? Yes. LL has said he will replace boiler. Very good. What else do you expect?
* what?

Landlord is doing what is expected of him.
* He's sent in an expert.
* He's listened to the expert.
* He's arranging further work to be done.
* He's offered alternative heat source(which you've rejected.

You on the other hand failed to report properly, despite which LL responded.

You are worrying about children which you don't have.

You are worrying about cold despite having been offered a solution.

You are contemplating a complaint to the council but don't want to complain.

Just exactly what is your problem?

Thrugelmir

EKEA wrote: »

The LL did offer some electric panel things but I turned him down.

Why did you decline the offer?

EKEA

Sorry, it's another thread where I can't fully explain just in case but the replies have been helpful.

It was more of a "what can i do" thread.

Turned down the electric panel heaters as well have you had them? They are rubbish and give off a tiny bit of heat around the heater and that's it. Expecting a tenant to use electric heaters for 3/4 weeks when the house comes with CH isn't a solution. Neither is leaving them with no running hot water.

I commented about family but this extends to friends who want to visit.

British Gas didn't come to the house as the LL cancelled them. The gas expert that came round came over a few days after reporting. They confirmed the boiler was fully busted. There was a delay between them and the LL.
It then took the LL another week to get back to us saying the handyman will fit the new boiler. A week later the handyman arrives with a new boiler but it's the wrong type - a combi boiler but we have an aring cupboard with a tank upstairs.
Nearly a week later they haven't got back to us as yet to say when a new one will be fitted.

3 weeks isn't exactly a reasonable amount of time surely?

The last post was just an update as is this one.
Not really looking for a response as such.