quick question heating problems

barahs

just a quickie


how long is reasonable to wait to have service engineers called out by landlord?
the heating went off on saturday afternoon and i informed my LL at 8,15 am this morning (email) and followed that up with a phone call at 11am.
Am i being impatient in expecting an engineer out today?

thanks

sarah

Better_Days

I think you will be lucky if an engineer comes out today.

It partly depends on how your LL manages the property. He may have a service agreement with the likes of British Gas who will come out within a specified time 365 days a year. Or he may just get out the yellow pages and try his luck. Or he may do nothing and hope the problem will go away on its own. It is getting to the busier time of year for heating engineers too.

Is your heating gas, electric or oil? Do you have an alternative form of heating?

What did he say when you spoke to him at 11am?

I had no heat in this rented property on and off for over a month in the early spring when there was snow on the ground. No fun, so I sympathise. Snuggling up in bed with an electric blanket (if you have one) can be a cost effective way to keep warm as fan heaters etc are expensive to run.

barahs

hi thanks for your reply./

The LL has several properties and his own property maintenance business and he has so far been slow to do any repairs. He has known for several months that there was a problem with the boiler/heating.

The house isnt too cold so far but am expecting it to drop soon. I do have a gas fire in the sitting room so that is one room i can keep warm. And being relatively frugal i'm used to using blankets etc to keep warm.

He did say he was going to ring his plumber straightaway at 11 and get him to ring me at work. He has my work and mobile numbers on file.

but no call as yet, i'm tempted to call him again tomorrow and advise him that i would like a plumber before midday wednesday.

is that reasonable or is that too harsh?

Better_Days

Would definately call your LL tomorrow. In fact I probably would have called late afternoon if I hadn't heard from the plumber.

Not sure if at this stage it is a good idea trying to impose timescales. See what your LL proposes first. You could ask for his plumbers number so you can contact him direct.

Good you have a gas fire. If you leave the doors open, you can get warmth round most of the house. Do you have an immersion for your water?

moromir

Why did you wait until Monday morning to email the LL to report the problem?

On that basis I think you need to treat this as if the heating went off at 8am this morning as he couldn't do anything about something he knew nothing about....

On that basis I'd suggest a couple of days to have someone out would be reasonable in the current weather conditions but I'd expect to be notified of when they were attending - I would have probably followed this up today as you were told to expect a call - just to make sure the landlord hadn't given the wrong numbre to the plumber more than anything.

Mokka

In social housing loss of heating in winter counts as emergency repair. As social landlords are usually really bad with maintaining properties, the only reason I imagine they do these repairs promptly is that they have to, by law. Call your local authority's housing advice and/or Environmental Health.
If that fails try Shelter or CAB.
Under Tenant and Landlord Act your LL is responsible for repairing your heater and boiler, or he can get sued.

barahs

moromir wrote: »

Why did you wait until Monday morning to email the LL to report the problem?

because i have been told that the landlord will nor react to stuff over a weekend, the office is in effect closed.

barahs

Better_Days wrote: »

Would definately call your LL tomorrow. In fact I probably would have called late afternoon if I hadn't heard from the plumber. i dont like to be seen to be pestering

Not sure if at this stage it is a good idea trying to impose timescales. See what your LL proposes first. You could ask for his plumbers number so you can contact him direct. good idea

Good you have a gas fire. If you leave the doors open, you can get warmth round most of the house. Do you have an immersion for your water?

there is still hot water, that part of the combi is working....

G_M

You are being impatient. His engineer may be busy fixing other people's boilers!

As a precaution, put a letter in the post to the LL formally reporting the breakdown and referring to your email/phone call, but otherwise - wait & see.

You'll probobly get an engineer call/visit today/tomorrow.

charliebenjie

Mine packed up on saturday. had it fixed today so i am greatful my landlord was on the ball with it

barahs

G_M wrote: »

You are being impatient. His engineer may be busy fixing other people's boilers!

As a precaution, put a letter in the post to the LL formally reporting the breakdown and referring to your email/phone call, but otherwise - wait & see.

You'll probobly get an engineer call/visit today/tomorrow.

i rang him this morning to be told his "plumber" is also a long distance lorry driver and is in germany. LL asked if i could arrange someone to come out and inspect it seeing as i am in the building trade. I have a plumber attending at 4 pm today through one of my contacts.
pleased am getting it resolved but annoyed he wasnt straight with me to begin with, And i shall be deducting the plumbers costs from my rent.
This was agreed with LL. Could have told me this yesterday instead of appearing to think the problem would go away.