Boiler repairs as landlord - am I being unreasonable?

Pixie5740

It sounds like there's some lessons to be learned here as this is the OP's first time letting out a property. If the T thought she was moving in on a certain day and had everything arranged (handed in notice for current place, packed, arranged people to help her move) and that was delayed then perhaps the T/LL relationship got off to a bad start. I can totally understand the OP not wanting to let out a property that was unsafe but in hindsight this should have been sorted out before finding a T.

Maybe this is why the T is being a pain in the backside now, not just about the hot water but the complaints previously about broadband etc.

What kind of tenancy is this? Is it still in a fixed term? If so, and the T wants to agree an early surrender then I'd just let her go. I'd also get rid of the agency who don't seem to be doing much for their "fully managed" fee. If it's now a periodic tenancy then I'd continue to get the hot water issued sorted whilst issuing a Section 21 so I could start over with a new tenant and a new agency (even if I only used the LA to find a tenant).

katepower

So the hot water issue has hopefully been resolved - bg came today and fitted some replacement parts. They did say boiler was on the last legs and the next time it goes will probably be the last.

With regards to the t moving in, from her viewing the property to her moving in it took in between 2 - 3 weeks, which I don't think is unreasonable. The agreement was always 'as soon as possible' rather than a set date. The electrician could not repair the property until a certain date but t did not want to accept this.

T has reported shower issue to la as I advised her, which is being sorted. She is now complaining of flickering lights in the living to and the dining room smelling of smoke. I don't know how this is as I never smoked in the property nor smelt any smoke, and I had lived there since 2012. I have suggested it may the 2nd hand furniture she has in there as this is the only thing I can think of, however t doesn't seem to want to hear it.

dimbo61

How long is her tenancy 6/12 months and have you served a S21 yet?
She is not happy and may never be happy.
Look at cost of complete new boiler from local gas safe firm
Worcester/Bosch or Valliant

anselld

katepower wrote: »

however t doesn't seem to want to hear it.

Similarly, you don't seem to want to hear advice here.
Serve s21 or accept surrender offer.
Sack agent.

Cautious_Optimist

katepower wrote: »

So the hot water issue has hopefully been resolved - bg came today and fitted some replacement parts. They did say boiler was on the last legs and the next time it goes will probably be the last.

With regards to the t moving in, from her viewing the property to her moving in it took in between 2 - 3 weeks, which I don't think is unreasonable. The agreement was always 'as soon as possible' rather than a set date. The electrician could not repair the property until a certain date but t did not want to accept this.

T has reported shower issue to la as I advised her, which is being sorted. She is now complaining of flickering lights in the living to and the dining room smelling of smoke. I don't know how this is as I never smoked in the property nor smelt any smoke, and I had lived there since 2012. I have suggested it may the 2nd hand furniture she has in there as this is the only thing I can think of, however t doesn't seem to want to hear it.

What is this tenant's background?
Where did she last live?
It's very easy to see things from a certain perspective;
(eg "this is your responsibility as a tenant")
But although that may be the "normal" way things are, for this particular person, it may be completely new...

DaveTheMus

serve the tenant notice and kick her out...

Blackpool_Saver

Sounds like this house had been let go quite a bit and wasn't brought up to standard before the tenant moved in.
How long is it since the electrics were fully checked? given the boiler is so old I dread to think....flickering lights/old shower......smoky smell, sounds scary, get the electrics checked out

oldbaldman

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=141721

Not sure if you have decided to replace the boiler or what stage you are at with it, but the link may help you or someone else resolve the issue?

obm

missile

katepower wrote: »

Unfortunately I am 'fully managed'. After the tenant calling out a repair technician twice, once for 'reception issues' because she hadnt plugged the cable into the tv properly, then again a few days later when SHE pulled the curtain pole away from the wall and it needed fixing. I got billed for both of these; since then I have said that I will take care of maintenance issues myself. .

A new LL has been unlucky to get a very high maintenance tenant. Be interesting to have an update from OP to this thread.

rosie383

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

Sounds like this house had been let go quite a bit and wasn't brought up to standard before the tenant moved in.
How long is it since the electrics were fully checked? given the boiler is so old I dread to think....flickering lights/old shower......smoky smell, sounds scary, get the electrics checked out

OP said that the delay to T moving in was due to having an electrician in sorting out the electrics.