No normal heating in the flat

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

pumen wrote: »

I couldn't even imagine that This problem may happen in this great country. I lived in a number of second-third world countries and always had good heating in winters with warm flats. This was indeed my mistake and that is why I am seeking advice what to do now. These people charge a lot of money and do not provide a basic necessity such as heating.

:rotfl::rotfl:

You live in a block of flats. I suspect other residents are warm. Ask them how they operate theirs.

It sounds to me like there's a perfectly decent electric heating system, you just don't know how to use it.

Certainly we're not a shivering country of incompetents. Most of us ascertain how a building is heated before we sign a contract to live there.....

Nada666

Have you actually determined how much keeping one room warm costs? Between meals, once you are finished cooking, read your meters and find out. Once you get an idea of how much it costs then you can decide how much you want or need to spend on warmth.

I am confused by your claim to be well-travelled. Gas heating is more of a rarity world-wide, not electric.

Andy_WSM

pumen wrote: »

I couldn't even imagine that This problem may happen in this great country.

Was the grass greener before you arrived?

Electric heating is surprisingly common in the UK. Gas may not be available in your block and / or there may be regulations (likely some EU bull) that prevents gas being installed.

matelodave

Many blocks of flats don't have gas at all as it may not have been allowed when they were built. There are many places in the UK where mains gas is not available so other forms of heating, including electricity have to be used.


Electric heating in various forms is perfectly acceptable - you just need to learn how to use it. If what you've got is insufficient for your needs then you'll have to get extra heating appliances to supplement it.


Perhaps you'd like to tell us which third world countries you've been in with mains gas piped into the huts

lstar337

pumen wrote: »

I am a consumer of the flat and as I am not satisfied with the service, i should be allowed to move, but I do not think this is how it works in the UK? They told me I cannot move at least six months

They cannot force you to live there.

You can move, but you will still be required to pay rent for the minimum period. If you do move, you'll be paying rent on two places.

The minimum period is there to protect landlords against time wasters.

Farway

Andy_WSM wrote: »

Was the grass greener before you arrived?

Electric heating is surprisingly common in the UK. Gas may not be available in your block and / or there may be regulations (likely some EU bull) that prevents gas being installed.

Err not EU bull, how about Rowan Point for no gas in tower blocks / flats

lstar337

Farway wrote: »

Err not EU bull, how about Rowan Point for no gas in tower blocks / flats

Not saying the gas was not to blame for the damage, but the construction of the building is what led to the huge amount of damage.

Pincher

Gas central heating has a lot of costs the landlord has to pay. Even without a breakdown, which can cost hundreds, there are :


1. Annual safety certificate, about £80, it's a legal requirement.


2. Annual service, not compulsory, but he should do it.


There is also the possibility of leaks.
These days, we also expect a boiler replacement every ten years, which is £2,000.


Some landlords have been known to rip out the entire gas central heating system to avoid the costs. Electric panel are cheap to install, has nothing to maintain. The expensive electricity is a cost to the tenant, Horray!


In fact, for twenty years now, many new purpose built developments intended for the rental market had been specifically built with no gas, because canny landlords prefer to buy flats without gas.


You should rent in Germany, they build proper houses with decent insulation. They have industrial boilers in the basement that come on in October, and doesn't stop until April. They have a mature rental market, such that people don't need to buy, and rent all their lives. I know this widow, she simply downsized when her husband died, in her seventies.


Actually, it's a mystery how they lost the war, TWICE.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Pincher wrote: »

You should rent in Germany, they build proper houses with decent insulation. They have industrial boilers in the basement that come on in October, and doesn't stop until April. They have a mature rental market, such that people don't need to buy, and rent all their lives. I know this widow, she simply downsized when her husband died, in her seventies.


Actually, it's a mystery how they lost the war, TWICE.

What an odd bit of storytelling (well, apart from the war bit).

As of 2013, the majority of people in Germany own their property.

pumen

lstar337 wrote: »

They cannot force you to live there.

You can move, but you will still be required to pay rent for the minimum period. If you do move, you'll be paying rent on two places.

The minimum period is there to protect landlords against time wasters.

Wow, what a waste of a thread with such rude people like yourself. Perhaps you are one of those landlords who rips people off. I started the thread to seek advice and help, not to listen to your stupid remarks.