No normal heating in the flat

Pincher

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

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

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

Dated 2nd April 2013



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/constructionandproperty/9967397/Germans-develop-a-thirst-to-own-their-homes.html






"Germany has traditionally been a nation of tenants rather than homeowners, famously so in Berlin, where low rents have encouraged a flourishing alternative scene of artists’ studios and clubs in derelict warehouses.


Almost half of Germans do not own a home, the lowest proportion in Europe with the exception of Switzerland, the only country in which a majority of the population lives in rented accommodation.


By contrast, seven out of 10 people in Britain live in owner-occupied accommodation."


That article seems to be saying Germany is the number two renting country in 2013, number one being Switzerland.

lucystardust87

Some practical advise - if I were you I would live in the flat until April when you can move. Put up with the electric panel heaters and buy a portable heater to keep you warm until then. Put it down to experience and you'll remember next time to check the type of heating before signing a lease.

Better_Days

Sorry OP but you should have checked the method of heating before you signed the tenancy agreement.

Both the LL and tenant incurrs costs at the begining of a tenancy so it makes sense to have a minimum period of 6 months. This should be clear on the tenancy agreement that you signed.

Electric heating is expensive. Some people find oil filled radiators better to use as although they cost the same to run they give out heat over a longer period of time than a fan heater. They are slower to warm up though. Some people prefer halogen heaters.

I wouldn't advise a calor gas heater as they give out a lot of condensation.

Also you could purchase an electric blanket - they are very cheap to run and possibly also an electric throw - http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=electric%20throw

Don't have the immersion heater on all the time as that will really run up the bills. Your cooker will probably be electric but you could consider a halogen oven which is cheaper to run, or a combi microwave.

Do keep the flat aired so condensation/mould doesn't build up and the LL docks your deposit for cleanup.

I do sympathise, I hate being cold, I grew up in a house without CH - but it does appear you have signed a contract to rent this property for 6 months.

pumen

lucystardust87 wrote: »

Some practical advise - if I were you I would live in the flat until April when you can move. Put up with the electric panel heaters and buy a portable heater to keep you warm until then. Put it down to experience and you'll remember next time to check the type of heating before signing a lease.

Thanks. Of course, I will move out as I am paying over 600pounds per week for the rent and do not have a normal heating. This is a very expensive and painful experience. I am just amazed how this can be - my assumption was that there is some sort of a storage heating, but there is just nothing. These electric panels take forever to warm the flat (and they do not) , are super expensive to run, and once they are off - the place immediately becomes super cold. What a rip off really!!! If they are on for all 24 hrs, I cannot even imagine how much my bill will be.

pumen

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

: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.....

PerfectLy decent heating system is the one which keeps the flat warm and is efficient to operate. This is not the case here.

You cannot really understand how cold or warm the flat is until you actually move in. When we viewed, it was still very warm outside. This flat had an EPC rating of 74 - which I think is Ok vs. many others I have seen (55-60). I cannot imagine you can get 74 without having a decent heating system.

Pincher

pumen wrote: »

Thanks. Of course, I will move out as I am paying over 600pounds per week for the rent and do not have a normal heating.


If they are on for all 24 hrs, I cannot even imagine how much my bill will be.

£600 x 4 = £2,400 ~ £2,500 a month. ??


http://www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent/details/35171482?search_identifier=730f0c4d6a9c04208fb6bc1e77309206#wk8QK0OGXwImgeKe.97




This is a Grade II listed building, with a full-time concierge in reception. Professional gas boiler in the basement for the whole building. The insulation is so good, that you don't really need to turn the radiators on. Asking rent £2,578 per month. Walking distance to Clerkenwell, a seriously trendy area.


On the other hand, if you are paying £600 per month, i.e. £140 per week, it all makes sense.

pumen

Pincher wrote: »

£600 x 4 = £2,400 ~ £2,500 a month. ??


http://www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent/details/35171482?search_identifier=730f0c4d6a9c04208fb6bc1e77309206#wk8QK0OGXwImgeKe.97




This is a Grade II listed building, with a full-time concierge in reception. Professional gas boiler in the basement for the whole building. The insulation is so good, that you don't really need to turn the radiators on. Asking rent £2,578 per month. Walking distance to Clerkenwell, a seriously trendy area.


On the other hand, if you are paying £600 per month, i.e. £140 per week, it all makes sense.

But we can't move now because we can't break before April. Of course, in April, we will move out as I am not going to pay so much money for so crappy quality with lack of adequate heating.

Nada666

You can afford to spend that on rent but can't afford to spend £5 a day to warm a room? And that would be 24 hours. If working only £3.50 to £4.

And surely the problem is the fabric and insulation, not the form of heat.

Andy_WSM

pumen wrote: »

have a normal heating.

I really think it's your perception of what is "normal" is to blame.

A huge number of properties in the UK aren't even on the gas supply and still rely on solid fuels, oil or LPG supply to heat and that can be just as expensive as all electric all things considered.

As things currently stand, new build properties after 2016 will not have gas heating (The law may change, but that's what it currently is).

Have you worked out how much your electric heating is ACTUALLY costing or are you assuming it's going to be expensive? If it takes ages to warm up it would suggest it's not using much power as electric heating is 100% efficient, unlike gas.

Robin9

Four things you need to do

1 Read your meters now and see how many units you have used since you moved in.

2 Then work out the costs - you say its expensive but you dont quote any actual figures

3 You say the flat doesn't get warm - check thermostat and timers

4 Talk to your neighbours