Rented flat - heating problems - where do I stand?

messyfreckle

My (underfloor) heating broke in my flat (rented) on 18November. I had come home to findcondensation on the boiler and all the red lights on the dashboard control litup red. I called the letting agency andasked if they could get someone around to fix it, and sent them an email withphotographs of the issue. A few dayslater someone came around while I was at work but couldn't do anything becausehe couldn't find the radiators (I have underfloor heating). Theletting agency hadn't realised it was underfloor heating so found a differentcontractor to come out. He came out afew days later and couldn’t find a problem. Basically, I have had around 5 contractors over the last month or sotrying to sort the issue but nobody knows that the problem is.

In all this time I have had no heating. Thankfully my hot water hasn't been effected,but it's the middle of winter and bloody cold with no heating! I have been offered loan of an electricheater from my parents but I know they cost a fortune to run, and it's mainlyfirst thing in the morning, and during the night that the coldness gets to meand I wouldn't want to be running the heater all night.

I was following up with the letting agency every few days tofind out what was going on and it transpired that on the 20thDecember another contractor came to have a look and said he thinks it might bethe 'controller' that is bust and replacing that might fix it, but he's notsure. He was going to source another oneand as soon as it arrived he would fit it. I asked when this was likely to be and they said the new year. I contacted the letting agency yesterday foran update and have just heard back a moment ago – the part is no longermanufactured and they need to try and speak to the manufacturer and try andfind an alternate part that will work.

I just wondered, basically, whether there is anything I cando about this. I know the letting agencyare trying their best – they're finding contractors and sending them out, andare feeding back the results of the call outs to me when I phone and ask (Iwork an hour away from home so can't pop home to be there when the contractorscome to look at it). I know they'retrying hard, but it's been almost 2 months now and I'm still no closer togetting it fixed.

What, rightfully, can I do about it? Anything at all? I know getting cross with them won't solvethings, but I kind of want to get angry and demand it be fixed or a refund onmy rent or something for the hassle it's causing me but I don't think Ican. I just want to gee them up a bitand get it fixed as it's driving me crazy!

Any advice!?

Pixie5740

It's good that the LA seem to be something about your heating problems. I think you just need to be provided with a means of heating your home so you could ask for the LL/LA to supply an alternative way of heating your home which will probably just be electric heaters (like the one your parents have already offered to lend you) until the problem is fixed. You could ask for a rent reduction but I don't think that legally you would be due one if electric heaters are supplied.


The LA are most likely acting on behalf of the LL (who is the one your contract is actually with).

G_M

Have you written to the landlord, at the address provided "for the serving of notices"? Do so, and also recap what actions the agent has done, with what results, ad on what dates you have previously reported/followed up.

Send a copy to the agent.

Yes - by letter.

Also ask for an alternative source of heating to be provided as a matter of urgency, until the problem is fixed.

And ask for details of what/when the LL intends to do next.

If after this you get nowhere, contact Environmental Health.

Or try to find a contractor yourself who specialises in this kind of heating. Do NOT just instruct the contractor to fix: get a quote and send it to the LL.

see also

Shelter (Repairs in private rented homes)

messyfreckle

Pixie5740 wrote: »

It's good that the LA seem to be something about your heating problems. I think you just need to be provided with a means of heating your home so you could ask for the LL/LA to supply an alternative way of heating your home which will probably just be electric heaters (like the one your parents have already offered to lend you) until the problem is fixed. You could ask for a rent reduction but I don't think that legally you would be due one if electric heaters are supplied.


The LA are most likely acting on behalf of the LL (who is the one your contract is actually with).

That's pretty much what I thought to be the case. I didn't think a rent-reduction was fair or legal but everybody at work and my family think i'm crazy for sitting back and doing nothing. I know the agency are doing their best and are being really pretty good about it. I didn't think there was anything I could do, but it's good to hear others thinking it too!

Pixie5740

There's no harm is asking though. Just because legally they might not have to give you a reduction doesn't mean to say that they won't.