Broken combi boiler - rented property

skaboy607

Hi,

I live in a rented property in London, UK and on Saturday am the boiler tripped the electrics (after trial and error, pin pointed it to this). My letting agent had no emergency contact tel no.'s and no website from what I could see. I have been trying ever since to see if the problem (whatever it is) has cured itself but no such luck!

I emailed my contact there to let them know on Sunday and advised them of the situation. After speaking with someone today in the morning, an engineer is on their way round now, which is positive.

Whilst the cold is obviously irritating, (expected coldest weekend and upcoming week of the year), it being a combi boiler means that I am without hot water also which is much much worse.

The letting agent has advised that they legally have to offer heating so I am allowed to spend £50 to purchase 2 heaters if the problem is resolved tonight but that doesn't help me on the hot water front. Is there any legislation to contradict this? It doesn't seem right!

Would I be within my rights to check into a travelodge or similar?

Thanks

Guest101

skaboy607 wrote: »

Hi,

I live in a rented property in London, UK and on Saturday am the boiler tripped the electrics (after trial and error, pin pointed it to this). My letting agent had no emergency contact tel no.'s and no website from what I could see. I have been trying ever since to see if the problem (whatever it is) has cured itself but no such luck!

I emailed my contact there to let them know on Sunday and advised them of the situation. After speaking with someone today in the morning, an engineer is on their way round now, which is positive.

Whilst the cold is obviously irritating, (expected coldest weekend and upcoming week of the year), it being a combi boiler means that I am without hot water also which is much much worse.

The letting agent has advised that they legally have to offer heating so I am allowed to spend £50 to purchase 2 heaters if the problem is resolved tonight but that doesn't help me on the hot water front. Is there any legislation to contradict this? It doesn't seem right!

Would I be within my rights to check into a travelodge or similar?

Thanks

At the moment no, infact they've been very reasonable. So the cost would be for u to cover.

If the problem was to take longer than 4-6 days then I think that the reasonable timeframe had passed.

Can u not use a friends shower?

Hoploz

I own my house. If my boiler went wrong I would have to get it fixed for myself. It would be a couple of days for my plumber to come round, another day or two for him to order parts, another day or two for him to get round to fit them. During this time i would be sititng under a blanket or duvet, boiling the kettle for hot water to wash. I would assume it is going to be the same for you.

Hoploz

... Sorry, I forgot to say, it would probably cost me £200-£300.
That bit is different for you though.

skaboy607

Guest101 wrote: »

At the moment no, infact they've been very reasonable. So the cost would be for u to cover.

If the problem was to take longer than 4-6 days then I think that the reasonable timeframe had passed.

Can u not use a friends shower?

Reasonable is very subjective ;-).

Thought that might be the case but wanted to check. The law favours the landlord much more so. Not sure why I should pay rent for a building that is not performing as per the agreement but that could be a whole other friend no doubt.

Unfortunately my friends are not close enough to shower. But I did go swimming yesterday so I could use theirs. Every cloud and all that!

Thanks though

skaboy607

Thanks Hoploz.

I think the point is that i don't own my own house. I pay someone else which I consider a service and why should you pay for something that isnt performing.

I gathered this would be the case, just wanted to check.

Hoploz

Just be patient. Not everything can be done with a click of the fingers. Even when you rent.

theartfullodger

Here's what you do - in particular reporting repair issues to LANDLORD, keep copy, copy agent, in writing, and how to involved council if need be...
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_in_private_lets

How much compo are you after??

skaboy607

Thanks for replies. Not necessarily after compo, was just trying to understand what was reasonable (from the opinion of others) in this situation. Not something I have encountered before.

The current update is: engineer came round, fixed it only for it to cut out again. on 2nd visit found leak from heat exchanger, identified pump was on its way out, as was the expansion vessel.

Unit needs to be replaced but letting agent needs to get 2 compliant and competitive quotes first.

Have some temp heaters in and fingers crossed, the boiler has been temporarily fixed to allow short bursts i.e hot water.

With any luck, this will be ok so all worked out in the end!

stator

I've been for weeks without hot water. Crappy landlords are the norm, it sounds like yours aren't too bad.

Get yourself a large water container and a couple kettles to fill it up with hot water for your washing.

Guest101

stator wrote: »

I've been for weeks without hot water. Crappy landlords are the norm, it sounds like yours aren't too bad.

Get yourself a large water container and a couple kettles to fill it up with hot water for your washing.

U should know better. Two weeks with no progress?

Short version pay for the repair and deduct from rent.

Obviously giving notice if this etc as usual.