Rented House and Boiler Problems

lurke

Hello MSEs,

I am looking for your help and advice. Just over two years ago I moved in my current rented accommodation. Since moving in there has been a regular issue with the boiler in that it lost pressure on a daily basis. The LL was/is aware of this issue and we need to turn a valve to repressurise the boiler. While doing this a few drops of water also came out. This was also an ongoing issue that the previous tenant experienced. The boiler has had an annual safety check, carried out by the same person twice in the time that we've been here. This person is a friend of the LL and offers "mates rates".

Yesterday, our boiler failed monumentally. There was water pouring out of the boiler which eased off as the pressure dropped. The LL's usual boiler man is currently on holiday; so they called in unaffiliated boiler man to have a look. In addition to the acute boiler problems, he was mortified to see that the blow off valve in case of over pressure was not fitted! He stated that the boiler was dangerous and should have been switched off a long time ago. The LL has not proceeded with his quote and am now waiting to hear.

My concerns are that I have a potentially lethal boiler checked annually by a possible "dodgy" character. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do now?

Sorry for rambling...
Lurke

bigfreddiel

Report this to your local housing officer and they will force your landlord to do the repairs. Of course your landlord may not be happy with this and will ask you to leave.

fj

agrinnall

You haven't said what fuel this boiler uses. If it's gas then the annual check has to be done by someone registered with Gas Safe, if you think they aren't, or that their check was not done correctly, you can either report them or make a complaint from the website.

http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

lurke

Thanks for replying, it's not so much the repairs, credit where it's due, the LL has been quick to address the issue and I can understand not wanting to take the first quote. I am concerned about this workman's findings regarding the boiler and how the "usual" boiler man has been signing the boiler off as safe when in actual fact it's been potentially very dangerous.

lurke

Sorry yes it is gas; used for heating and water. Thank you for the link, I will give it a look.

G_M

1) always check that anyone doing an annual gas report, or any repairs, is GasSafe registered. ask their name. ask for their baf=dge/number. Check here:
http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

2) if you suspect the engineer is not gassafe registered, report him to :
http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/help/report_an_illegal_gas_worker.aspx

3) write (yes, a letter) to the LL listing each occassion the boiler has failed, each visit by engineers, what they said, and asking for a ful repair or replacement. ask how long it will take.

4)

he was mortified to see that the blow off valve in case of over pressure was not fitted! He stated that the boiler was dangerous and should have been switched off a long time ago.

was he gasSafe registered? Did he switch off the boiler and put red tape on it?

5) see also:

Shelter (Repairs in private rented homes)

thesaint

Why are you concerned about a non-working boiler?

[Deleted User]

Because its not working?

agrinnall

thesaint wrote: »

Why are you concerned about a non-working boiler?

What a strange question.

Mokka

If the new boiler man thought the boiler wasn't safe he should have disconnected it immediately. Perhaps he didn't have to as the boiler is currently not working anyway. A Gas Safety registered person mustn't leave an unsafe gas appliance which is still capable of causing damage- they must make it secure, by cutting the pipes if necessary. So IMHO he also broke the rules. Your landlord was very lucky he didn't have to pay (a lot) just for getting a quote! You are rightly concerned as gas can be really dangerous.

If you do not trust your landlord, you should get your own check done. Of course with a private landlord, if you kick up a fuss, you a risking a 'revenge eviction'.
I am talking with the benefit of the hindsight, having been subjected to living with carbon monoxide emitting gas heater by an irresponsible landlord. Boilers are much safer, and have a lot of safeguards built in, but I still wouldn't take a chance.

I know nothing about boilers, but after reading a lot about them on this forum it seems that boiler constantly losing pressure indicates some sort of a leak in the system. Hopefully some gas expert will see your post and give you more detailed advice.

Also contact local council for advice. Perhaps they could check out if it's safe for free?
Environmental Health and Trading Standards would be interested to hear about any safety breaches.

thesaint

deannatrois wrote: »

Because its not working?

I don't think boilers that have been shut off are dangerous. I may be wrong though.