Boiler and radiators not working how much should I compensate my tenants?

Dodgyboiler&tennants

I am hoping for some advise regarding an appropriate level of compensation to give to my tenants because of boiler and heat issues they faced in my flat.

They're a lovely, young couple who've rented the flat for three years now and I am quite happy to leave them be and only go round if there's some minor repair. However this March (was very cold in this part of the country) the boiler repeatedly failed as well as one and then the other radiator (the boiler and radiators are all electric).

I had to send round an electrician ten times :eek: before the boiler and both radiators were working so for over 35 days the boiler and radiators were on and off intermediately.

I am still amazed that my tenants never once complained or asked for compensation and it's too my huge shame that I am only now finding the time to finally make right for the huge hassle and discomfort they had to endure.

What would your recommend I should offer them?

pinkshoes

I would send them a nice food hamper and thank them for being so patient whilst you got the boiler sorted.

Kynthia

As you know you don't have to compensate them, particularly if you did all you could as quick as you could and paid for any required alternative heating/hot water or out of pocket expenses. However we all know that keeping a goid relationship benefits both sides and the longer you keep a good tenant the less costs and hassle a landlord incurs. So if you want to do something then that's great.

It can be anything you are comfortable with that you don't think will insult them. You could send them a selection of wine, a massive box of chocolates and a letter of appreciation (better if it was done soon after), or a big hamper. As it's been a while after you could possibly do this at Christmas which would be a traditional time to give something and you could say it was for being such understanding tenants when things happened during the year. That way it wouldn't seem late just a different time to acknowledge their understanding.

If you are looking to give a monetary amount I don't think it should be too great when they still had the whole property to live in with no major rooms out of bounds and you didn't do anything wrong, such as ignore necessary work or cause the failure by any negligence, incompetence or cutting corners. So £100 - £200 up to a max of half a months rent (minimum 20% of a months rent if £100 is below that). I'd only offer for major disruption too as you don't want to create an expectation of compensation if you offer money off multiple times. Again it has been suggested by others on the past tgat doing this in December or January when people typically has less money available due to xmas and new year can be a nice bonus to your tenants.

dimbo61

50% of the rent for 1 calander month.
You tried to fix the problem and acted in a " Landlord like manner"
The only other thing you could have done was to supply portable heaters

stator

Ask them to provide a copy of their electricity bills before the boiler went wrong and after and provide them with the difference.

G_M

Given the length of time that's passed, I'd wait till Christmas and then give them a nice present (the hamper is a good idea, or a case of 6 bottles of decent wine). Christmas card wishing them a happy 2017 and thanking them for their understanding last March.

xylophone

How about enclosing a Marks and Spencer gift voucher (say £75-£100) in a Christmas card and dropping it through their letterbox in very early December?

It would cover some of the "Christmas Cheer".:)

Miss_Samantha

In general tenants are not entitled to more than they would get if they were owner-occupiers.

So if the issue wasn't your fault and was resolved in the same way an owner-occupier would have then you don't have to compensate.

If they didn't request anything, I would not offer any discount or anything but perhaps I would send send something for Christmas, e.g. a hamper, chocolates/champagne with your wishes and thanks for being understanding.

bobbymotors

Say you are very sorry for all the hassle and although you did your best, it's regrettable that it took so long.

And £50 towards a night out.

They sound briliant tenants, and you sound like a responsible land lord, it's how it ought to be, well done.

Marktheshark

When did you last raise the rent ?
They may already be getting a monthly bonus.

bobbymotors

Marktheshark wrote: »

When did you last raise the rent ?
They may already be getting a monthly bonus.

Hadn't thought of that...!

But if they're really looking after the place and pay bang on time, a minimal increase is the way forward.