Where do I stand? Boiler issue

robots_2

I privately rent and the boiler is faulty. It cuts out eight or nine times a day and we have to go under the cover (not really supposed to) to switch it back on. We reported this to the letting agent and they sent out our usual gas engineer (the one who services the boiler each year) and he said it needs to be replaced ASAP as he can't repair it because it's so old that he can't get parts for it anymore. That was over three weeks ago. We've been back and forth to the letting agents who told us that the landlady is trying to get a grant (she's a complete skinflint) so she can get a new one for free because we claim certain benefits. We have two very small children (17 months and 7 months), both have chest issues (one has been hospitalised twice recently for a severe chest infection, the other is possibly asthmatic but too young for an official diagnosis) so we need reliable heating and hot water.
Where do we stand legally? What are her obligations as a private landlord and as of right now does it sound like she's adhering to them? We've had a few suggestions such as not going back under the cover of the boiler and making the letting agents send out the emergency engineer each time it cuts out (it costs the landlady £50 a visit for the emergency engineer to come out) but I'm not sure I want to risk my children's home by !!!!ing her off that much.
I'm sure nothing is going to be done now until after the new year, it's a major PITA.

marksoton

You need to formalise it and write (Pen and paper) to the address stated on the lease.

Anything less and you're at the LL's mercy.

Lloyd90

You sound very patient compared to others on here.

Mark has given good advice.

Please be careful with the boiler, do you have gas and co2 alarm just in case?

TBagpuss

as a first step, I would write (paper, stamp etc) to the lanlord using the sddress in your lease for serving notice.

Put in writing that the boiler is faulty.

List the dates on which you have reported it to the agents.

State that the engineer came on [date] and confirmed that the boiler cannot be repaired and requires replacement.

State that this means that you are regualrly left without heating or hot water and that this is not acceptable and is causing issues with your children's health conditions.

Ask her to confirm to you in writing when the boiler will be replaced nad what steps she planbs to take until that happens to provide adwequare facilities for you - you could suggest options - eg. her providing plug-in heaters for your use in the mean time.

in terms of calling out an emergency engineer, i think this depends a little on who has told you you should not be going under the cover - f the engineer has told you tat you should not do so, then I would say call him out. If it is the landlard then I would say in your letter that according to her requirements, you are not supposed to do so and that you will therefore be following her instructions andthat you will be contacting the agetns to send out the enginer each time the boiler cuts out.

next time the engineer comsout I'd also suggest asking whether there are any ssafety concersn. iassume that ththere are not, but if he is advising against you resetting it then ask him to put that in writing in his report.

robots_2

I've just been on the phone to environmental health who are sending out an officer just after the new year to assess the boiler. They gave me the number of the nest scheme, who I called and half way through the assessment they run a check and my landlady hasn't even registered the property with rent smart Wales, which is illegal now and quite funny considering the landlady and her husband's occupations. The letting agents are furious that the landlady hasn't registered the property, I might've rocked the boat a little here.
I'll definitely be logging everything in writing from now, thanks for the advice! We have a CO2 monitor, I've never heard of a gas monitor before now.

emsywoo123

robots wrote: »

I privately rent and the boiler is faulty. It cuts out eight or nine times a day and we have to go under the cover (not really supposed to) to switch it back on. We reported this to the letting agent and they sent out our usual gas engineer (the one who services the boiler each year) and he said it needs to be replaced ASAP as he can't repair it because it's so old that he can't get parts for it anymore. That was over three weeks ago. We've been back and forth to the letting agents who told us that the landlady is trying to get a grant (she's a complete skinflint) so she can get a new one for free because we claim certain benefits. We have two very small children (17 months and 7 months), both have chest issues (one has been hospitalised twice recently for a severe chest infection, the other is possibly asthmatic but too young for an official diagnosis) so we need reliable heating and hot water.
Where do we stand legally? What are her obligations as a private landlord and as of right now does it sound like she's adhering to them? We've had a few suggestions such as not going back under the cover of the boiler and making the letting agents send out the emergency engineer each time it cuts out (it costs the landlady £50 a visit for the emergency engineer to come out) but I'm not sure I want to risk my children's home by !!!!ing her off that much.
I'm sure nothing is going to be done now until after the new year, it's a major PITA.

This sounds much like the experience I have in my house; the central heating packs up once it gets to -2 outside..... I have been here nearly 2 years and had SO many engineer visits and empty promises from the LL, that I have today served notice. I did try to resolve for the whole time I was here, but have admitted defeat!