Heating bills included - who decides when to heat

G_M

Arleen wrote: »

No matter what contract says about heating the place must be habitable. Otherwise, the landlord may be in breach of his side of the contract. So I would start by notifying landlord about this problem, either via email or recorded phonecall, so you have a record of it.

Sadly there is no specification of a minimum temperature in the definition of 'uninhabitable'.

The 85 Act does not even mention heating. Whether there is specific case law I'm not sure.

Kiddy does need to quote the contract terms.

Arleen

G_M wrote: »

Sadly there is no specification of a minimum temperature in the definition of 'uninhabitable'.

The 85 Act does not even mention heating. Whether there is specific case law I'm not sure

There is no specification, but that is fairly normal for UK law, but there are guidelines to follow (together with common sense). For example private renting at gov.uk outlines general list of repairs for the landlord and rights of the tenant.

Of course what is cold for one, wil be okay for other, that is why we have just that and it varies from person to person, but if it's freezing cold, I for sure would raise that problem with the landlord, as freezing can make you ill, or make you avoid that part of house.

quotememiserable

camelot1971 wrote: »

Perhaps the LL has had tenants who run up massive utility bills then don't pay them off before leaving?

Why would that matter? You let your tennants take out util contracts in their own name, any arrears is between the utility company and them.

G_M

On reflection, I take back my earlier post.

The housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) is a risk-based evaluation tool to help local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from any deficiencies identified in dwellings. It was introduced under the Housing Act 2004 and applies to residential properties in England and Wales.

Appendix III (2) is pertinant:

EXCESS COLD
This covers the threats to health when temperatures fall below the minimum satisfactory levels for relatively long periods.
Health effects.
A healthy indoor temperature is around 21°C. There is small risk of health effects below 19°C. Below 16°C, there are serious health risks for the elderly, including greatly increased risks of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Below 10°C a great risk of hypothermia, especially for the elderly.

and:

Preventive measures that can have an effect on likelihood and harm
outcomes:
• ..........
• Appropriate heating system safely and properly installed and maintained and
controllable by occupant;

What temperatures does the property typically fall to at various times of day?

giraffe69

What system is he using to control the heating remotely, Hive/similar? That's what I have and you can still override the controls at the thermostat. Or, you can tell your friend to switch the wifi router off so that his remote controls don't work ;-)

Whilst attempting to sort out the legalities does this work OP?

kiddy_guy

Hi all

Thanks for replies...

Yes - it's a Hive system.

I'm not sure whether the controls are in a secure cupboard they can't access.The temperature is set around 16 to 17 degrees which is usually fine but goes off around 10pm and at this time of the year they're still up, around and about. Blankets abound! Im not sure of the contract situation but I suspect given the recent Hive installation I doubt thr contract has anything in.

I'll ask my colleague and update post Christmas.

getmore4less

The trick is going to get the system to heat more but not have the landlord know

Where is the thermostat?
(or has that been locked away as well?)

it should be relatively easy to get the temp up while the system is on but tricking the landlord into thinking it is off when it is still on won't be so easy if the router, hub and receiver are in a locked cupboard.

silvercar

kiddy_guy wrote: »

Hi all

Thanks for replies...

Yes - it's a Hive system.

I'm not sure whether the controls are in a secure cupboard they can't access.The temperature is set around 16 to 17 degrees which is usually fine but goes off around 10pm and at this time of the year they're still up, around and about. Blankets abound! Im not sure of the contract situation but I suspect given the recent Hive installation I doubt thr contract has anything in.

I'll ask my colleague and update post Christmas.

Hive can be controlled by any number of phones. Downloading the app to your phone is free. I wonder if you can somehow reset the password.

rtho782

silvercar wrote: »

Hive can be controlled by any number of phones. Downloading the app to your phone is free. I wonder if you can somehow reset the password.

Hive comes in three parts.

1. Hub, connects to broadband via LAN, no Wifi.

2. Thermostat, wireless, can be battery powered, has a boost button on it and a dial to manually set temp.

3. Relay, hard wired to boiler, switches it on and off.

If you can get to #2 or #3, you're sorted as you can either change the temp on #2 or press the override on #3.

If you can't, you can't just link another phone in. The Hub has no built in web interface (I have one, just checked) and is attached to an online account. Without access to the online account, you could possibly link it to a new account (If you can get to the hub - follow the ethernet wire) but then the owner will know as he will be unable to control it.

Without access to the online account you cannot change the schedule or add additional thermostats, etc.

missbiggles1

kiddy_guy wrote: »

Hi all

Thanks for replies...

Yes - it's a Hive system.

I'm not sure whether the controls are in a secure cupboard they can't access.The temperature is set around 16 to 17 degrees which is usually fine but goes off around 10pm and at this time of the year they're still up, around and about. Blankets abound! Im not sure of the contract situation but I suspect given the recent Hive installation I doubt thr contract has anything in.

I'll ask my colleague and update post Christmas.

The heating may go off at 10pm but the house doesn't suddenly become cold the moment it goes off.