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Boiler not working - no heating or hot water. How long?
ryuuoo
Posts: 55 Forumite
Hi all
I live in a shared house. Basically yesterday we noticed that we had no hot water or heating in the house.
I tried to look into the boiler see what was going on but I have no idea. Basically it wasn't working at all.
I called the landlord and he came in the evening. He had a look at it and said it was possibly the pump which wasn't working. He said an engineer would come today to have a look at it.
The engineer just came today and said the boiler is in a right old state. Rusty, dusty and the lot. The electricals have failed and basically it needs servicing throughout. He said he would tell our landlord about the situation and that HOPEFULLY a Glow Worm technician would come tomorrow to fix it. He also said it seemed that the whole system had not been looked after because the 'emergency immersion' system hadn't kicked it because it is not working either. If it were working that would have given us emergency hot water.
Right now it is 2 degrees outside. The water that comes out of the shower must be around the same temperature because it is freezing! I couldn't even wash the dishes for longer that 5 minutes because my hands went numb.
I didn't like the word HOPEFULLY. The weekend is near and it is just insane to not have any hot water.
We have NEVER in two years paid our rent late, many times a couple of days early, or even asked for anything. When we did ask for a new microwave he charged us £70 for it... calling it a 'deposit'.
What would you do? How serious would you let it get?
I read online and our rights state that this situation (not having heating or hot water in cold temperatures) would constitute an 'emergency' and he would need to sort itout in 24 hours from us notifying him. Which he hasn't.
What are our rights? Could we tell the council? Would that be faster at all to get this fixed?
Thank you!
I live in a shared house. Basically yesterday we noticed that we had no hot water or heating in the house.
I tried to look into the boiler see what was going on but I have no idea. Basically it wasn't working at all.
I called the landlord and he came in the evening. He had a look at it and said it was possibly the pump which wasn't working. He said an engineer would come today to have a look at it.
The engineer just came today and said the boiler is in a right old state. Rusty, dusty and the lot. The electricals have failed and basically it needs servicing throughout. He said he would tell our landlord about the situation and that HOPEFULLY a Glow Worm technician would come tomorrow to fix it. He also said it seemed that the whole system had not been looked after because the 'emergency immersion' system hadn't kicked it because it is not working either. If it were working that would have given us emergency hot water.
Right now it is 2 degrees outside. The water that comes out of the shower must be around the same temperature because it is freezing! I couldn't even wash the dishes for longer that 5 minutes because my hands went numb.
I didn't like the word HOPEFULLY. The weekend is near and it is just insane to not have any hot water.
We have NEVER in two years paid our rent late, many times a couple of days early, or even asked for anything. When we did ask for a new microwave he charged us £70 for it... calling it a 'deposit'.
What would you do? How serious would you let it get?
I read online and our rights state that this situation (not having heating or hot water in cold temperatures) would constitute an 'emergency' and he would need to sort itout in 24 hours from us notifying him. Which he hasn't.
What are our rights? Could we tell the council? Would that be faster at all to get this fixed?
Thank you!
0
Comments
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Don't know about rights, but, to tide you over, you can boil enough in four saucepans for a "bucket bath" & also for washing up. Borrow a fan heater or portable oil-filled radiator. Wear a woolly hat, fleece layers & bring your duvet down to the sofa until you go to bed.0
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What are our rights? Could we tell the council? Would that be faster at all to get this fixed?
Seems as if the LL hasn't delayed taking action. What more could you reasonably expect them to do. Unfortunately getting trades people at short notice isn't easy. Particularly at this time of the year.0 -
Look here http://www.thetenantsvoice.co.uk/advice_from_us/heating-and-hot-water/
Plus is there a gas safe inspection certificate? LL could be in big trouble if not.0 -
thanks for your reply knightstyle!
That's the website I got our rights from. It all makes sense.
Now that you mention it, sometimes we do get a soft smell of gas in the house. We have it down to a hob on the cooker which always lights up a little bit when the others are turned on.
is this a big problem?
edit: having read up on the gas safety certificate thing, it does say that by law the landlord needs to have it done every 12 months. this has definitely not happened while we have been here: 24 months.0 -
That website does not give you your rights. It's more a list of wants than rights.
Your landlord has to carry out repairs in a reasonable timescale and it sounds as though that's what he's doing. You have access to hot water (kettle, pans on the hob). As for hearing has your landlord provided some electric heaters? If not ask for some.
No it's not normal for a hob to light up when the gas has been switched on. Nor is it normal to smell gas in your home. Do you have a CO alarm? If not get one. If you are concerned about leaking gas call 0800 111 999.
Yes your landlord is required to have an annual gas safety check carried out. Ask him to arrange this asap and if he refuses report him to HSE.0 -
That website does not give you your rights. It's more a list of wants than rights.
Your landlord has to carry out repairs in a reasonable timescale and it sounds as though that's what he's doing. You have access to hot water (kettle, pans on the hob). As for hearing has your landlord provided some electric heaters? If not ask for some.
No it's not normal for a hob to light up when the gas has been switched on. Nor is it normal to smell gas in your home. Do you have a CO alarm? If not get one. If you are concerned about leaking gas call 0800 111 999.
Yes your landlord is required to have an annual gas safety check carried out. Ask him to arrange this asap and if he refuses report him to HSE.
Thank you for your response.
I have just emailed him thanking him for being so quick in sorting this out and asking for him to sort out the boiler asap.
I have also asked him for a copy of the annual gas safety check. I mentioned we never received one so hopefully that will be arranged soon.
We do not have a CO alarm... I'm a bit worried now so probably will get one.0 -
Write a letter. Yes, a formal letter to the landlord at the address "for serving notices".
Dear Mr Landlord,
This is just to confirm that the boiler has broken down at the house. The engineer who you kindly arranged today to repair reported that the boiler is in poor condition, but that that hopefully a Glow Worm technician would come tomorrow to fix it.
If this occurs, then many thanks for your speedy response!
However in the event that the engineer does not come, or is unable to fix it, can I request
* a temporary alternative source of heating
* a timetable for next steps to fix or replace the boiler
Can I also point out there does not appear to be a current landlords safety report for the boiler?
Yours sincerely,
Ryuuoo0 -
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Thank you for the template. A CO alarm is on the way from Amazon and should be delievered tomorrow.
Thank you again! Hopefully we won't be without hot water too long!0 -
Thank you for the template. A CO alarm is on the way from Amazon and should be delievered tomorrow.
Thank you again! Hopefully we won't be without hot water too long!
A CO alarm is of absolutely no benefit in a gas leak situation. It detects combustion products from faulty or badly installed device, not a "raw" leakage of gas which could lead to explosion.
Get the hob investigated pronto. If you smell gas call the emergency number.0
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