No heating!

flying_v

I'd really appreciate some advice on my new rented accomadation. Myself and my partner moved in a few weeks ago only to find the radiators didn't work. After a few visits from the maintenence man with no change, they sent a different guy round.

I spoke to him yesterday and he says the landlord knows about the problem and it would have required a new boiler, which they decided not to fit. Instead we are using 2 tiny micromark portable heaters which were supplied (1 is broken). The gas was switched off and the gas fire marked unsafe rather than fix the heating.

I'm obviously hacked off as we wouldn't have taken this place if we knew the situation. I'm concerned if the landlord doesn't agree to the work (which would be disruptive to us in itself) we won't have a leg to stand on.

Any advice would be great as my feet are cold!

roses

Have you got a valid gas safety certificate? This is a legal requirement.

Was the place advertised as having central heating before you moved in? If yes then write the landlord a letter stating it must be fixed within 14 days. If not then you will get it fixed yourself and deduct the cost from your next rent.

Guy_Montag

This sounds awful, did you let through an agency or direct from the landlord? Has the landlord told you he'll fix it, even if (as it sounds) he has no intention.

If it's an agency complain, start with phone calls, if that doesn't work, start going into their offices at busy times & complain noisily - remain polite & composed, just talk to them in loudly & slowly, as if you're talking to a foreigner.

If
it's the ladnlord, try to get something in writing to say he will fix it. Otherwise, just keep complaining, 8am on a sunday morning, 6-7pm on weekdays, etc.

This makes me SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO angry.

PasturesNew

Do you have anything in your contract in writing that specifically mentions the type of heating?

flying_v

No we don't have a gas safety certificate, i'll ask for that. The old gas heater in the front room has a warning sign on it saying its been marked unsafe - they've made it safe by switching the gas off completely!

Unfortunately i'm unclear as to whether the property had c/h advertised, don't have an advert for it to check. I'll have to see what they say on Monday.

Thanks for your advice.

flying_v

Wow more replies, I feel better already! PasturesNew, I have a line that says the landlord is responsible for:

(b) certain installations for the supply of water, electricity and gas;
(d) space heating and water heating

but not other fixtures, fittings and appliances for making use of the supply of water and electricity.

We have to give notice for those conditions to apply (which I assume means telling the landlord that there's something wrong).

Guy_Montag, its an agency and they've been fairly good so far. They are just up the road so i'll be complaining face to face at some point. It does make me angry but I agree, its best to be calm and aware of the facts.

clutton_2

whether any gas appliances work or not, whether they are labelled or not, the landlord MUST provide a CORGI gas cert as there is gas in the house - end of. He is breaking the law if he does not provide one.

a landlord has a legal duty to provide heating. if the boiler is not working how is he heating your water ?

flying_v

Well according to the builder our boiler is acting like a giant kettle and (i assume) just giving us hot water. I've spoken to them today and they are going to call me tomorrow after the agent has spoken to her director for advice.

real1314

it doesn't matter if the advert stated it had central heating or not, if you were shown round and were told that it was c/heated, that's enough, in fact I'd suggest that the only way out of it for the LL would be if they (or the agent) had explicitly stated that the c/heating didn;t work and would not be working.

flying_v

Great, all this makes me more confident of my case. We certainly weren't told the heating wasn't working. If we'd seen these two electric heaters we would never have taken the property. I will keep you all updated on how this goes, this site is invaluable!

thesaint

Could someone provide a link to where it says that a 'Gas safety certificate' is needed even when there is no gas supply.

It sounds like one of the worst things I have ever heard.