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Renting Flat Water Heater Problem

Hi all, I moved into a 2 bed fully electric flat with a friend at the start of the year. At the end of April, the hot water stopped working. We got the landlord to send someone out to fix the issue, and they said the hot water boost switch has been broken and stuck on the ON mode since we moved in.

This means we've been paying for the expensive day rate water heating since day 1.
We got the bill through today and worked out we've pretty much halved our electricity usage in the day, and we're wondering if there's any way we don't have to pay this bill as the letting company didn't check the broken switch. Or is it our fault for not checking? (to be honest didn't know water boost in the day was a thing anyway)

Appreciate any help, thank you.

Comments

  • sal_III
    sal_III Posts: 1,953 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts
    No way of recouping the money. Chalk it down to experience and use the bills as a reference when you move next time as to how much is normal.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    sal_III wrote: »
    No way of recouping the money. Chalk it down to experience and use the bills as a reference when you move next time as to how much is normal.
    Not sure this is true.

    The LL has an obligation to keep the heating and water-heating systems in working order.

    If they were faulty from the start, the tenant might well have justification for a claim for his consequential costs.

    Obviously need to prove the system was faulty from Day 1, and also need to show how much extra this has cost (eg comparing with costs now it's fixed, taking into account the difference in season).

    Best starting point is a polite friendly discussion to see if the LL is willing to make a contribution. If the answer is 'no', then consider legal action, but bear in mind that when the fixed term expires you can expect a S21 Notice!
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