Fire in property...any advice?

tom.gladwin

Just unsure how to proceed with the letting agent in terms of paying for repair and sorting everything out.

G_M

First - is the property inhabitable?
If not, have you any idea how long renovation will take?
And how long is your current tenancy agreement? Fixed term? Monthly?
The above affects whether the tenancy continues, or is 'frustrated' (ended due to circumstances beyond either party's control).

Repairs should be undertaken by the landlord. You should write asap to the LL, at the address provided 'for serving notices', explaining what happened (the fire, not the cause which you don't yet know), listing as best you can the work required, and asking for timescales.

Send a copy to the letting agent. It is important you do this formally, in writing, to the correct person, at the correct address.

The landlord should fix - if you do, you may not do it to his specification or standard. It is good that as a first step the agent has arranged door fitters. Facilitate this. The issue of payment can be considered later when the fire report is issued and he cause is better uderstood.

Whether the LL then charges you will depend on one or more of

* his attitude
* the fire report
* his insurers (if he claims)

Murphybear

It is very difficult to cause an accidental fire with an induction hob. If it is accidentally left on nothing will happen unless there is a pan on top. With just a bag or something then very unlikely.

As soon as there is too much heat the induction job will switch itself off, they are very safe.

I speak as an induction hob user of many years.

Doozergirl

Murphybear wrote: »

It is very difficult to cause an accidental fire with an induction hob. If it is accidentally left on nothing will happen unless there is a pan on top. With just a bag or something then very unlikely.

As soon as there is too much heat the induction job will switch itself off, they are very safe.

I speak as an induction hob user of many years.

This. Induction hobs are designed to be safe when left unattended.

[Deleted User]

My ex had a fire in his rented property. At first there were questions as to whether he'd left a deep fat fryer on but the report said that the deep fat fryer wasn't involved. There was a window in the very small kitchen that let bright sunlight in, it was eventually decided this had caused a smouldering fire (the damage was mainly from smoke, not flames). The LL made all the repairs (which were extensive) under his insurance.

On here, when I posed the question, I was rather lambasted, told it had to be the tenants fault, but thank god the report said different. My ex was away from the property at the time the fire occurred, this was also decided to be a cause of negligence on here, the report did not decide the same thing.

I hope your report will find the cause of the fault. An electrical fault is not impossible, even if the hob is induction.

BTW we were in the process of cleaning up the smoke damage when the fire inspectors arrived to look at the property. They immediately told us to stop as the smoke could contain carcinogenic substances. It wouldn't have done any good as all the plasterwork was removed, only way to remove the smoke damage.

I'm afraid without lettings insurance, you will be responsible for replacing all your personal goods.

However, it took months for the building work to be done. Basically because everytime the builders needed to do something it had to be cleared through insurance if not already cleared. I'd discuss with your LL finding another property as soon as the report is produced.

Doozergirl

deannatrois wrote: »

On here, when I posed the question, I was rather lambasted, told it had to be the tenants fault, but thank god the report said different. My ex was away from the property at the time the fire occurred, this was also decided to be a cause of negligence on here, the report did not decide the same thing.

I hope your report will find the cause of the fault. An electrical fault is not impossible, even if the hob is induction.

I can see that people are quite quick to blame on these forums.

Murphybear and I are saying that an electrical fault is more likely, not less likely, because it is an induction hob.

We're saying that the design makes it less likely to be negligent behaviour on the OP's part if the source is an induction hob.

AdrianC

...and yet it sounds as if the only thing which actually combusted was the bag which was on the worktop next to the hob.

I wonder... Cheap LiIon battery in the bag? eBay powerbank, phone or tab with market-stall replacement battery?

[Deleted User]

Thanks Doozergirl, sorry I wasn't aiming this at anyone in particular, just wanting to help the OP. I know it was a scary time for my ex, he'd not only lost his home and all his possessions, he was wondering if he'd be responsible for paying back tens of thousands of pounds as well. In his case, judging by responses on here there was no doubt he would be. Thank goodness that turned out not to be the case. Just telling the OP to wait for the report before making any decisions.

lisyloo

tom.gladwin wrote: »

Just unsure how to proceed with the letting agent in terms of paying for repair and sorting everything out.

Do not accept liability.
Best to say as little as possible but if you are pushed state that at this point in time you do not accept liability.

Have temporary repairs to the door been made?

If it’s in anyway insecure then remove any valuables, cash, bank cards not in frequent use, items of sentimental value to another location.

Davesnave

Doozergirl wrote: »

I can see that people are quite quick to blame on these forums.

Murphybear and I are saying that an electrical fault is more likely, not less likely, because it is an induction hob.

We're saying that the design makes it less likely to be negligent behaviour on the OP's part if the source is an induction hob.

I think some of us aren't blaming; just ruling out certain thoughts as to causes.

Other thoughts and hypotheses are available.

Thoughts are one thing, but the fire brigade's report is what matters, provided there's enough evidence to say what happened.