Boiler issues

sithmaster

Hi all I rent off a housing association and I'm having boiler issues. 
Basically I either get no hot water or no heating. 
They come to fix it but the same issue happens again within 3 months.
I have had this issue for the last 3 years and report it every time. They come and repair.
The boiler was Installed in 2008.
Do I have to just put up with it or can I insist on it being changed?
I have asked before if it can be changed but the answer I got was no, they can throw all the money to repair but there is no funds to replace. 
I wouldn't mind so much if it was just me but I have a 5 and 1 year old.
This issue has happened again and I would like some advice on what to say if anything. 
I currently get heating but no hot water. 
The only way I can get it is to switch off the boiler leave it 30 seconds and put it back on but when the hot water comes out it's over 100 degrees.
Thank you

diggingdude

No they don't have to replace it if it isn't dangerous.  Eventually they will get sick of fixing but that will likely be a while yet

notrouble

You say "either get no hot water or no heating. They come to fix it but the same issue happens again within 3 months. I have had this issue for the last 3 years" so it is not a continuous issue but a recurring one?

Has the engineer told you what causes the problem? What it is he does to correct it each time?

But basically, so long as they fix the problem each time, they are doing what they have to do. Replacing the boiler would seem wise if they cannot get a premenant repair, but it's up to the landlord.

Plus, you do have access to heat, and you do have access to hot water.

eddddy

Ideally, when the heating engineer comes next time, ask them exactly what the problem is, and why it keeps recurring. If the engineer says the boiler needs replacing, that will give you extra 'ammunition' to use against the housing association.

But FWIW, what you describe isn't necessary a problem with the boiler itself - it may be another part of the heating system.

For example, one possibility would be a motorised 3-way valve getting stuck - which is often separate from the boiler. (Some heating systems use a motorised valve to switch the hot water between the radiator circuit and the hot water circuit.)

And, for example, a 'cheapo' heating engineer might be 'unsticking' the valve each time, when it really needs to be replaced. 

thearchitect

Eddy's advice is, in my view, sound and I would commend it to you.  There is, however, one thing I would add.  Boilers have a design life of around ten years (combi units tend to fail slightly earlier because they're worked harder, traditional systems - a read beast these days for domestic work - seem to last a bit longer).   Much will depend on brand quality, althoiugh I've had problems with some well-respected names in the past.   So it may be approaching the end of its life anyway.