Bathroom Heater

V46R

Hi all, 

I am looking for some advice for my mother. She rents an apartment (converted mill) and the bathroom has no heating, there is a fuse spur for a wall heater but one was never installed. I have visited her many times and used the bathroom and its freezing, according to my mum it is always cold, this is not helped by the fact the windows are old and wooden. I told her to ask the landlord to install a heater as it is too cold, the agents agreed to this, however want to charge an extra £25.00 a month because of it.

Does anyone know what rights she has with regards to a heated bathroom? She doesn't mind paying the money, however I do not think she should be paying for something most landlords include and as I say its all wired up for the heater so is a simple enough job. Any help or advice is gratefully appreciated.

Thanks 

Soot2006

Sound like it would be cheaper for her to have a little heater installed (and then remove/make good when she leaves)

dimbo61

So what is the EPC rating for this freezing cold property with No heating in the bathroom and single glazed windows ?

https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates

Now you can't rent out a property without an EPC and it must be "E" or better.
Has  the LA/LL sorted out an EICR to say the electrics are safe ?

AdrianC

If there's a fused spur and outlet there already, it's trivially easy to install one.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/blyss-wall-mounted-dry-inertia-ceramic-heater-2000w/437fh

As far as "should they?", she was happy enough to rent the property as-is, without bathroom heating. Equally, it's bloody tight-fisted to say £25/mo given they'll recoup the expenditure within a couple of months like that.

If t'were me, I'd be installing it, not changing the rent - and regarding it as a cheap investment in tenant retention...

coffeehound

Also a larger electric towel rail would work for a smaller bathroom, say 300 watts or more.  Often available on ebay, gumtree, etc.

dimbo61

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Kudox-Flat-Electric-Towel-Radiator---Chrome-300-x-1100-mm/p/137754

This is a brand new one from Wickes ( other DIY stores are available )

ic

Where exactly is the fused connection?  Is it switched, and is that in the room or outside the room?  Is the circuit protected by RCD?

If its unswitched, and high up then a downflow heater operated with a pull-cord is ideal: https://www.toolstation.com/search?q=downflow - it'd be a very simply DIY install.

If its low down, then consideration needs to be given to how its operated whilst remaining safe within the bathroom (wet hands, jets of water, etc).

Increasing the rent by £25 a month forever more for installing a cheap heater, if the appropriate connection is available, is frankly obscene.

coffeehound

It's surprisingly hard to find clear regs for private rentals in England  (Northern Ireland is very clear that all rooms should have installed heating).

Shelter imply it as part of the fitness for habitation requirements, fourth line from bottom:



https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/is_your_home_fit_for_habitation

Perhaps worth speaking to Citizens Advice online and/or Shelter to confirm what you can request from the LL 

lucypilates

I’m wondering if the bills are included with the rent and maybe it’s to cover increased electric costs?

 Not saying that’s right but might be the Landlords reasoning because I can’t think why they would charge more just for a heater  otherwise!! 

theartfullodger

Invite (written ) council to conduct HHSRS survey.  Look up HHSRS guidance to Landlords and then prime council.  

Landlord should be banned from letting properties for his lack of action.