Ventilation unit - Landlord or tenant responsible for replacing filters?

Adam1996

I have a MVHR ventilation system installed in the apartment in rent.  The system has indicated in needs its filters replaced and I'm wondering if its my responsibility as tenant to replace them or if this is the landlords?

 I've looked through my tenancy agreement and inventory and it doesn't mention who's responsibility it is to maintain it. If it doesn't specifically say I'm responsible as tenant to replace, as it does with light bulbs etc, does that mean it's the responsibility of the landlord?

coffeehound

That's a difficult one.  On the one hand, it's an installed system so a building maintenance and management issue.  On the other hand, it's a consumable item.  It really should have been given a clause in the tenancy agreement.  It would certainly be worth writing formally to the LA in the first instance to request the filters are replaced and see what happens

theartfullodger

Are the filters washable?? Do you have instruction manual or other documentation regarding the system? 

If it ain;t specified I suspect it's landlord responsibility.  But I may be wrong. 

ProDave

Not all need replacing. Some can just be removed, washed, dried and replaced.  It is only the paper ones that need replacing.

caprikid1

Cost ? If the value is low it might be worthwhile doing it and ask the landlord to reimburse and provide them receipts .

Bradden

Slighly off topic but how do you find the MVHR copes in the summer months? My last apartment had an MVHR .. it was like living in overi last Summer.

Adam1996

theartfullodger said:

Are the filters washable?? Do you have instruction manual or other documentation regarding the system? 

If it ain;t specified I suspect it's landlord responsibility.  But I may be wrong. 

They aren't washable. The documentation for the system is on an online portal for the building (each apartment in the building has the same system but there are a mixture of owners and renters here).

It mentions that the filters need to be replaced every 12 months with links to purchase the filters, so I do have the option to purchase them, but if there is landlord responsibility here I'd like to avoid that cost.

In my documentation for tenancy there are no mentions of the system or maintaining it , other than it existing in the inventory. T&C's just mention light bulb and smoke detector battery replacement is tenant responsibility. 

theartfullodger

I would write/email your landlord a calm, polite letter noting all current repair issues, including this one.  Here's some guidance on doing so, with a draft letter.
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/how_to_report_repairs_to_a_private_landlord

- and see how he responds... 

Artful: Landlord since 2000

canaldumidi

They are consumables like lightbulbs. Tenant responsibility.

Many aspects of responsibilities in tenancy agreements are implied, or laid down in Common Law (eg acting in a 'tenant-like manner) and donot need specifying individually in the TA itself.

Adam1996

Bradden said:

Slighly off topic but how do you find the MVHR copes in the summer months? My last apartment had an MVHR .. it was like living in overi last Summer.

I'm afraid I don't know yet, I moved in September, so haven't had a summer here yet

ProDave

Bradden said:

Slighly off topic but how do you find the MVHR copes in the summer months? My last apartment had an MVHR .. it was like living in overi last Summer.

We have MVHR and no we don't find this.  MVHR is a means of providing fresh air into a property without wasting a lot of heat expelling stale warm air. It should not on it's own heat a house.

The fact you have mvhr usually means you are lucky enough to have a well built well insulated house.

MVHR does not mean you can't open windows.  In the summer if it gets warm, we open all the upstairs windows wide at night (night purge) to let heat out and cooler night air in.  Then shut them in the morning, and the good insulation stops the house heating up too much in the heat of the day.

Remember the heat exchanger that all the air passes through works both ways, so if it is hot outside the incoming air actually gets cooled by the outgoing air.

Some have what is called a "summer bypass" mode.  Don't turn that on when it is hot. That will mean the hot daytime air comes straight in with no cooling effect from the outgoing air.