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assistance with a letter to the landlord .. please
Tygermoth
Posts: 1,413 Forumite
Hi all.. long time lurker but infrequent poster.
I have been trying to write a letter to my landlord for most of this evening and it just does not seem to be coming our right.. could you have a 'look see' and make some suggestions? (sorry it is long as i really really want the go-ahead)
Please note back ground info - The cottage we reside in belongs to a small ramshackle country estate and as such the homes rented out are all a touch 'down in the heel' but make up for it in slightly lower rental price, location and charm. Because of the general estate costs they really have little left over for maintenance and upkeep. The windows to which I refer to in the letter are leaded and bowed and i imagine would cost hundreds of thousands to replace on all the cottages. Secondary glazing was fitted at great expense however the previous tenants to us stole it (as well as utterly trashing the property)
anyhoo my begging letter.....
We were hoping you could liaise with the landlord on our behalf in relation to a further modification we would like to make to his property. We have undertaken works at the property previously and hope you agree we have improved and updated with care and attention to detail.
During these last two winters (due mainly to the drafty windows) the house seemed to be very cold and we had to adjust the heating accordingly. Subsequently we encountered exceptionally large utility bills. We researched purchasing replacement panels for the missing secondary glazing however this was beyond our means.
However in attempting to find a solution we have noted that both our neighbours (also tenants of of our landlord) have the provisions for wood burning fires in their properties and hope we can be allowed the same. On researching the matter we note this could be a partial solution to the problem and also allows us to reduce our carbon emissions as well as the excessive heating bills.
We have approached a local retailer who is happy to fit and maintain multi-fuel stove in the large recessed kitchen fireplace at our expense. (Regrettably new government legislation states the fireplace in the living room is not adequate and if the fitter was to install a fire in this room he would have to break the arched back panel which would invariably crack the glazed tiles on the hearth suround, which is a shame as this is the most affected room)
If the landlord is in agreement we will give the go ahead to the fitter, who In accordance with current legislation is Hetas registered and will complete the certification on the completion of the installation which we will happily provide to you with. I can also provide you details of the full schedule of works and model of the fire we are considering, if required.
If we looked to leave the property in the future we will ensure that stove will be removed and the area returned to the condition prior to insertion of the fire unless otherwise agreed between ourselves. If you could assure the landlord that we would take the utmost care of his property while undertaking these works and carry out all the maintenance required.
The landlord should note that the government is presently offering grants under the low carbon buildings initiative to homeowners who have fires fitted and reimburse a sum for the fitting costs. Please see http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/how/householders/ he may be able to claim for such a grant.
I have been trying to write a letter to my landlord for most of this evening and it just does not seem to be coming our right.. could you have a 'look see' and make some suggestions? (sorry it is long as i really really want the go-ahead)
Please note back ground info - The cottage we reside in belongs to a small ramshackle country estate and as such the homes rented out are all a touch 'down in the heel' but make up for it in slightly lower rental price, location and charm. Because of the general estate costs they really have little left over for maintenance and upkeep. The windows to which I refer to in the letter are leaded and bowed and i imagine would cost hundreds of thousands to replace on all the cottages. Secondary glazing was fitted at great expense however the previous tenants to us stole it (as well as utterly trashing the property)
anyhoo my begging letter.....
We were hoping you could liaise with the landlord on our behalf in relation to a further modification we would like to make to his property. We have undertaken works at the property previously and hope you agree we have improved and updated with care and attention to detail.
During these last two winters (due mainly to the drafty windows) the house seemed to be very cold and we had to adjust the heating accordingly. Subsequently we encountered exceptionally large utility bills. We researched purchasing replacement panels for the missing secondary glazing however this was beyond our means.
However in attempting to find a solution we have noted that both our neighbours (also tenants of of our landlord) have the provisions for wood burning fires in their properties and hope we can be allowed the same. On researching the matter we note this could be a partial solution to the problem and also allows us to reduce our carbon emissions as well as the excessive heating bills.
We have approached a local retailer who is happy to fit and maintain multi-fuel stove in the large recessed kitchen fireplace at our expense. (Regrettably new government legislation states the fireplace in the living room is not adequate and if the fitter was to install a fire in this room he would have to break the arched back panel which would invariably crack the glazed tiles on the hearth suround, which is a shame as this is the most affected room)
If the landlord is in agreement we will give the go ahead to the fitter, who In accordance with current legislation is Hetas registered and will complete the certification on the completion of the installation which we will happily provide to you with. I can also provide you details of the full schedule of works and model of the fire we are considering, if required.
If we looked to leave the property in the future we will ensure that stove will be removed and the area returned to the condition prior to insertion of the fire unless otherwise agreed between ourselves. If you could assure the landlord that we would take the utmost care of his property while undertaking these works and carry out all the maintenance required.
The landlord should note that the government is presently offering grants under the low carbon buildings initiative to homeowners who have fires fitted and reimburse a sum for the fitting costs. Please see http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/how/householders/ he may be able to claim for such a grant.
Please note I have a cognitive disability - as such my wording can be a bit off, muddled, misspelt or in some cases i can miss out some words totally...
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Comments
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Tygermoth, as a LL of a small country estate I would be delighted with this letter, and would have no hesitation in allowing you to go ahead with what is a major improvement, at your expense. If they say no, I would be amazed! What can be better then a wood burning stove! If there is concern about the tiles, perhaps see if there is a way of taking them off beforehand and preserving. You are the one upgrading their property.You sound like a lovely tenant and I hope they appreciate this. Just check there aren't any listing rules that need clearance beforehand.
"Life is difficult. Life is a series of problems. What makes life difficult is that the process of confronting and solving problems is a painful one." M Scott Peck. The Road Less Travelled.0 -
Hi there Geenie,
Thank you for the swift response!
My neighbour and long time resident who has a fire believes the properties though old are not yet at the stage of being listed. I would expect the LL/or the land agent (to whom the letter is to be written) to advise if the property is listed.... or is this down to me?
The Hetas bloke seemed to belive (and i concur) due to the style of construction of the living room hearth damage would be unavoidable. (though i am hoping they will come back and say we can anyway as the old fireplace is very very ugly... think pooh brown slightlly irridesent tiles. In all the other cottages these have been removed)
The kitchen has a very large recessed fire place where the wood range used to be (also flogged for cash by the previous tennants!) so would be a better fit although sadly not the coldest room.
Kind regards
TygermothPlease note I have a cognitive disability - as such my wording can be a bit off, muddled, misspelt or in some cases i can miss out some words totally...0 -
as a l andlord i would be delighted to get this letter. i would be negotiating with you to leave teh fire when you left, wiht some sort of joint payment. but then i am a softie.
re poor windows - the cheapest double glazing is cling film - seriously, its a beggar to put up, but once it is up - it keeps out ALL draughts from windows.0 -
as a l andlord i would be delighted to get this letter. i would be negotiating with you to leave teh fire when you left, wiht some sort of joint payment. but then i am a softie.
re poor windows - the cheapest double glazing is cling film - seriously, its a beggar to put up, but once it is up - it keeps out ALL draughts from windows.
Don't I know it! Have the said cling film on many of our windows at present and have beenimpressed for a few years. It works a treat, though cats jumping up tearing, and fluctuations in temperature make it sag and look pretty yuck at present. But secondary is on it's way hopefully!
"Life is difficult. Life is a series of problems. What makes life difficult is that the process of confronting and solving problems is a painful one." M Scott Peck. The Road Less Travelled.0 -
Hi clutton,
I have seen your previous posts and am quite aware you are a softy
We tried cling film... the gale through the window just popped it off or caused it to bow and snap. (Or it was sabotaged by the cat... not sure on that one)
This winter we resorted to an electric blanket draped over the couch with another blanket to snuggle under... sounds romantic... but it’s not trust me.
I am hovering between just living with the frostbite or getting the fire put in. I am very very reluctant to do too much to the property as in my last place we refitted the kitchen (at our cost as we had a long lease) and then the landlord decided as it improved the property he could up the rent!
(Edit to mention the last gas bill was £600 for the quarter!!)
Kind regards
TygerPlease note I have a cognitive disability - as such my wording can be a bit off, muddled, misspelt or in some cases i can miss out some words totally...0 -
Hi there Geenie,
Thank you for the swift response!
My neighbour and long time resident who has a fire believes the properties though old are not yet at the stage of being listed. I would expect the LL/or the land agent (to whom the letter is to be written) to advise if the property is listed.... or is this down to me?
The Hetas bloke seemed to belive (and i concur) due to the style of construction of the living room hearth damage would be unavoidable. (though i am hoping they will come back and say we can anyway as the old fireplace is very very ugly... think pooh brown slightlly irridesent tiles. In all the other cottages these have been removed)
The kitchen has a very large recessed fire place where the wood range used to be (also flogged for cash by the previous tennants!) so would be a better fit although sadly not the coldest room.
Kind regards
Tygermoth
If it has been done in other properties I don't think you have a worry. Let us know how you get on.
"Life is difficult. Life is a series of problems. What makes life difficult is that the process of confronting and solving problems is a painful one." M Scott Peck. The Road Less Travelled.0 -
I would be impressed with letter if i was your landlord0
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""the gale through the window just popped it off or caused it to bow and snap. (Or it was sabotaged by the cat... not sure on that one)""
i had cling film that bowed out into the room by several inches on one window which actually had a hole in the glass and which was on the top of a mountain - so lots of wind (so to speak)
i think the trick is in getting the seal absolutely perfect - i think it takes 4 arms to hold the cling film and a further arm to hold a hair dryer to seal it to itself - i dont know how successful it would be trying to attach it to stone mullion windows (if that is what you have - my imagination running riot here)
being cold is exhausting and not fun at all. my last house was so cold for the first 4 years before i could afford central heating that the loo-pan water froze overnight and i had to get a hair dryer to it in the mornings
you have my sympathies0 -
I thought i was hard done by because the water in the washing machine pipe froze solid.... lol
but you win hands down!Please note I have a cognitive disability - as such my wording can be a bit off, muddled, misspelt or in some cases i can miss out some words totally...0 -
If they were stone mullion windows, I'd be looking at creating a border of white blutack to stick the cling film to... or double sided sellotape.
But I'm an inventive peasant 0
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