Landlord not co-operating

[MrsSkint]

Hi guys

Can anyone help with this?

A friend of the family is having problems with her landlord. Basically she is paying for her gas on a weekly basis - or when she can afford to! with a gas key. She is paying between £40 - £50 per week for a small flat and is pretty careful with what she uses.

I asked my son, who is corgi registered to go have a look, and he reckons the boiler is very old and that it might be the boiler causing the problem. Anyway, she has been continually asking her landlord to have a look at it, and although he promises her that someone will be over soon, nobody has ever turned up. She's getting pretty peed off as you can guess but doesn't know where to turn to next.

Any advice? Many thanks.

[enaid]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

The landlord is obliged to have a gas check every 12 months and a report past to the tenant.
If this has not been done then maybe if she asks about it, it may just stir him up a bit.

[MrsSkint]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

Thanks Enaid I'll let her know. What can she do if he refuses or stalls?

[enaid]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

ok here are the rules, they must keep a record of the safety check for 2 years and issue a copy to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed and issue a copy to any new tenants before they move in.
If he refuses the check remind your landlord of their legal duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 . If your landlord still refuses to arrange servicing for the appliances they have provided contact your local HSE area office http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/maps/index.htm
I would also advise her to do all in writing from now on, paper trails are always best in any thing like this.

[MrsSkint]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

Many thanks Enaid, You're a star x

[charitynjw]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

Hi Mrs S,

Something to bear in mind is that the gas supplier can control (from their end) the quantity of gas which can be bought for the money paid on the key/card.
I would check exactly how much I was being charged for my gas!
It is difficult to give an 'average' bill, as different people control their central heating according to personal preferences (ie whether heating is on 24hrs a day, different ideas on required temperature, & even the system design has an impact on usage). It does seem excessive, though.
I would imagine that your son has 'rated' the existing boiler & checked with manufacturer's recommendations & it complies with same.

[charitynjw]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

This might help a little, though.

http://www.whatprice.co.uk/utilities/gas-bills.html

It would be useful to check the difference in meter readings over an extended period (say 1 'average' month) to use as a comparison.

[MrsSkint]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

Thanks v much C. Will let you know what the outcome is.

G xx

[charitynjw]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

Hi Mrs S,

It might also be worth looking at the boiler scrappage scheme

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/

(Improve the property's value for the landlord, cuts fuel bills for your friend & possibly a nice little earner for your son - minus your commission of course lol )

[charitynjw]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

Errrr....................Too late!!

http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...ad.php?t=21182

[MrsSkint]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

Enaid/Charitynjw you are little stars. My friend is getting a new boiler fitted this week after following your advice. She was never actually issued with a copy of the safety check when she moved in, so after speaking with the landlord and quoting him his legal duties to her he has given in. Will let you know when she gets it!
Thanks again! xxxx

[enaid]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

Well I am pleased and I do hope it solves the problem of her large bills, but it can't make them any worse I am sure.
The check HAS to be done every 12 month tell her to make sure it is and she gets a copy from now on. The check is for all her gas appliances supplied by yhe landord and not just the boiler.
Enaid x

[MrsSkint]

Re: Landlord not co-operating

Will do Enaid xx