Old boiler advice / issues

[Drefsab]

Hi there I’m a tenant and after advice before trying to tackle what I think is an issue with my land lord.

I’ve been in the property about 9 years now and despite numerous requests he’s not had the boiler tested, he’s said it has been but no one has been the the home to check it.

It’s a really old Glow worm space saver mk 2, I don’t even have hot running water unless the heating is on.

My concerns other than the obvious lack of safety checks is the age of the unit and the fact it’s highly inefficient. Add to that most of the rads in the house leak or only get luke warm etc In an ideal situation I’d hope the unit would be replaced with a new boiler that I know is safe and then tested regularly.

I’m wondering if I should pay myself to get someone out to test it and hope it should be condemned so I can force the issue?

I let the issue rest with just reminders every 6 months but now he’s want to put the rent up by 50% to bring it in line with local values I’m not happy to pay market rate with sub standard/possibly unsafe heating etc.

My worry before was that it’s going to be a big job and i I forced the issue he would put my rent up but if he’s doing that anyway I don’t have anything to loose by forcing the issue.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I would ask for the gas safety certificate for the last time it was tested

 

[Drefsab]

I’ve been asking for that for over 8 years now and not had it produced.I strongly believe he hasn’t had it tested in quite some time longer than I’ve lived here.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Get in contact with gas safe and hse as it’s mandatory and they will put pressure on him

 

[SimonG]

Environmental health at local council will enforce it. You should get copies of the landlords gas safety certificate.

 

[Scott_D]

Do you talk directly with the landlord or through an letting agent?

 

[snowhead]

Has the property had an electrical inspection during your tenancy or recently?
As with Gas inspections, Electrical are now mandatory for rented property form April 2021.

Report both to Local Authoritity

And the Landlord can't put the rent up by 50% in one go, they should have been increasing it over the years by smaller amounts.

 

[SimonG]

Has the property had an electrical inspection during your tenancy or recently?
As with Gas inspections, Electrical are now mandatory for rented property form April 2021.

Report both to Local Authoritity

And the Landlord can't put the rent up by 50% in one go, they should have been increasing it over the years by smaller amounts.

Definitely report to Environmental Health at council.

Rent increases can be any amount, unless mandated in original tenancy agreement.
Although the rent increase has to be issued on a section 13 and if you dont agree you can take it to a fair rent tribunal. You continue to pay old rent amount until the tribunal adjudicates. If you pay the new rent amount then it is classed as you accepting the increase

 

[Drefsab]

He’s never had any one look at the gas or electrics since we have been hear. I know there’s an electrical issue on the extension there’s high earth impedance I’ve spoken to him about it before (directly) and repeatedly he reply’s with I’ll get it look at and then doesn’t. I wasn’t forcing the issues out of worry’s about the rent increase well now that’s happened anyway I can at least insist that the property is safe.

Thing is we don’t every ask for much we do almost all maintenance our selves apart from gas and electricity.