Renting is regarded as superior to buying owing to better-managed properties and the sharing of amenities. It has doubled in the last 20 years. While real estate ownership is a noteworthy investment, renting does have its advantages. Not only can you move each time your lease ends, but also you know exactly how much you’re going to spend on housing each month. The landlord is responsible for most repairs in the home, whether the wall, roof, foundation, guttering, or drains. If the boiler breaks down, the landlord is responsible for servicing it. Going cheap on improvements for a rental property is financial suicide. Nevertheless, landlords still make low-quality investments, in spite of the fact that they might possibly deal with maintenance issues.
When a boiler ceases to work, there’s no heating or hot water for that matter. More often than not, age is to blame. Corrosion and rust affect the internal components, which in turn leads to mechanical failure. Generally speaking, boilers are highly reliable. They can run efficiently for years at an end, provided they receive much-needed care and attention. While a boiler can break down at any time, it can cause issues during the winter, which can be explained by the long period of inactivity. No matter what happens, contact your landlord and politely ask them to carry out the necessary repairs. If it’s not coming back to life, don’t try to fix the boiler yourself.
Ask your landlord to make the repairs
The moment that damages or issues impact the unit’s livability, the landlord is obligated to manage the situation and carry out the necessary repairs at no cost to the tenant. A landlord can make you pay for the repairs only if it’s specified in the lease. Even if the situation calls for it and you’re willing to take up the challenge, you can’t make major repairs without the consent of the landlord. If the landlord refuses to repair the boiler, you can stop paying the rent or take legal action. Write to your landlord as soon as possible and let them know what’s happened. Put everything in writing and keep a copy of the communications.
You should give the landlord a reasonable amount of time, needless to say. A major problem like this takes time to solve, two weeks, to be more exact. Keep in mind that a broken boiler isn’t like a leaking tap. If you’ve got no heating or hot water, the landlord should look into boiler rentals. A portable unit can be installed within a couple of hours maximum. It can meet both short-term and long-term needs. Finding capital for a boiler purchase can be difficult, so, if the landlord doesn’t allow for it, renting is the only option. Yet again, if the landlord doesn’t want to do the repairs, take action. Gather evidence such as photos of the damage, texts, emails, or notes of the conversation, in addition to a copy of the tenancy agreement.
What are your responsibilities regarding repairs on the rental property?
Freedom may be one of the most important things in life, but there are no rights without responsibility. As a renter, you bear some responsibilities when it comes to repairs on the property. To be more precise, you have to maintain the provided facilities and equipment as they are. You have to take care of the place as if it were your own. As a tenant, you have a legal responsibility to report damages and request immediate repairs from the landlord. If the repairs are the direct result of your neglect or abuse, you’re liable for the bill. Find the quickest and most cost-effective way to get the problem solved.
What you need to keep in mind is that the landlord isn’t the only one with responsibilities to keep the house reasonably maintained. If a major issue is the result of you not keeping up your end of the bargain, you can’t expect the landlord to undertake the repairs, regardless of the item in question. What is more, you can’t withhold the rent to force the landlord to resolve the situation. Fulfilling your obligations makes you a virtuous tenant. When you move out, you’ll most surely receive a glowing reference. Additionally, you’ll be able to ask for a favor every now and then. Getting back on topic, a good tenant will always protect their investment by taking care of the property and making sure everything runs perfectly. It’s important to avoid problems.
Landlords should reduce the chances of dealing with repairs
You know how the saying goes: Prevention is better than cure. Your landlord should take preventative measures to make sure that you don’t run out of heat or hot water. Maintenance should be carried out on a regular basis. Most importantly, reliable contractors should be used as opposed to cheap services. You should have copies of the gas safety checks conducted at the property. Many are under the impression that they save a great deal of money by not carrying out the necessary checks. A qualified engineer will identify possible issues and make sure they’re operating safely. The landlord isn’t responsible for performing safety checks on your own gas appliances.
To put it simply, landlords should risk and liabilities. Anything can result in a lawsuit, so protection of the assets should be ensured. Repair work should be done in a timely manner and the landlord should check whether everything is going according to plan. You shouldn’t have to complain about issues. As a matter of fact, they shouldn’t even arise. If your landlord doesn’t want to make the repairs after you’ve notified them, you might want to consider other options. For instance, even if it’s not recommended, you can fix the boiler yourself and deduct the expense from the rent. Another thing you can do is convince other tenants to put pressure on the landlord. The likelihood is that you’re not the only one dealing with such issues. So, have a chat and see what you can do.
