Try to imagine the following situation – you’re in your home, minding your own business when suddenly something goes wrong. The boiler breaks down. It refuses to fire up, even if outside it’s freezing cold, leaving you without heat and hot water when you need them the most. You know the boiler has to be fixed. If you live in a rented property, it’s not your responsibility to sort this problem out. Or is it? If you’d like to find out, please continue reading.
The landlord is responsible for fixing a faulty boiler
The landlord has several responsibilities concerning the utilities of the property. Therefore, if the boiler malfunctions, they are obligated to organize the repairs and hire a heating engineer. The landlord has to repair or replace the broken boiler and ensure the tenant has constant access to heating and hot water. Attention needs to be paid to the fact that the repairs ought to be carried out in a reasonable time – 24 hours, to be more exact. The landlord is responsible for the faulty boiler and they must make sure to keep up with maintenance to prevent safety issues.
A dangerous boiler can kill. What is more, boilers are subject to mandatory annual checkups because they produce carbon monoxide. The annual safety check is undertaken by a professional and it’s necessary to make copies of the checkups, which are offered to the tenants at the beginning of the tenancy. If anything goes wrong, don’t attempt to solve the problem yourself. Not only can it be dangerous but also it will void the boiler’s warranty. Keep in mind that you have the right to certain repairs on the property. The boiler is your landlord’s or your letting agent’s responsibility.
As mentioned earlier, the boiler repair is to be taken care of right away. If the issue can’t be solved in 24 hours, the landlord has no choice but to rent a boiler so that the tenant enjoys heating and hot water. Certain situations impose the rental of a temporary boiler during the winter months. An emergency situation, such as the one we’ve presented above, is the perfect example. Boiler rental companies offer a helping hand during emergency shutdowns, immediately offering a replacement that is shipped in less than 48 hours. If the landlord absolutely refuses to fix your heating, you can call the police and invite them to visit your home. Additionally, if you decide to pay for the repair work out of your own pocket, keep the receipt and get reimbursed.
If you’ve purposely damaged the boiler, that’s a different story
Tenants too have responsibilities when it comes to damage and repairs arising from their negligence. You must notify the landlord that there is a problem as soon as possible and use a specialized agency to handle things. If you’re not getting sufficient hot water or the boiler is making strange noises, it needs to be looked at by a professional. The landlord is responsible for repairing and servicing the boiler. The tenant, on the other hand, is responsible for maintaining the system in good working condition. To put it simply, you ought to turn on the boiler only when necessary and make efforts not to waste fuel.
It’s not uncommon for heating appliances to get damaged. If the problem can be traced down to the tenant, the landlord had the right to evict them. It makes no difference if it’s the middle of the winter, although this course of action might seem cruel. The fact of the matter is that a tenant can be asked to vacate the premises at any given time during the year provided that the landlord follows the appropriate steps. The tenancy agreement clearly stipulates the rights and obligations of each party and it’s paramount to respect the agreement. The tenant is expected to look after the property and report issues as they arise. It’s necessary to forward any information that might be of help.
What to do if your boiler breaks down in the middle of winter
Winter is finally here and we’re actively witnessing the effects of low temperatures. Boilers are more easily damaged by the cold, unfortunately, so you can expect problems during the long winter months. It’s necessary to take precautions as far as the boiler installation is concerned. To avoid the malfunctioning of the boiler in the rental accommodation, the landlord needs to insulate the water pipes, ensure fuel flows adequately, and drain the water that’s not in use. At times, regardless of how careful you are, problems can still occur. It’s always necessary to seek professional assistance for boiler repairs.
What can you do, as a tenant? Well, start by layering up. Until the boiler repair is finalized, it will be freezing cold in the home. The landlord will discuss with a boiler rental company and get a replacement, but it might take time, as companies of this kind are often busy, although they’re prompt to help. A hat and a warm pair of socks will keep you comfortable. In the meantime, have a hot drink. It will warm you from the inside out. If you don’t fancy hot chocolate, try cranberry-apple vinegar. Make sure the windows are closed and cold air doesn’t get inside.
Rental boilers aren’t expensive, meaning that they don’t cost an arm and a leg. Your landlord will have to estimate their budget and have an idea about what type of boiler they can use. Rental boilers are available in various shapes and sizes, so it’s necessary to take accurate measurements, no matter if the boiler will be placed indoors or outdoors. The good news is that help is at hand and you won’t suffer in your home for too long. You won’t deal with freezing temperatures for a long time. The heating system is more efficient than the old one, needless to say.
All in all, you’ll find a way to cope during the transition. The best thing would be to have the old boiler replaced with a more efficient one and have it installed in the same location. But the decision is up to the landlord. As a tenant, you have no saying in this respect.
