UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello:

I am renting out a house that has a conservatory on the back of it. The latest tenants are complaining that they haven't been able the conservatory lately because it has been too cold. And they are shocked that they can't use it year round. The conservatory is about 20 years old. It has a radiator in it but whilst it has proper UPVC door and windows, it only has a thin plastic roof polycarbonate roof. The tenants are complaining about a small leak in the roof (which I have offered to fix) and that they can't turn the radiator off (because it doesn't have a thermostatic valve.) What are my legal duties?

They are saying that it is too cold,yet they want the radiator switched off? They took the property as seen,and few people want to sit in the conservatory all year round. You would be obliged to get the leak fixed certainly,but the complaint about the heating sounds a bit confused.

And thermostatic valves for radiators are dirt cheap... ideally nearly all radiators in a property should have one. This seems like a scenario where the Landlord is bothered about legal duties but has, maybe, lost sight of the fact the Tenants are the customer. You've offered to fix a leak? I find that notion interesting. Any leak in any property I have I want to know about so I can get straight on it. I'd not be making offers. I'd be advising this is happening... and at the same time get a new valve installed. Job done.

Thanks, your advice is very helpful and it is much appreciated. The tenant wants a thermostatic valve on the radiator so that it can be turned off in a conservatory that they can't use.

Does the radiator not have any kind of valve whatsoever on either the inlet or the outlet side? It's usually possible to turn them down/off by the lockshield valve. All you need is a spare head or a small spanner to fit the spindle. Ideally you'd leave it open just a little to protect against frost.

As Hippogriff says, TRVs cost buttons, but it would be a bit of a faff installing one in the middle of winter as it generally involves draining the whole system.

I am relatively confident... I believe I've seen it done... that it's possible to change a valve without draining down the system. I have nothing to back that up except my own memory...

Googling: https://www.bestheating.com/info/how-to-change-a-radiator-valve-without-draining-the-system/
And: https://www.toolstation.com/radiator-valve-change-kit/p31768 - reviews from Builder / Plumber types seem universally positive (when you've deciphered their particular low form of language).

But that's why we have professionals (and cowboys).

Have you changed your personal logo? What is this meant to be,part of a re-branding?