UK Landlord Forum / Life

I have a flat in a communal house along with other residents. All of these flats have central heating, so the management company is responsible for all the maintenance. A couple of months ago the boiler broke, so the management company is alternating between heating and hot water (when there is heating, there's no hot water, and vice versa) while they wait for the new boiler to come in and install it. Can my tenant demand rent reduction? I believe that I can decline this because I am not responsible for the maintenance of the whole building, and this is not my fault that it is taking time to fix the boiler. I understand that if it was my boiler, then it would've been my responsibility,

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

You will likely need to see this as a customer service issue.  The tenants not getting compensation is not justified just because the issue isn't your fault

Having limited heating and hot water is a major inconvenience and the tenants might feel they shouldn't pay full rent during this time.  Legally they might have little recourse.

So basically you need to decide if you want your tenants to be happy and if they are likely to be long term.  They're less likely to care about the house or want to do right by somebody whose attitude is "not my fault so don't really care."

I think you should definitely explain the situation to them and why it is not in your control to get the repair done more quickly.  Show empathy for their situation. Maybe offer a small rent reduction or compensation amount but showing they are dealing with a kind, caring landlord will likely help.