UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi all, despite being a 30 year old "man" i have no idea the legalities of this world, part ignorance... Day 26 of me in a new house, never missed a day rent, glowing references as i like to improve the location where i live. Since moving into this new property i have repainted, made the garden to a good standard! Changed 2 locks, repaired a door, replaced the shower with a new power shower as the previous one was from the 80s or so it's seemed! All communicated with my Landlord. How ever since moving in the boiler apart from 2 days want worked. Notified the LL within the day, he advised he would speak to the boiler suppliers as was under warranty! After a week of back n forth with my LL and the boiler company, eventually my LL asked me to communicate  directly with the boiler  a company i eventually got an engineer out he seemed to fix the problem, after 2 days it failed, the engineer came out and he noticed dodgy wiring from the guy that installed the thermostat, so i rang the LL asking g to get him out to fix it, after 2 weeks of me chasing my LL the only answer he gives is that the other guy isn't getting back to him. I am now coming up to my first month being over and still no heating. Luckily I'm a big lad with many a layers, but my partner is from Argentina and about the size of one of my legs, she feels the cold and have to walk around the house in three layers then a dressing gown to stay warm! What should i do next, i don't think it's fair, i would like some advice what next steps are?

Perhaps just ask the Landlord if you can call another electrician out. Decide beforehand of course whether you or he will foot the bill. You could suggest if he will as you already done so much/paid do much. Either way it sounds like a small job so shouldn't be too expensive. In any case would you want previous guy to turn up anyway again if he is incompetent and this might be worth bringing up with LL as well if he isn't keen on someone else at first. Now that you have put so much in you don't want to risk alienating LL over a small matter so proceed diplomatically in a measured way I would say. I would be cautious of overdoing any improvement work in future at cost to you (I know it should be the LL responsibility/cost but most do d*ck all) as it commits you to longer there without feeling like you're losing out, that and it give LL incentive to raise the rent at contract renewal.

I have heard tales in landlord folklore, of tenants who decorate and do repairs themselves,but assumed they were mythical creatures.If you and your other half ever think of moving to leafy Warwickshire let me know! I think you have earned the right to send a strongly worded letter to your landlord.Agree with Snowflake,your work ethic is admirable,but your LL may take advantage.

I am sorry to hear of your situation, you sound like an idea tenant. It is in no way acceptable to live without a functioning boiler for such an extensive period of time, I would look at getting some additional advice on this ASAP.

-Jeff