Landlord not pulling his weight!

[Woody1983]

My heating broke on Saturday night. I have 2 children (aged 3 year and the other 10 months) I phoned my landlord last week to tell him the airing cupboard was making a noise, he came out and bled the radiators for the 2nd time in a few weeks! It was making noises about a month ago and he just bled the radiators (I think thats all he knows what to do if I'm being honest!) anyway, now I have not had heating for 2 days except for a gas fire in the lounge. I was told to wait in today for a plumber but I have had a phone call today to say, he might not make it today but my landlord will bring me a mobile oil filled radiator. Is he taking the right - can he just do this? I dnt know why he is waiting for a certain plumber - I think he should just use anyone! We are cold!!!!! Do I have any rights?

[bobs1975]

It's quite a common yet annoying art of landlords to make you wait for a fix to a boiler - usually because its expensive. Legally I don't know what rights you have within a certain period (the 2 days) but the landlord must provide you with all the necessities and it appears the landlord is doing that by providing the oil filled radiator. If you want to get tough on the landlord you can mention you are going to stay in a hotel and invoice the costs or take it out of the next rent. You can withhold the rent anyway as an inconvenience. But just remember you and the landlord have a professional relationship and if you intend on staying the property for some time upsetting the landlord may not do you any favours. Sorry I could not have been more help legally but I've been in the same situation as you and its no fun.

[Woody1983]

Thank you. I think I am being impatient really but I am just worried because of the children but hey ho, it will get sorted.... sooner rather than later I hope!!!

[proudmary]

Hi Woody, I understand you are frustrated but whatever you do, do not withold your rent this can quickly lead to eviction. Your landlord has to be given a reasonable time (I know define reasonable) to fix the boiler. Your Local Authority have a duty to ensure you are not living in unfit housing conditions, please contact the housing or environmental health dept and tell them what has happened, they should contact the landlord on your behalf, if this doesn't get him/her to do anything then the LA officer should visit and start to take formal action against the landlord. Hope this helps xx

[Woody1983]

Thank you. I was being impatient as it got fixed today! Heat - how you miss the little things in life! x