I live in a flat thats Electric only and There are only 3 night storage heaters but only 1 of them works. My concract was "as seen/as in situ" with what everything was when I moved in, so my landlord essentially has no obligation to fix because I moved in WITH the problem. I moved in 2014 and electric back then was cheap enough for me to run a 425 wattage panel heater 24/7 during the winter and it kept my front room warm. But now It is 2024 and my while my monthly rent is still only £400, the cost of electric has sky rocketed, I know many ppl are struggling.
Are there any portable ones to buy? I do a search but they all seem fixed to a wall.
Should I get an electrician in to fix the broken ones?
What are the rules here? Is it me or landlord.
To think that your landlord has no obligations is complete and utter tosh!!!!
If you viewed a dwelling that had night storage heaters as the only source of heating, you would assume they were working.
You would NOT assume they were faulty.. { Quite a few years ago one of my daughters moved into a rented apartment, where the bathroom extractor fan was not working from Day 1, landlord had to fix it end of! }
It is Unreasonable to assume that tenants will thoroughly test every fixed appliance or accessory in a property they are unfamiliar with, and only had a brief time to view..
BUT it is reasonable to assume that a landlord should have checked every fixed appliance and accessory in a property they have a full working knowledge of, are ALL working correctly before they hand over the keys to a new tenant!!
Government guidance states:-
Maintenance
The landlord or letting agent should maintain any appliances and furniture they have supplied.
The above quote is from the Gov.Uk website..
https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...responsibilities-in-the-private-rented-sector
So... If they supplied the night storage heaters..
They MUST maintain them!!
All landlords have a responsibility to ensure that all key services, fixtures and fittings, especially those that are a fixed part of the dwelling, are working to provide a safe humane habitable environment. e.g. water, heating, sanitation, ventilation etc..
You have the right to take your Landlord to court under the Homes (Fitness for human habitation) Act 2018, if it is to cold..
e.g. have a read of point 2 from this Gov.Uk link:-
https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...s-homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018
(I have copied and pasted it fore you here
)
2. About the Homes Act: what does it mean for me?
What should my landlord be doing?
Your landlord must make sure that your home is ’fit for human habitation’, which means that it’s safe, healthy and free from things that could cause you or anyone else in your household serious harm. For example, if your house or flat is too cold and you can’t heat it, this can affect your health.
If you are a private tenant, you can find more information on your landlord’s other duties and responsibilities by having a look at our
How to rent’ guide. Your landlord or letting agent should have given this to you when you moved in.
I am no expert..
But as I read it, I think your first step should be to get in touch with the relevant local council dept, or maybe Citizens advice.. saying you think your landlord is not adhering to their legal duties to provide a safe and humane dwelling environment..
But whatever you do...
Do NOT start spending your money to fix problems that are their responsibility!!
Or.. just a random thought I have had..
Send a 'registered'/'signed for'/'tracked' hard copy printed/hand-written letter to your landlord, that you can have evidence of the date they received it.. saying something like..
{ Landlords Address }
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms {Landlords name}
From my previous contact with you I think you may be in breach of the "Homes fit for habitation act 2018" regarding the faulty night storage heaters that you supplied as part of my tenancy agreement. I assume you are well aware that you have a legal obligation to ensure there are suitable means to heat all habitable rooms in your property that I am renting from you, But as I have previously reported to you, Two of your Three supplied storage heaters do not work!!!
As a quick bit of searching on the Gov.UK website highlights numerous useful and relevant documents regarding landlords and tenants legal responsibilities and duties! I consider it perfectly reasonable for you to be able to arrange for a suitable competent person to either repair or replace the Two faulty heaters within 10 working days of receiving this letter... ( All competent landlords should have access to relevant contractors to undertake any and all types of essential urgent maintenance work if required, so I am sure you do also? )
If I have not heard back from you, or had the heaters fixed within 10 working days, I will assume that you are happy for me to resolve this problem, on your behalf, saving you the time contacting suitable electricians..?
And that you are happy for any expenses that I incur fixing your problems of not providing suitable heating can be deducted from my rental fees due to you, until I have been fully refunded for fixing faults at your property that are actually your legal responsibility?
As I am not normally in contact with various trades persons, it will probably take me longer to locate a suitable competent person to fix your heating problem.. Also as I lack suitable technical knowledge of typical repair costs for storage heaters, I would just search for an electrician who can replace the complete units with an equivalent item rather than attempt a repair that may fail again!
I will endeavour to fix the problem on your behalf within two months of you receiving this letter, if I have not heard back from you within 10 working days..
My legal & technical advisors suggest that like-for-like maintenance replacements do not actually require any form of electrical certificate.. But I should still have some form of printed invoice / receipt detailing works undertaken, From which I will be calculating my rental cost reductions..
Regards
Mr/Mrs/Ms unhappy tenant..
