compensation for no heating or hot water for 2 weeks in winter?

[Aps]

Hi, the boiler packed up last Sunday night. I acted immediately and got an electrician to check it out on Monday, plumber to check on Tuesday AND the boiler manufacturer went today. The tenants have been wothout heating and hot water for 1 week and it will take probably another week to receive the new parts and get them fitted/OR replace the boiler. whatever is first. The tenant is asking for compenastion, or to be put up in a hotel as she has 3 children and no hot water or heating. As a landlord am I obliged to offer compenastion? I acted as quickly as I could and surely even a home owner would have had to wait a similar amount of time. I cannot help the time it takes for the plumber to agree to a date to install a new boiler or the manufacturere to check it out and send the parts. Any ideas if I am obliged to offer compensation?

[theartfullodger]

A prudent landlord would, IMHO, immediately offer a rent reduction as soon as heating or hot water failed. Fairly cheap, takes a lot of the sting out. Doesn't always work but a cheap option.

(The don't start from here answer)

[Neelix]

Is there no immersion tank in the property?

[DoricPixie]

You just have to carry out the repair in a reasonable time frame and it certainly seems as if you acted as quickly as you could. Legally the tenant is entitled to diddly squat in terms of compensation from what you've described. Presumably she has a kettle so could boil it to get hot water and flannel wash at a sink the same as she would have to do if she were an owner-occupier and it took two weeks for a gas safety engineer to fix/replace a boiler.

[davetg]

Have you offered to supply some electric fan heaters - about £20 each

[Aps]

Is there no immersion tank in the property?

Hi, no, no immersion heater. Just the boiler.

[Aps]

You just have to carry out the repair in a reasonable time frame and it certainly seems as if you acted as quickly as you could. Legally the tenant is entitled to diddly squat in terms of compensation from what you've described. Presumably she has a kettle so could boil it to get hot water and flannel wash at a sink the same as she would have to do if she were an owner-occupier and it took two weeks for a gas safety engineer to fix/replace a boiler.

Exactly, that's what I think. Even a home owner would have to wait. Why should tenants be any different? I have done everything possible as quickly as possible.

[Aps]

Have you offered to supply some electric fan heaters - about £20 each

Going to do that now. They have some but Im going to order some more now. Thanks

[DoricPixie]

Exactly, that's what I think. Even a home owner would have to wait. Why should tenants be any different? I have done everything possible as quickly as possible.

I guess you'd need to weigh up her legal entitlement to zero versus her as a tenant. For example, a long standing tenant who was relatively unproblematic I might offer something to keep the relationship cordial. If on the other hand the tenant is a pain in the backside I might be more inclined to tell her to jog on.

[Neelix]

A decent LL would be flexible . No heating or hot water for 2 weeks?

that’s bad

[Neelix]

Exactly, that's what I think. Even a home owner would have to wait. Why should tenants be any different? I have done everything possible as quickly as possible.

so if you didn’t have heating or hot water for 2 weeks, what would you do?

[Aps]

so if you didn’t have heating or hot water for 2 weeks, what would you do?

It happened to me as a tenant for 1 month. I used the kettle and electric heaters and accepted it wasn't the landlord's fault.

[jpkeates]

It's the landlord's responsibility to provide heating and hot water.
It's not the landlord's fault if something breaks.

But there's a world of difference between responsibility and fault.

Heaters are a reasonable replacement for heat, but hot water is more difficult - particularly with children.
I think a fortnight is reasonable, it's winter and engineers are busy.

I'd be tempted to offer something off the rent or to pay for a hotel room for a night a week, so everyone can have a shower or a bath.

[boletus]

I think a fortnight is reasonable, it's winter and engineers are busy.

Can this be pinned and two or three of the more obscure stickies be removed?

[Hudson01]

I cannot see how a cash sum from the LL will help her children get a hot bath or wash their hands with hot water......but that aside, the real issue is the lack of a water storage tank, with just a combi boiler if this happens again the tenant will be in the same position. I would provide the extra heaters and say you are doing all you can and to boil kettles for hot water in the sinks for any cups etc, in terms of baths/showers it maybe a trip to the local pool or the charity of friends.