Gas safe/Boiler and tenant q

[cassa333]

This is a question on behalf of a friend.

I am a single mum of three in a rented house.

The boiler in my rented house went caput. I didn't to tell the lanlord for a week or so and then told them on a Friday evening about it.

It took them 5 days to get it fixed but I did manage to get them to give me £25 off my rent that month.

It is now cold and coming up to Xmas and it has gone again. Someone is coming this afternoon to look at it.

Also when they came to fix the boiler first time (I have been told it cost the LL £220) they were supposed to do a gas safety cert. They couldn't give one because I had lost one of the covers for the hob outlet. DO THEY HAVE TO REPLACE IT OR SHOULD I BE MADE TO PAY FOR IT? IF I DON'T GET ONE ARE THEY BREAKING THE LAW BY NOT HAVING THE CERT?

This week I am supposed to sign a new 6 month contract. I have told them that unless they get the boiler fixed I won't pay the rent but will pay it back at £25 extra a week from Jan. AM I ALLOWED TO DO THAT? and if not WHAT CAN THEY DO ABOUT IT?

Thanks

[woofgang]

well point one, if you personally lost the hob cover then its down to you to replace it.

[ummmm]

Regarding the rent I would say that you are not allowed to do that. Waiting 5 days for a gas engineer is not unreasonable. You would have probably have waited that amount of time if you owned the property.

The landlord has no control over how a boiler performs.

[bednobs]

agree i'm afraid. If the certificate is dependent on the hob cover, you either replace it yourself or ask the LL to replace it and you pay for it. they do need a certificate, and you start kicking up a fuss about it, they would be in their rights to get someone in to do it as an "emergency" and charge you for it (which is bound to be more)
You need to keep paying your rent, you can't just unilaterally decide not to pay it because you don't have a boiler. You carry on paying then negotiate a refund/discount if it warrants it. if you don't pay the agreed rent, they can evict you. If you are unhappy with this, don't re-sign and give the required notice then move out

[themas]

I agree with bednobs. Definitely do NOT stop paying the rent.

If you want to get further advice on this ring the Shelter advice line (see their website).

[sue11]

As a landlady I can confirm that by law all landlords are required to get a gas boiler serviced on an annual basis and must give a copy of the gas safety cert to their tenant. To refuse a gas safety cert for a missing hob cover is a poor excuse, the landlord should have ensured it's replacement and subsequently should have had the certificate given. I would as a matter of urgency request that the boiler is bought up to the legal standard and insist on a copy of the certificate being given to you. If your landlord refuses I would immediately seek further advice.
Regards
Sue