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Chimney Cleaning - Landlord or Tenant

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  • 02-11-2010 11:28pm
    #1
    Jayjay80
    Registered Users Posts: 37 ✭


    Hi

    I began renting a house in April this year. Ever since i moved in soot has been falling down the chimney and spilling out onto the hearth and floor. I emailed by agent a while back to explain that as winter was approaching the chimney should probably be cleaned as i was afraid to light the fire in case id end up calling out the fire brigade! Anyway she has got back to me now saying that i should incur this cost myself. It is not clear from the lease but i feel that as i have never lit a fire it shouldnt be up to me to pay. Is this not a safety maintenance issue as with boiler maintenance etc?

    Please advise

    Thanks


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    #2
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,388 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    If you've never used it, you have no obligation to clean it. How much soot is coming out?

    You might write back and confirm that you are to get a chimney sweep and deduct it from the rent.

    Alternatively, you will be billing the landlord for the carpet cleaning / fire brigade call out.


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    #3
    Jayjay80
    Registered Users Posts: 37 ✭Jayjay80


    cheers, i emailed the agent when i got your reply to say that i would be claiming off the landlords insurance should i need to call the fire brigade as i had forewarned them of the problem. Thanks!


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    #4
    am i bovvered
    Registered Users Posts: 1,102 ✭✭✭am i bovvered


    As far as I know it is the Landlords responsibility to have the chimney cleaned at the start od the tenancy. It is the tenants responsibility to have it cleaned during there stay.


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    #5
    Jamar
    Registered Users Posts: 52 ✭✭Jamar


    Although it's a small risk - better to clean the chimney and argue over the bill, than light the fire. You have no idea when it was last used.


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    #6
    Cathmandooo
    Registered Users Posts: 17,324 ✭✭✭✭Cathmandooo


    Jamar wrote: »
    Although it's a small risk - better to clean the chimney and argue over the bill, than light the fire. You have no idea when it was last used.

    +1 for your own health and safety if you really want to light a fire go get it cleaned yourself.


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    #7
    pooch90
    Registered Users Posts: 2,380 ✭✭✭pooch90


    We've lived in rented houses with open fires for 4 years. See it as a maintenance issue and have always deducted it from the rent.


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    #8
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    If its never been done, I think the landlord should do it the first time.


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    #9
    magentas
    Registered Users Posts: 1,194 ✭✭✭magentas


    It is the landlords responsibility, no doubt about it.

    Don't light a fire until it's done though!


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