heating broken,landlord says its my problem to fix

Stealthfins

Correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm a home owner since 2003 so haven't rented in a long time.

But I remember when anything maintenance wise went wrong the landlord was always responsible, including heating problems,grass cutting, hedge maintenance, shower washing machine etc

These were your old money old school descent landlords,who were professional selfless and had good communication skills.

I think a lot of these boom/bust landlord's are kicking their responsibility to the kirb and just taking as much money as they can.

Using the old excuse it would cost you more to seek legal advice etc to persue a case against them.

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PierreLeCake

The OP has a Gas Boiler which is n't working. The EA has tried to fob him off by saying its airlocked. The EA is not a plumber and has not examined the boiler. Its the Landlords responsibility to make sure the boiler is working correctly. Its debatable at this stage if the Landlord is even aware there is a problem as the EA has given the tenant the brush off. I would ring the EA and insist that he informs the Landlord there is an issue and you want a plumber to examine the boiler. If the boiler is not attended promptly , who knows if more serious damage will occur. If possible try and find out your Landlords details and contact them directly to let them know about the situation.

GreenFolder2

It's fairly clear that it is NOT the tenants responsibility to repair the heating system and its also very clear that properly functioning heating systems do not "airlock" at random like this.

Everything else is basically irrelevant.

EA is trying to fob the OP off.

professore

What amazes me is the clairvoyant ability of the EA to diagnose a heating system problem over the phone. It's the middle of winter - the OP is paying top dollar for a working heating system. You would think at the very least they would talk the OP through some diagnostics and if that didn't work send someone out AS A MINIMUM.

And for those telling the OP to leave the heating on even when not there, I take it the LL should pay for the extra heating bills - since it's his rubbish heating system that requires this?

Who is responsible if the OP gets sick due to non working heating?

Gas boilers NEED to be serviced ideally every year, but at least once every 2 years. I know, I've got one in my house. If you don't, they give problems.

Jeju

Talk to the EA and get the contacts email address, email the details of the problem, ie the boiler is not working and requires a solution, one your not qualified to do. Request an emailed reply as matter of urgency. If they refuse this request to speak to their manager or someone higher up. If they refuse get onto the landlord direct. An an accidental LL myself any issues regarding Heating, water electric is taken care of ASAP and that means me going over to investigate as soon as I can.

spaceHopper

OP it happend to us when we were renting, the LL send over a plumber who fixed it in less than five minutes, he operates a valve that either topped up the system or let air out, I've no idea which. If I'd been told how to do it I've have hand no issue fixing it myself. Go back to the agent tell them to sort it or you'll be making a complaint to the RTB.

Gazzmonkey

Left mine off for 8 days whilst we went home for Christmas

Came back, fired up the boiler & re-lit the AGA.. no issues what so ever

During the summer we leave all off for about 8 weeks... still no issues when its time to start using heating again.

Your system shouldn't be airlocked after been off for a few days

pwurple

This is ridiculous. There's no question whatsoever. It's the LL's responsibility. I'd have a frikken fit if I thought a tenant was fiddling about with a gas boiler they know nothing about in my property. The damage they could cause through messing doesn't bear thinking about.
They may have delegated that responsibility to a manager or estate agent, but if they are not showing up, get right back onto the landlord. 

Cutting grass is another thing altogether, do they vacuum your floor as well? That's way overboard, and I wouldn't want my landlord pottering around my garden once a week for a snoop. Provide mower, sure. Done.

Ms Doubtfire1

Had the same issue no more than 6 weeks back.LL responsibility all the way.Same goes for maintaining all the appliances.AND the yearly service. He plays hardball? tenancyboard. End of story.

the_syco

If the EA does get someone out, ask them for proof of being a registered gas installer, as at this stage I wouldn't trust them not to cut corners!