Landlord Liability

[jackbauer2008]

This is my first post on here.

My problem relates to loss of central heating. I have had 2 losses since moving in on 1st december. The first one took them 7 days to fix and the 2nd one took them 8 days to fix.

In the interim period i had to buy a 2000 watt heater which they refunded the money for but this had to be kept on almost constantly just to warm the place up as obviously it was very cold in january and also its quite a large space to heat.

I have since received a £300 electricity bill for 8weeks usage. I have spoken to my landlords regarding some sort of reduction in rent to cover the fact that the bill is so high as i needed to use the heater constantly which ate the electric up. I requested 70-100 pound but they offered £25

My question is do i have any leverage here with regards to the time it took them to fix my central heating and also woth the fact my bill is so high due to the fact it took them so long.

Any help would be grateful.

[Steve__M]

A 2kW heater on for the 15 days that the CH was not working, 24 hours per day costs about 80 pounds in electricity.

(2kW x 24 hours x 15 days x 11 pence per unit).

Assuming that the central heating is gas, and that gas is about 1/3 of the cost (?) it's cost you an extra 50 pounds or so at most.

Assuming the meter reading is correct, the only other reason for such a high bill would be use of an immersion heater to heat water (unless you've got loads of consumer electrics).

If your hot water is normally gas, then you could reasonably argue that use of the immersion heater also cost you more.

I'll let other people judge what a reasonable time to call out an engineer should be.

[jackbauer2008]

so would it be reasonable enough for me to request at least the £50 that i spent using the 2kw heater for the duration of the 15 days? im not asking for the full bill but feel the bill was inflated due to the heater usage which i wouldnt have had to use if it was fixed within a reasonable time

[Steve__M]

Legally I doubt you have a case over a 25 pound difference between what you've been offered and what you will claim you spent. So it's a case of negotiation, and perhaps planning a move if you don't think the CH is adequately reliable.

I'd be putting my effort into working out how the heck I'm otherwise spending an 110 pounds per month on electricity (in addition to the heater)!

[jackbauer2008]

ha ha ha must be those giant mammoths trapped in ice that im trying to thaw out in the bath.

well ive asked them if they'd be kind enough to go to £50 on the basis that im sure they wouldnt expect to sit in their own homes for over 2 weeks and not have any heating.

ill keep you informed