Landlords obligations re. heating- my friend is pregnant and has 4 other children , no heating/ hot water for last 2 weeks !!

[colette]

My friend has a privately rented flat through a letting agent, and has had no heating or hot water for the past 2 weeks.Landlady is not happy with the boiler repair men that have already been out , I suspect this is because they are suggesting an expensive repair/ replacement Today landlady said she wanted another opinion/ quote...
Letting agents haven't been much use just passing on messages

Can't believe she can do this, so am trying to find out friend's legal rights eg. how long is reasonable to wait ? what alternative heating should the landlady offer ? If friend has boiler fixed ( don't think she can afford to ! ) will she recompensed ?
Friend is not overly confident on the phone ( English is not her native tongue ) so I want to give her her exact rights to quote iykwim.

we are in Scotland and it's freezing, kids are ill , friend is shaking with cold

[nancerama]

I recommend calling Shelter. They will be able to let you know your friend's rights and her landlord's obligations.

[fubbsy]

I suggest you/she contact Shelter on 0808 800 4444

[colette]

Thanks fubbsy am looking at the website now