Renting out a house with a real open fire

[Chillisauce]

What do you do?

1. leave a fire guard in case they use it?
   
   
2. take the fire guard with you in the hope it deters tennents from using it?.
   
   
3. Do I ask the letting agent to ask all new tennents if they intend to use it? If they do I'll have to ensure the chimneys swept.
   
   I'm just wondered if I'll get a tennent who had no idea how to use a real open coal/wood fire you see.
   
   WWYD?

[chockbic]

I would block it off else you'll have to be responsible for chimney sweeping.

[queensansastark]

Our house which we have been letting out for the last 4 years has a real fire, never had a fire guard, but the fire dog was truly knackered and frankly dangerous so we just removed it which meant that either the tenants end up not using it or they had to buy a new one in order to use the fire. Our tenants just bought a new one.

I didn't really worry whether they know how to use a real fire...maybe I should have done, but issues so far.

[queensansastark]

but no issues so far.

[Missteacake]

The environmental health department and local council have advised me tenants are responsible for chimney sweeping so I would do it once now then it's the tenants job.

Make sure you have good landlord fire insurance though

[specialsubject]

is your chimney lining ok? is the fire actually usable?

TBH I would block it off and put a clause in big letters in the tenancy saying 'fireplace not usable, do not use'. And ensure the heating works properly.

[OldLadyKnowsSomething]

The house I rent has two real, open fires, one in the livingroom and one in the room we use as our bedroom. We are responsible for cleaning the chimneys, and have replaced the grate in the livingroom several times over the years (they just don't last these days. :( ). I would be very annoyed if my ll closed off the livingroom fire as it's in use at least 9 months of the year and the room would be unusably cold without it. I cannot afford to put the central heating on that much of the time (oil-fired) so I'd have to move out.

[specialsubject]

oil-fired is only a tiny amount more expensive to run than any other form of heating - IF the boiler isn't decades old. Open fires (as opposed to logburners) are extremely inefficient.

OP - if your tenants have experience with fires then it is a possible, subject to my previous caveats. In your position I'd rather give them decent heating. Your tenant may not be as competent as oldlady.

[PetiteRaleuse]

I'm a tenant and our house has an open fireplace. We are responsible for getting it swept every year otherwise we are no longer insured if damage is done by it (abroad).

If it is a working fireplace why would you be worried about tenants using it?

[BananaPie]

I'm a tenant. I'm not an idiot! We use our open fire with the fire guard, and get the chimney swept...

[OldLadyKnowsSomething]

It's true I've had solid fuel heating in every home I've lived in since 1987 (even had a solid-fuel Rayburn in one, that was fun...) but, although I agree it's inefficient, the open fire in my livingroom is essential. Why would I heat the whole house all day when I'm only using one room? (It's a big house, with high ceilings, and draughty - it's an old farmhouse) The alternative would be my mobile gas heater, and that can cause problems with damp.

Using an open fire isn't rocket science, and helps with ventilation.

[specialsubject]

no, it isn't rocket science, and most tenants are not idiots and are perfectly capable.

the concern is if the OP gets the small group who do not fall into this category.

[Chillisauce]

Thanks for the feedback, just to confirm I was not suggesting that tennents are idiots!

I've just read on here things like people not realising they need to open windows and not dry washing on radiators, so when they have gone back to check their property it's full of mould, not everyone knows how to look after a house so may not think to get the chimney swept.

The heating is very good so that's a good thing. We have used the open fire so it all works ok.

I may simply ask the tennents if they wish to use the fire let me know, that way I can just get it swept, it's only £30.

Thanks.

[Chillisauce]

Oh and I'll give you the funny example of why I was a little concerned.

My friend and her husband bought a house with an open fire. The husband had never used one before. He put a huge long chunk of wood on it sort of poking out into the living room thinking it would 'burn down' can you see where I'm going with this, of cause the whole thing set on fire and she had a sort of flame thrower in the middle of her living room! Needless to say my friend was not impressed with his fire building skills

[OldLadyKnowsSomething]

Perhaps you could write a sort of "handbook" for the fire, in case your tenants are inexperienced? Just as you'd leave the instruction booklets for the cooker/boiler/whatever. Point out that anthracite burns hotter than coal, and that wood leaves a sticky residue in the chimney, that sort of thing; even how to start it!

[Chillisauce]

That's a good idea! I'll do that and give it to the agent to give to them so I'm not involved.

Thanks.