WWYD - my rights as tenant in this situation

[Gorgeous73]

We've been without a boiler for a week now (broke down last sunday). Since then LL has sent 3 different companies to have a look at boiler and they've all said it needs to be replaced. The last one was on Wednesday and I haven't heard from him since. I keep asking the real estate agents and they don't have more info than me (I'm not directly in touch with LL). We are now freezing and exhausted from using kettle to boil water for washes/showers etc (6 of us in the house).
I know that legally, my LL is required to deal with this "within a reasonable amount of time", so that's really vague and doesn't help.
So my question(s):
WWYD, as in would you ring and demand more info, or is one week still in the "reasonable amount of time"?
Would you ask for a discount on your rent this month?
I don't want to make a huge fuss as it's usually smooth riding with our LL but I'm getting a bit tired and wondering if he's stalling trying to find a cheap deal.
AIBU?

Happened to my tenant. Got a call Thursday night, I sent someone round on Friday and they had a new boiler fitted Monday. Not hard at all.

There is some TERRIBLE advice on this thread!

Do not withdraw rent or threaten to only pay part of the rent. You will then be in breach of contract.

The landlord has obtained 3 quotes - what exactly is wrong with that? It's what I did when the boiler in the house I let out started showing signs of needing replacing.

If I had received a threatening letter like the one a PP has advised I would not have renewed my tenants contract.

There's good advice about what to do in these circumstances on the Shelter website - withholding rent can only be done in very specific circumstances

Contact shelter -they’ll be able to advise on your rights

Even as a landlord and a tenant, it's dependent on getting someone out to do it. The boiler packed up on me in our rented property in Belgium last year. It took 4 days to get someone out, and we were paying for it as you have to do as a tenant in Belgium.

I was just glad it hadn't happened during the month the central heating firm shuts in the summer!!!

Don't withhold rent. I'm inclined to agree with other posters saying the LL is probably following up on the three quotes and it will take some time, but i understand its miserable.

If you really want to take further action you need to write to the LA formally logging the issue, mention the current timeline and keep a copy. If nothing is done you can write another, then ultimately you'd be looking to the council for support but they're unlikely to do anything without anything in writing.

No devise but I sympathise. My boiler broke last weekend and after two nights of no heat I was convinced I was on the way to hypothermia. My boiler has been cobbled together and a new one is on order, Company cannot install until next year as so busy!

Advice even!

The landlord has obtained 3 quotes - what exactly is wrong with that?

Well, nothing, provided that the LL has arranged for alternative, adequate means of heating and hot water (or alternative accommodation) while he/she is faffing with getting quotes. No great surprise that this comment came from a landlord!

Agree with others here that the best thing is to phone Shelter for advice. They are fantastic. Also, probably a dumb question, but ... do you have a hot water tank with a switch for an immersion heater? My boiler broke down recently and this enabled me at least to have hot water, even though no heating.

chickenowner if the LL received the last quote on Wednesday, I'd expect them to have a decided who to use and booked it by Friday AM at the latest, especially at this time of year.

This is an emergency repair after all.

Could be the LL doesn't have a spare couple of grand though. So many 'accidental' LL these days. Not the tenant's problem.

Hope you get it sorted soon OP.

Does your local council have a department that deals with dodgy LL's to get advice if you haven't heard from them by Monday?

This is why all LL's need to be licensed and regulated.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply.
Update: I've spent the day ringing the LA who in turn kept ringing the LL who didn't pick up his phone all day long. Eventually at around 5 I got a call from LA saying LL will send 2 electric heaters this evening and two more tomorrow, and that he will have boiler replaced on Wednesday.

I'm still waiting for the heaters. I've had to turn on my fan oven to get some sort of heat in the house as temperatures have dropped.
By the time the boiler is replaced, my electric bill will be massive so I will ask for a rent reduction/discount for this month. I will not withhold rent, I know this would be breach of contract.
For those who mentioned immersion, in our case it's in the boiler and that's dead too, so no hot water.

Could you take readings now (dated photo) and once it is sorted so that you can monitor the electricity used. That way you will have evidence for any negotiation.

MajorMam

Maybe it is booked! As a previous pp has said, this time of year is extremely busy for people who repair and fit boilers.

I was just pointing out that the op should absolutely not follow some of the terrible advice on this thread about not paying rent.

I've spent the day ringing the LA who in turn kept ringing the LL who didn't pick up his phone all day long. Eventually at around 5 I got a call

Maybe the landlord was at work and couldn't use his phone.

There's no need to assume that landlords are evil money grabbers who have no thought or care for their tenants. (Unless there is evidence for this of course - there is no evidence for this at the moment with this landlord).

Halogen heaters are great for hratong a room, not too much electric and cheap to buy. Def worth considering while sort it out

When my boiler died, the plumber I phoned was there the next day.i reckon he cancelled other jobs for the more lucrative one. Sorry, not sorry.

When the boiler in my rental house failed the safety certificate, I organised a plumber who gave me a date. Before he started work, we bought and took round 3 electric heaters. Because the plumber left quite a mess and the tenant has cleared up/repaired stuff~his choice, done before we could get round-we’re going to give him a full day’s workman rate of £250. I hope we’re being fair.

I’m very sorry for the OP, it’s the lack of communication that pisses me off in the situation and the lack of care when it must be freezing in a big house. Hope it’s sorted soon, OP.

Halogen heaters are great for hratong a room, not too much electric and cheap to buy. Def worth considering while sort it out

Trouble is, the tenant shouldn’t have to buy/pay for anything because it’s the ll’s responsibility.

Whatever you do, do not withold rent or do the work yourselves without taking proper legal advice.

^ this.

Those that are advising you should are giving really dodgy advice.

I'm glad you've at least got a date now OP. Renters rights are pretty rubbish unfortunately, sounds fair to ask for a reduction to cover the increased bill though. The suggestion to take meter readings is a good one.

Boiler fixes cannot be produced quickly at this time of year, whether you own or rent. That's real life. The landlord should however be communicating better.

My rental has an independent source of heat and of hot water in addition to the boiler. Same as my own house does. This means the tenant still has livable conditions while I try my best to get a fix. Check for this when viewing properties.

And buy a couple of cheap electric heaters, as anyone should.

Maybe the landlord was at work and couldn't use his phone.

Someone who is letting property to a tenant is 'at work'. They do actually have obligations to their tenants.

What tidy said.

Also, i will keep record of meter, good idea, thanks.

Sympathies OP, ours went two weeks ago and I had forgotten the horror of washing yourself with kettle water day in day out and putting on 10 sweaters and and a duvet as soon as you walk through the front door.

Hope LL makes it good on Wednesday.