Regarding Gov't funded boiler replacement. Are they being unreasonable?

[TopShagger]

I think so. Just made an enquiry about getting a new boiler funded by the a government scheme, as I have several friends who have had this done, completely free of charge. My boiler is about ten years old and fairly shit. Been told I have to make an £800 contribution to cover the shortfall in funding.

GRIPE being - family further down the road (should mention this is a street) has had this done for free. It's the exact same type of house, as they were all built at the same time. If anything theirs is "better" than mine as it was once owned by a housing association so has had brand new double glazing, doors, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and other bits and bobs housing associations are required to do to bring them up to standard. My house has had NONE of the above because it was never owned by the H/A - it's always been privately owned and the landlord hasn't bothered with trivial things like "improvements"

So they've had their "old" (not very) system completely stripped out and replaced with a brand new boiler - for free. I have to pay £800.

I obviously challenged the lady on the phone about this and she was unable to answer why this is the case. Anyone else had a similar experience?

Then if it's the landlord's property surely it would be his circumstances which will determine how much contribution towards the boiler is to be made. Not certain this is the case of course. . I don't think it's quite as straightforward as you think. Perhaps the lady on the phone thought you were the owner of the property. I don't think you can just go replacing boilers at will on a rented property. There might be extra costs involved, a maintenance agreement and so on.

BUT, the LL needs to sort this out for you, and 10 years isn't very old for a boiler. in what way is it shit?

And the LL would quite rightly hit the roof if you installed a new boiler without his permission

Argh. Whatever else it is, it isn't a fucking "free boiler".

It's a "tax-payer funded" boiler, for those who are in need of assistance. Boilers do not grow on trees, ready to be plucked by plumbers.

google it:

If you receive the correct combination of income-related benefits, including tax credits, income support, ESA or JSA, then you could have your old boiler replaced with a brand new A-rated boiler for little, to no cost

As well as receiving the correct combination of benefits, your current gas, oil or LPG boiler must be at least over 5 years old. If it is less than 5 years old, the scheme makes an assumption that is is more cost effective to repair your old boiler, than it is to have it replaced on the scheme

Some of the benefits mean that you will qualify for a boiler grant automatically, with no other requirements. With some others you may need to have an extra qualifying component such as being responsible for a child under 16, be of a certain age etc.

The amount of funding you get is determined by the efficiency of your home, so an energy assessment will be carried out free of charge. In some instances a small contribution may be required.

There are many variables - go to www.boilergrants.org.uk/ and you can do a quick look

Hotel - As per my other post, my landlord does NOT profit from my rent (yes I do KNOW this for a fact) - plus he's in prison so approaching him for a new boiler isn't a road I can go down. Even if it were, I also KNOW he's skint. If I start moaning about a new boiler he would probably just sell up and I don't want to move. Bit of a case of letting sleeping dogs lie.

The government scheme is supposed to be about energy saving and carbon footprint etc, not "hmm I fancy a new boiler"

Freudian - the answer will always be in the lease. A modern standard short term private tenancy will always be the landlord's responsibility for something like a boiler, but you can get some that are different (e.g. I've seen a 5 year lease at an eye watering £35,000 a month where the tenant also had to fit bathrooms and a kitchen, to be pre approved by the landlord - it can be part of a commercial deal).

Go to the person down the road, and ask them if they'll kindly tell you who put their new boiler in.
Because there is energy company money to help those on low incomes to get a more energy efficient boiler, but the schemes are run by different companies, usually under contract from energy companies, and the details of each scheme can differ. Her scheme may have slightly different criteria from the one you've approached.

It doesn't have to be via the company you buy energy from.

The idea that led the Gov to set up these schemes is that we, as a country, need to use
less energy. People who are home a lot, such as low income parents of small or disabled children, disabled adults, low income elderly, are all people who need to use quite a lot of heating, and can't afford to replace broken boilers, or change to energy efficient ones. Providing a way for them to get an efficient boiler is a) humane, b) cuts the counties CO2 emissions, and c) helps lessen this countries dependence on imported energy, which is huge and potentially disastrous.

Definitely get LL permission.

If you go to the scheme website, you'll see that funding has been cut.

I've just had a super chatty guy on the phone, checking my eligability (cold call I suppose). I would have to stump £700 (of about 3.5k) for new A rated boiler all fitted etc. The criteria he stated was benefits (tax credits in our case) and house type/size then boiler age. Last time he called it was a 1k contribution.

It does seem unfair as to why two houses of the same type, both in reciept of benefits should get a different grant. However, he said their funding comes in waves, so sometimes they can offer more/less depending on the amount in their pot, at that time. So maybe they were lucky and got theirs done right when a new lot of funding went in.

I let him blether, I hope he gets paid extra for his call time when he doesn't get hung up on!

The LL does profit from your rent because it is paying off the mortgage on his asset. Once the mortgage is paid off he will own the house and can sell it on and realise his profit.

He doesn’t need to be making a profit from your rent over and above the mortgage payments for that to be the case.

A ‘free’ boiler on this scheme would presumably increase the value of his investment property.

Well you're probably onto a loser if you won't/can't get permission from your landlord anyway as this link says that you need written permission from your landlord anyway.

Whatever your private arrangements with your landlord are it's not the same as an owner putting in a new boiler. And there are safety checks and landlords certificates which need to be renewed every year AFAIK. Whether or not he profits from you rent isn't the issue here at all. It probably is a case of let sleeping dogs lie. What if once the gas people are in they find it needs new piping and other things. Who will be paying for that. I'd go carefully before embarking on this of your own back.

Dancing & Lonely - great posts from both of you. I've actually just messaged her to ask which scheme she was using because the one I've already approached was recommended by a different friend.

I know this is going to be hard for a lot of people to believe, but my landlord wouldn't give a shining shit if I had the boiler replaced - provided he doesn't have to pay a penny or be involved in any way. Like I said earlier - unusual rental situation!

To clarify, you want taxpayers to pay for a new boiler which will increase the value of your private landlords property? Something which, if it is actually needed (and not just because you want one) is HIS responsibility?

Do you realise how ridiculous you sound? Be mad at his lack of responsibility and not the government. Dear Lord.

what in the blue fuck are you rattling on about?

I think vandrew4 has hit the nail on the head, phone around OP.

I thought this scheme had finshed, good to know it hasn't.

I have just completed the form online and they have told me that I am not eligible because I don't claim benefits. They are phoning me to discuss what I could have - I will be interested to see if it is more or less than quotes I have received. But it was definitely the benefits which decided it.

Room - No, but I'm fully aware of how ridiculous YOU sound. All property is owned by SOMEONE - so rental properties should never have their value increased? Even when said increase in value ISN'T the goal of what's in question? The goal is reducing carbon emissions and burning less fuel as a NATION - it has nothing to do with putting smiles on landlords faces.

So, to clarify - you obviously havent read anyones posts and you have absolutely no idea what the boiler upgrade schemes (of which there are many) are even about.

Do you realise how ridiculous you sound? Be mad at his lack of responsibility and not the government. Dear Lord. I beg to differ, it's the other way around, the powers that be keep us all enslaved including you, you just can't see it though.

On one of the website I read that your income needs to be below £20,000 but claiming some sort of benefit too.

Vitalogy - Yes, I agree. Good post by Vandrew.

I know EXACTLY what you're talking about, and I think it is absolutely ridiculous that you expect the government to do your Landlords job. It is entitled as fuck. If people want to privately rent out their properties, they need to take responsibility for ALL aspects of private rent, and not just pocketing a cheque. And do not start with your bullshit about him not making a profit - HE IS GETTING A HOUSE PAID FOR HIM.

At this point its obvious your Landlord is a friend or relative. It is the only way you would a) know this much about his finances, b) be completely ok with his complete lack of responsibility and accountability and c) be pushing so hard for something you don't actually need.

I didn't know that Vita - but they didn't get as far as asking about my income as I didn't claim benefits anyway (it is below £20,000).

"The powers that be"???!!! Jesus. It's TAX PAYERS' MONEY. Damn right they should be ensuring it goes to the best possible places.

And I disagree vehemently that a private landlord who is having his mortgage paid for by someone else is a deserving cause!

@Vita I am not 'enslaved' because I paid for my own boiler - what are you even talking about? It is a FACT that upgrades, especially unnecessary ones, are the RESPONSIBILITY of the owner of the property. Why do we expect the government to pay for something if a private landlord will not? It is THEIR responsibility, not you or I as taxpayers.