Annoyed at HA. No heating

[TurboMam]

Yesterday my boiler broke.
Rang HA around 3pm. Guy came at 7.30 obviously in a massive rush. Asked if he wanted a brew, his words were 'Nooo need to get in and out so I can go home'
He fiddled about and the boiler fired up.
He was trying to leave before I could even ask what was wrong, he shouted something about Sparks as he ran to van.

Literally 5 mins later the same error started flashing up and boiler was dead again. No heat, no hot water.

I called the HA at 8pm. They said they would get someone out between 10pm and 6am.

So I slept on the couch so I didn't miss them. I was absolutely freezing.

No one turned up

It's snowed over night.

I have 4 children.

I've been trying to get through for an hour now.

I know they're busy and I'm grateful I can get help but it's literally freezing, we can see our breath inside the house!

I'm just venting.

I'm mostly annoyed that it waited till the coldest days of the year to break 😭😂😂

Which boiler and what error is it showing?

E133, gas line fault it says.

I've had kids dad round to look who is handy but he can't get it going either.

I can understand your frustration, but it isn't ha's fault. I'm in my own home and if my boiler broke I know I wouldn't be able to get it fixed immediately either. I don't think our plumber would even answer the phone until 8am the following morning.

Yeah i think your expectations are unrealistic tbh. My friend who owns her house has been waiting over a week without heating now. It’s the busiest time of year.

Sorry you’re cold though, that sucks.

I know you probably tried these but just in case.

www.urbanplumbers.co.uk/baxi-error-code-e133-ignition-lockout/

I remember being properly shocked when my pipe first froze😂 1am panic because I never heard of it before.

I'm more annoyed they said they would be here between 10 and 6 so I stayed downstairs rather than my room which is warmer but never showed.

I'm just venting at being cold and the bad luck of it breaking when snowy. I know I'm lucky to be able to get it sorted quickly in the grand scheme

I wish they would have just said we can't come till tomorrow. My couch is so uncomfy and I've not slept well at all 😂

Hope they turn up today OP. Being tired and cold is miserable.

People comparing it to owning their own homes are missing the point. Renters have lots of downsides (eg it cost more than a mortgage and far less security) but a couple of upsides (eg the landlord is responsible for repairs are there are timeframes they need to stick to). I’d be on to the HA again today, remind them that heating in December is an emergency repair and you have vulnerable people in the house (your DCs).

have you pressed the reset button?

@JemimaTiggywinkles Exactly, Renters are paying for those repairs with the rent, Buyers are paying to eventually have a house to pass down to kin Or sell for money back. Renters literally Pay for the upkeep of the house not being theyre responsibility.

our boiler broke two winters ago in December we couldn't get the part fit five weeks! We own our own home abs borrowed two oil radiators from a friend. Yes if you rent things should be fixed for free but you can't expect it to me instant. They will lend you heaters if you
ask.

OP is not unrealistic in expecting the heating and hot water to be sorted out ASAP.

In current conditions this is classed as an emergency repair and the HA has a legal obligation to get it fixed within 24hrs. If they can't fix it, e.g., they need to wait for parts, then they have to provide the OP with alternative heating and hot water such as plug in heaters. If this is not possible for whatever reason then they need to pay for OP to stay in temporary accommodation until the problem is resolved as it means her current property is not fit for habitation.

You should also know OP that if it is not repaired within two days or they haven't provided a means of heating and hot water then it is classed as a hazard to your health and you're legally entitled to compensation.

Yes if you rent things should be fixed for free but you can't expect it to me instant.

You can expect your landlord to meet their legal obligations. Which means ensuring that heating is fixed as an emergency (within 24 hours) in December, or an alternative means of heating is provided. And nothing is being fixed for free. Renters pay for repairs in instalments via their rent.

i am sorry op that is annoying.
when they fix it, make sure they stay to make sure it is properly fixed.

You're being very demanding. They can't magic up a solution instantly.

My private tenant had no boiler for about ten days last month. I had someone out that day to see if it could be saved then responded to the letting agent straight away - asking for three quotes for a replacement boiler - when it wasn't. It took them over a week to get and send me the quotes, at which point I responded and paid for a new one within the hour, and had it booked in for the next available slot which was a couple of days later. I paid for heaters in the interim.

The tenant then unilaterally decided she didn't need to pay her rent - but that's another thread.

Is this true? How can you guarantee hot water back on without a fixed or new boiler (which can't always be arranged within 48 hours)? I think I got off quite lightly by giving my tenant a £100 discount on her rent after 10 days without.

Certainly not unrealistic when HAs have an emergency repairs system for exactly this sort of thing so that you can get emergency repairs done out of hours. They also usually supply emergency electric heaters til the boiler can be fixed so I'd be asking for one.

@roarfeckingroarr you are not an HA though, you are a private landlord

Have you got any standalone electric heaters? Maybe you should buy an oil-filled radiator, or even two, today if you can afford it as the cold is set to get worse.

Moss?

I'd love to know which part of the Housing Act this is in?

No you're not 😂

i have to press the reset button when my boiler plays up, i am not sure what MOSS means