Does anyone know much about a landlords obligations please? Or is that too boring a subject?

[Rhubarb]

Are they obliged to provide heating? I know they are obliged to repair heating and provide the set up for heating such as plug sockets for electrical heaters and so on, but with the introduction of the Housing Act 2004 does anyone know if this has changed so that the landlord has an obligation to provide heating?

Ta very much!

I don't believe they're obliged to.

At least, when we were renting out our property (until Jan this year) we didn't. The gas bill was down to the tenants.

Too boring a topic then! Ah well, I'll try contacting the CAB and see if they know.

Ah ha! Thank you!

I know the bills are obviously paid by the tenant, but does the landlord have to provide the heating equipment to heat the house, like radiators and so on?

try the shelter website rhubarb. they also have a freephone telephone number. In scotland a landlord is obliged to provide a source of heat - but that could be a single bar electric fire for a whole house. I am not certain of the english situtaion though.

I don't think so, but this should be reflected in the amount of rent you pay. If you have children and no heating though the authorities should arrange heating or a grant to cover it even in a rented property.

I have emailed a CAB office but I doubt I'll get time to visit one. I will try the freephone number tomorrow though. Thanks!

I know that if there is a gas fire in the house then the land lord has an obligation to have tested annually. have dealings with landlords about this through my job.

The limited amount of time I've spent with environmental health officers from local authorities would make me believe that there must be some sort of duty to provide heating - give the local council EHO a ring/email

I thought that they had to provide "adequate space and water heating" - i.e. room heating of some description & hot water.

The Decent Homes standard that came in recently applies to registered social landlords but I'm not sure about private landlords. They are allowed until 2012 to be fully compliant anyway so that probably doesn't help you.

This is a link to the Shelter website section on private tenancies & 'unfit' property. It doesn't seem specific on heating from the quick glance I just had but it has loads of advice & some contact details.

Good luck

my dh who is a property lawyer says there is an obligation to provide heating. He doesn't think the 2004 act changes anything. hth

Your landlord must provide the services which are reasonably required by you. These services include the supply of gas, electricity and water.

As the tenant you must pay for the fuel and water you use. You may pay the bill yourself, or the cost of fuel and water may be included in the rent and your landlord pays the fuel or water company?s bills.