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Original poster

Where is my boiler?

17 replies

nuffy · 03/07/2014 07:15

We rent out a flat that we have never lived in - I have only been in it twice very briefly. It's a new-build, not a conversion - I don't know what sort of heating it has.

The tenants have reported that the shower is running hot and cold which I think means the heat exchanger needs replacing, but before I book the job I would like the make and series of the boiler so they can at least try to bring the right parts.

The tenants have got back to me twice now to say they cannot find the boiler and can I just send someone out anyway. It just seems very weird!

OP posts:
Lagoonablue · 03/07/2014 07:17

Is it gas central heating? Maybe electric then, if no boiler. Think you need to go round.

LightastheBreeze · 03/07/2014 07:19

Do you know that the shower runs off the boiler. Ours is an electric shower that runs off the mains

Original poster
nuffy · 03/07/2014 07:28

Hm, interesting that the showers may be electric.

I just checked the gas safety cert and it gives the location of the boiler (kitchen cupboard) so that was a bit of a false alarm, and the make and model etc.

But now I'm wondering if it could be that the showers are electric, since it's only one that's malfunctioning, surely if it was the boiler it would be both?

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Original poster
nuffy · 03/07/2014 07:30

How would I tell if it was an electric shower? I have to ask the tenant by email.

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RoganJosh · 03/07/2014 07:32

There's often a pull cord to switch it on. You could also ask for the brand of the shower and a photo.

RoganJosh · 03/07/2014 07:33

Or rather, if it has a pull cord, it's electric.

LightastheBreeze · 03/07/2014 07:39

Yes, ours has a pull cord. I think that is the only way you would know if all the plumbing and wiring is hidden. Also it quite big with buttons to press whereas I think boiler fed ones are just pipes and the on and off taps

specialsubject · 03/07/2014 09:53

have to say that this lack of knowledge of the property is not compatible with being an efficient landlord!

your tenants are allowed to be a bit clueless but you are not. Please visit the place with an expert and learn about it.

PseudoBadger · 03/07/2014 09:59

Absolutely agree Special, this is terrible.

Original poster
nuffy · 03/07/2014 11:43

It's interesting that you think I'm inefficient - they reported the fault on Tuesday, I was in contact yesterday and today, trying to locate the boiler so that I could book an efficient repair by an approved company who would hopefully have the right part and taking advice locally from my boiler specialist on the likely cause and now I have booked a repair to suit their hours (evenings). How terrible, eh, tut tut

I may not have knowledge of the property but I can use my brain, take advice and resolve issues - it's not key-hole surgery you know.

Honestly, your sanctimony drains the life blood out of me. I suppose you've got some kind of bugbear with buy-to-let opportunists, have you?

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specialsubject · 03/07/2014 12:24

no, do calm down. You asked for help and there is no need for abuse if you don't like the answer. How very managerial....

I am a BTL landlord myself, and therefore the spawn of satan to many of mumsnet.

my point is that with this little knowledge of the property you are open to having to pay fortunes to tradesmen, who may (not will, but may) mess you about because they spot cluelessness. If you knew how the property was heated (!!!! did you buy it without this knowledge??), where everything was and so on you could spend a lot less time on this, and still look after your tenants. Time is money in business.

still, you clearly aren't up for advice you don't like so best of luck.

UnrelatedToElephants · 03/07/2014 12:46

Did you have an info pack when you bought? Is there a management company for the block?
Either of those will tell you about the heat (and the managing co will have recommended tradesmen too).

Original poster
nuffy · 03/07/2014 12:51

My tenants get excellent service and there's nothing that I personally could do from an inspection that would reduce my maintenance bills. Since I know nothing about gas, electrics, boilers etc. my time is more valuably deployed elsewhere.

Sorry if I was a bit sharp Blush

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Original poster
nuffy · 03/07/2014 13:04

Good idea about the info pack. There is a management company but they are incredibly slow to respond so I pretty much count them out.

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burnishedsilver · 03/07/2014 13:25

Our elecetric shower runs hot and cold when the head gets clogged with limescale. Removing the head, cleaning it and sticking a pin in the holes to clear the limescale usually fixes it. Failing that cleaning the fliter fixes it.

I think you need to send someone round there. We could be guessing all day as to what type of shower it is. If the boiler is the problem you'd expect all the taps to have the same problem.

Theres also the possiblity that theres an immersion water heater as well as the gas.

starfish4 · 04/07/2014 10:51

Ask your tenant if they hear the boiler fire up when they have a shower? If it does and there's no pull cord, then it's running off the boiler.

Also, the trip switches should be labelled for each circuit. In our old house, the electric shower had it's own circuit and was clearly labelled, so that may be another indication.

Original poster
nuffy · 04/07/2014 11:32

Thanks everyone, I'm sending the handyman round there to work out who we need to book to fix it.

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