My boiler <fascinating thread alert>

[EssentialHummus]

I rent out a house. The boiler there is old (20ish), and a terrible brand - plumbers groan when they see it. Cost little initially (apparently - I was in school when it was new) but with expensive parts. Heatline?

Every few months there's something else wrong - most recently it was £70 "to re-connect filling loop and re-pressurise boiler and re-set", but within a month the tenant got in touch to say she's having to re-pressurise the boiler weekly.

I can arrange another plumber visit, but is it worth it or would you bite the bullet and install a new (£1800, I've been quoted) boiler and be done with it?

I don't want the tenant stuck with a faulty boiler, I just can't figure out how big an issue this is and what the correct course of action is. And I want this sorted fully before the weather turns, for her sake.

70 quid to turn a tap and look at a gauge ? Outrageous. Why didnt he fix the leak?

New boilers dont last as long, but for a rental i think (as a nasty evil money grabbing ll) it is time for a replacement. You need to get a move on.

The answer seems to be worcester for boilers. Make sure you get an approved installer and max guarantee. System will also need flushing.

As a LL also I'd say life's too short to be faffing around with an old boiler. You might also end up with your tenant getting another property as faffing around must be driving him/her mad. Then you'll have a vacant property so weigh up losing one/two months rent in your calculations. £1800 sounds quite a lot though fir just a new boiler. I'd also be worried about h&s with such an old unit. Get another quote.

Thanks both. the £1800 was for a new boiler with service plan, installation, system flush.

I have followed up with the agent as to why their contractor didn't fix the leak to begin with, but yes, am leaning in the direction of a new boiler. I don't want that phone call the week before Christmas to say it's died.

Get the work done before it gets cold. Was the quote British Gas. They can often be more expensive than others. Go for a Worcester. Parts are available and plumbers like them. Makle sure a Gas Safe cert is thrown in. You need to get a new one if you have done major works.

thanks need - no, that quote was a local plumber who I've used before, and who seems fair in what he charges me. This is Kent. I was quoted £2000 for the same - new Worcester, system flush, installation - for my flat (London), so assumed £1800 was reasonable - isn't it?

That sounds reasonable what brand is the boiler?

Oh ffs sorry just noticed it's a Worcester! That sounds like a fair price if it's including a flush and installation!

The house we are in has just had a 15 yr old boiler replaced - at first it was having to be topped up weekly (like your tenant), and then it was three times a week, and then there was water pouring out of it (heat exchanger had sprung multiple leaks). The repairman had been several times and checked / replaced valves and reinflated the pressure vessel too.

20 years is pretty ancient for a boiler - and it will be expensive to run as well. Definitely time to replace (and your tenant will appreciate the lower gas bills).

We just had British Gas round to quote us for installing a new boiler and their quote was £2800 😩 £1800 sounds reasonable to me, and also like it'll be less hassle than the ongoing maintenance of the old one.

British Gas are notorious for being stupidly expensive. Best to get some quotes in from local plumbers if you can.

Agree with everyone else, just get it replaced. Tenant likely to leave at earliest opportunity as living with a dodgy boiler is no fun.