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Original poster

Been asked if we could pay rent in advance so that landlord can replace boiler

44 replies

Pemba · 09/01/2017 18:49

Bit of an odd one!

We are renting a house, we have lived here five years, the house suits us fine and the location is very convenient. Also the rent has not been raised since we moved in.

Since October there have been problems with the gas boiler. It's very noisy and the downstairs radiators are not working (we are using electric heaters that we bought - dreading the next electricity bill). The whole system needs flushing apparently. It's a combi boiler and still OK for hot water. Other people looked at it and it was determined that it would actually be cheaper to replace the boiler.

The landlord asked for another quote, which he got before Christmas. He also apparently asked if the plumbers would allow him to pay on credit. Having heard nothing since before Christmas I got in touch a few days ago to be told I would be updated soon and things were looking positive.

Today I was a bit gobsmacked when the letting agent got in touch and suggested that one way forward would be for us to pay six months rent in advance, so that the landlord could use that to pay for it. I said I would think about it.

I suppose we could just about scrape the up the money, but this is a bit dodgy isn't it? Sounds like the landlord may be in trouble. On the other hand, it does suit us living here and the rent is cheap.

What does anyone think?

OP posts:

LifeBeginsNow · 10/01/2017 04:42

We got our new boiler on an interest free instalment plan. Could he not do this?

Original poster

Pemba · 10/01/2017 04:56

Could I ask where you got it from Life? Was it somewhere like British Gas?

OP posts:

CaroleService · 10/01/2017 07:51

If you like the house, could you maybe try to buy it from him? you might get a bargain if he is in trouble

specialsubject · 10/01/2017 10:13

Oh dear, the usual jealous blubbing. Sorry for working to buy a property. Silly me. Houses are affordable outside London. I take issue with guardian reading sheep.

Good luck . if you can be arsed to investigate your rights it may pay off.

OneWithTheForce · 10/01/2017 10:19

^predictable as ever.

If you don't have his home address you are legally within your rights to withold rent until it is provided.

Don't be so ridiculous!

MrsJayy · 10/01/2017 10:51

Would you be able to afford brittish gas to come in and look at it they have an offer on think its £99 for check and repair. Dont withhold rent that isnt the law.

LifeBeginsNow · 10/01/2017 13:09

Sorry for the late reply. It was a company called Hassle Free Boilers. I think they did a good job (it all works fine and is easy to use). Plus they bled all the radiators in the house!

PuntCuffin · 10/01/2017 13:30

One of my tenants pays 6 months in advance, but it goes to the agency and they pay us monthly in instalments. Tenant couldn't pass a credit reference and it was his request to do it this way as he had cash but an existing CCJ against him.

In your circumstances, I would not agree to it, not even 2-3 months in advance.

PidgeyfinderGeneral · 10/01/2017 13:42

They are nuts. I'm an LL and I wouldn't dream of asking that. One of my tenants did pay six months' rent upfront, but because he wouldn't have passed a credit check. When the boiler needed replacing, I paid for it myself. I'd be extremely concerned about a landlord who doesn't plan for contingencies like that and asks the tenant to lend them the money.

If you don't have his home address you are legally within your rights to withold rent until it is provided.

Along with the drivel recently spouted by people on here about how it's 'the law' that a tenant must be allowed a pet, this has got to be one of the stupidest things I've ever seen posted.

HeddaGabbler · 10/01/2017 13:46

specialsubject you seem to be talking to yourself.

Op sorry just coming back to this... As an agent we would have dropped someone from the books for something like this. We weren't short of clients though! Seriously this kind of thing is a massive ballache to agents; they don't want the tenants complaining all the time about work not being done & the landlord expecting miracles to be performed. Presumably seeing as he is a property owner he would be able to get a loan or even put the item on a credit card. It seems he can't be bothered is trying to get you to pay. If he's in such financial difficulty that he can't afford a couple of grand for a boiler or qualify for a loan then if I were you I would be looking for somewhere else to live.

Original poster

Pemba · 10/01/2017 15:50

Hedda thanks, that's what I meant - would you stop dealing with that landlord as obviously it's a pain for the agency, plus may reflect badly on them through no fault of their own. I see you would have dropped such a client.

I see SpecialSubject is burbling away about 'sheep' again in her usual predictable fashion. When did I say that all landlords were bastards? I didn't of course.

Anyway just spoke to a lawyer and I'm glad I did, as she told me (which everyone is saying on here) what a bad idea it would be to pay six months rent in advance. She also told me (which I hadn't realised) that it would also be a bad idea to pay for the boiler directly, as then I would be responsible for the contract with the plumber. I should get copies of the quotes apparently and if we decide to go ahead and pay advance rent to cover the costs, should make sure it's no more than 2 months (because that's how long our security of tenure is basically) and get everything in writing. She also advised me on other avenues to explore.

OP posts:

wowfudge · 10/01/2017 19:08

You did state the LL was fortunate to presumably own two properties OP. So you don't know that he owns two properties. He could renting himself for starters. He may also have worked hard at his business (being a LL is running a business, however a person comes to be in that position) to own one property and maybe more.

That aside, either you can afford to pay six months' rent upfront or you can't, then there is the issue of whether the LL is in financial difficulties and that could jeopardise you. There must be ways for him to sort a boiler out on credit of some description, but if he isn't working for whatever reason, the options may be limited.

Original poster

Pemba · 10/01/2017 19:27

Well I think it's a pretty safe guess that he owns at least two properties wowfudge. Since I am not allowed to know much about him. I realise there are some people who own a rental and yet don't own their own place, but that must be a very small group. Since I do know he lives in my local town, it seems unlikely for him.

I have sort of gathered the impression that he's retired, but not sure about this. Anyway like pps said, if he can't get together somehow the money for essential maintenance, that is cause for alarm.

Definitely won't be doing the six months thing, that's for sure. He is the one who should be running round thinking of solutions. He could always get a new boiler on an installment plan, like a pp mentioned.

OP posts:

Unicornsandrainbows3 · 10/01/2017 19:35

Don't pay a thing! It's up to him to find money for repairs, not you and I'm surprised the agency has even passed the request on to you. I'd be seriously looking at moving ASAP.

MoreProseccoNow · 10/01/2017 19:40

Just a thought: how much is the difference between your current rent & market value? Maybe the difference between the two levels would mean the LL could fund the boiler through increased rent? You also have to consider removal costs, agency fees & increased monthly rental costs if you end your tenancy & move.

Having said that, it does sound like he is having financial difficulties & has asked the agency to put the proposal to you out of desperation. I personally wouldn't do it.

Baylisiana · 10/01/2017 19:43

Thinking about it, I am afraid you are going to have to bite the bullet and move OP. I know it is a nightmare, but right now your landlord is obviously unprofessional and almost certainly trying it on....by asking for more up front than is needed to cover the boiler he is wanting an interest free loan from you! He doesn't have the money to fulfil his legal obligations in the event of any other maintenance issues arising. He cannot afford to be a landlord and should probably sell the property to improve his situation.

You clearly can't pay the money not knowing if the repair will really be done or how long you will be staying in the property, and frankly even if he could suddenly pay for it himself now his financial situation and the dodgy request would put me off remaining there. It sounds quite unstable and it might be better to move down before rents potentially rise even more.

Baylisiana · 10/01/2017 19:43

Sorry, move now not move down!

Original poster

Pemba · 10/01/2017 19:49

That makes sense Baylis

OP posts:

stonecircle · 12/01/2017 08:11

Was the request definitely from the landlord or a suggestion from the letting agency?

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