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Original poster

Multifuel stove in rental

46 replies

lotusbell · 23/02/2021 04:42

We're about to move in a week and this is the multifuel stove in the property. I'm not 100% i want to use it (cost, storage, faff, health) but I'm also concerned that if we do, there is nothing in front of it to protect the carpet. Does it need some sort of tiling,slate or can I put a rug in front of it. The surround is also pretty ugly Grin
No idea when it comes to these burners, OH thinks he does but I'm not convinced.

Multifuel stove in rental
OP posts:
HollyBollyBooBoo · 23/02/2021 04:54

I'd definitely put a rug in front of it that you wouldn't mind if it got soot on, crazy there isn't a better hearth there.

There's nothing better than a fire though so I'd definitely be using it.

Double check the chimney's been swept recently though, I lit a fire in a rental property and a crows nest had fallen down the chimney - we got smoked out!!

Gubanc · 23/02/2021 06:15

That seems completely illegal. From what I remember there has to be a 50cms non'-combustible area in front of it. And clearance for air flow around. I wouldn't use it at all.

Beebumble2 · 23/02/2021 08:00

Definitely illegally installed, firstly as there’s no hearth in front. No HETAS registered installer would do this, so it probably hasn’t got an installation certificate. Which in turn could mean that the flue is not properly installed either. There should also be a carbon monoxide detector in the room as well.

Original poster
lotusbell · 23/02/2021 08:04

Thank you for your replies. Annoyingly, when we first visited the property in November (there has been a huge delay in us moving in) I can't remember if there was anything there.i think there was some but very small. The photos from the ad didn't show the room from this angle. I did think there should be something there too.
We were told at the viewing we'd need to get it cleaned first if we were to use it.
I'm hoping there's a manual included!

OP posts:
Original poster
lotusbell · 23/02/2021 08:40

Thank you, these are the kind of replies I was hoping to get - from.people with way more knowledge than me! Will be asking questions when we get the keys on Monday. Not sure if the landlord had it put in or it was already in when he bought the house.

OP posts:
Brendabigbaps · 23/02/2021 08:45

You need something in front of it, otherwise the carpet will get filthy.
Legally I’m not sure it’s ok either.
We had one in a rental a few years back and the landlord had to do all the safety/sweeping etc as part of the safety of your tenant stuff.
I’d get more advice from a proper landlord advice service type place.

Original poster
lotusbell · 23/02/2021 08:53

That's interesting, I'll get that checked too as when we went to view it, we were told if we decided we wanted to use it, we'd need to get it swept, ie sort ourselves. Not sure when it was last used as the tenant who has only just vacated the property hasn't actually lived there for a while.

OP posts:
skeggycaggy · 23/02/2021 08:55

@Beebumble2

Definitely illegally installed, firstly as there’s no hearth in front. No HETAS registered installer would do this, so it probably hasn’t got an installation certificate. Which in turn could mean that the flue is not properly installed either. There should also be a carbon monoxide detector in the room as well.
How would this work with an ancient installation? Just interested. We used to rent a house with a solid fuel Rayburn in the kitchen.
Beebumble2 · 23/02/2021 09:02

We bought our house with an old wood burner. We knew the hearth was not legal to current day standards. When the chimney sweep (technician) came he refused to sweep it and condemned the stove as illegal.
We replaced it, and sold the old stove which could have been properly installed somewhere else.

Bluntness100 · 23/02/2021 09:09

It’s not necessarily illegally installed, it depends on how old it is. The regulations are not retrospective.

Bluntness100 · 23/02/2021 09:10

How would this work with an ancient installation

The regulations aren’t retrospective. I had some issues with our new installation and hetas resolved it, I asked about the second stove and that’s what they said.

changi · 23/02/2021 09:14

This is what should be there.

Just putting a rug down isn't going to make it safe.

Multifuel stove in rental
Gubanc · 23/02/2021 09:15

That doesn't look brand new to me. I wouldn't use it, OP. But in all cases - just ask a Hetas registered chimneysweep for advice.

changi · 23/02/2021 09:17

It’s not necessarily illegally installed, it depends on how old it is. The regulations are not retrospective

It would have to have been installed a very long time ago not to need a non combustible hearth in front of it.

Original poster
lotusbell · 23/02/2021 09:26

Thanks for that pic, just what I was after. I have tried finding out info but it was a bit overwhelming. I am going to check what paperwork there is for it when we get the keys and I was thinking if getting a professional out to look at it.
No idea when it was put in or last time it was used.
Thanks everyone who has taken the time to help.

OP posts:
Chumleymouse · 23/02/2021 09:34

Are you sure it’s not a gas one ?

changi · 23/02/2021 09:51

Sometimes the non-combustible hearth is still there in front of the fireplace but has just been carpeted over.

Beebumble2 · 23/02/2021 10:03

Just to add, apart from the hearth issue, there is too mush combustible material near the stove, ie the wood surrounds. This is also against the installation regulations. Please do get a HETAS inspection. Your Landlord could also face a heavy fine.

Soontobe60 · 23/02/2021 10:08

Surely the onus is on the letting agent to ensure any appliance in the property is safe? After all, would you expect to get a boiler serviced as son as you moved in to make it safe?
I’d be contacting therm and telling them you want a HETAS engineer out to verify its safety. If this isn’t done, you could find your house insurance is invalidated in the event of a fire. Just telling you not to use it is incorrect and downright dangerous!

changi · 23/02/2021 10:13

It isn't going to be dangerous if it isn't lit.

Original poster
lotusbell · 23/02/2021 10:22

@Soontobe60, I will be mentioning this when we get the keys. In all likelihood we will choose not to use it.

OP posts:
Original poster
lotusbell · 23/02/2021 10:23

Thanks @Soontobe60, will be having a read through of that.

OP posts:
Brokenrecord3006 · 23/02/2021 10:55

We have a wood burner in our rented house which we use every day through the winter as it's our only source of heat. We have a huge stone slab in front of ours and we also have a rug in front of that for extra protection of the carpet.

If you plan to use it you could ask a chimney sweep to come round and have a look. Ours is really knowledgable and, as a PP has said, will refuse to sweep it if it is illegal or unsafe. It sounds like your landlord isn't particularly clued up on it if they aren't reassuring you.

murbblurb · 23/02/2021 11:56

at the very least there must be a carbon monoxide detector supplied.

even if a hearth is added and the chimney checked and swept:

do you have space and energy to store dry wood outside?
Do you have children under 10 - if so you MUST have a secured fireguard.

what other heating does the property have?