Tenant got a heat pump installed without consent

[Kimmers4334]

I am in two minds about this because it’s an upgrade to the property, but it’s a pretty significant and permanent thing that I’m now responsible for.

So as not to dripfeed, the tenant asked if they could have an appointment to see if the property would qualify for any upgrades. I agreed but was very clear that I’d want to see plans/recommendations before I agreed to having anything installed. I heard nothing further and then the letting agent sent me a certificate for work I know nothing about. There is a good chance I would’ve agreed to the heat pump, but that would depend on me having all the information. On principle I am pretty annoyed that the tenant, letting agent and installation company didn’t actually seek permission to go ahead at any point.
What would you do in this situation, complain to someone (letting agent? Installation company?), see it as breach of contract by the tenant, or just let it go as it does benefit the property?

This. I let houses. Go in hard as per this post at the beginning and only accept it when every i is dotted and every t is crossed from a legal standpoint. If this heat pump is dodgy and someone gets injured, guess who is going to pick up the can and be exposed to litigation? The letting agent is appalling to allow this. The installer must have got them to sign as the householder/owner too. This is a potential utter shit show.

You have to be a home owner for a grant.

I'd tell them they have to provide the necessary paperwork - including electric appliance check. I'd try to satisfy myself (or not) as to whether I am happy with the work and take it from there. I would write to them to say no future work should be undertaken without written permission ... will be deemed to be breach of contract

Have they totally removed the conventional boiler without your permission? That will be thousands if you have to have a replacement system fitted. They are flogging heat pumps as the best new thing but I don't think they are suitable for every properties and many people are disappointed with the temperature you can attain in the house. You will find out next winter if your tenants complain the house is cold.

This is what happens when you go through a letting company. If the tenant has been told to contact the letting company first about remedial issues during the course of their tenure, then they went through the proper channels. It is the responsibility of the letting company to have good communication with their landlords. Some letting companies are very dodgy and/or useless though.

Does getting a heat pump involve removing a boiler?

I'd be concerned that you may have moved from a system that adequately heats the house to one that doesn't. If that is the case, you won't know until Christmas and I am sure you will be contacted to sort out the mess at your cost.

All these people saying evict you do know if you evict you can’t relet for another year right? Unless in rent arrears?

You have some good points re safety but if the letting company is being paid by the landlord to act on the landlords behalf and they told the tenants they could go ahead but didn’t consult the op then I’d be very surprised if the tenant could be legally evicted considering they went through the appropriate channels.

In doing this they have stolen your boiler surely?

No you don't.....

Bullshit. Don't do a major alteration to a property that isn't yours without permission.

Although to be fair, the tenant is a LOT less at fault than the agent.

I'd arrange an independent inspection of the pump to make sure it's of a high enough spec and I'd expect the agent to pay for that inspection. And also to fund any alterations that need to be made.

The whole point of paying an agent is that they manage this stuff. Small slips, fair enough. They're human after all. But this is a major thing.

I would probably ultimately accept the pump but not without getting advice.

I wouldn't jump to eviction.

The agent is massively at fault here. This isn't moss in a gutter but my agent emails me about a hinge on a cabinet and I'm glad about that.

It's the law of unintended consequences that I have learned to work to over the years. Stuff has bitten me on the arse over things that I would never have dreamed of so I want everything locked down tight and documented in triplicate now.

Doesn’t this affect your insurance? It’s a change to the fabric of the house. I’m astonished the company didn’t get your consent. Maybe complain to the company and any trade association and regulator.

I don’t think this is the tenants’ fault; I think the letting agent has breached the terms of their contract. You need to make sure it’s fully inspected and then sack your agent.

Agree with all the other comments that this is too big to just let go. They have made a fundamental change to a property they don't own without your permission. I would want them to put the property back to its original state. It isn't for a tenant to decide to change the heating system. As others have said heat pump isn't more efficient for some properties and circumstances. I wouldn't be able to trust them now either, what else have they changed or are planning to change. Complain, then change letting agent too.

I was going to say the same. Of course the company fitting it said it was ok. A bit like asking a damp specialist firm if they have found damp……

I was going to say similar - but I think stumping up for some legal advice and making sure that everything is in place correctly may be only way forward.

I'd also do a formal complaint to letting agency.

What you do about the tennant I'm less clear about - persoanlly I wouldn't do this when I was a tennant but I suppose they did contact you and the letting agent - still seem a huge step with no sign off from owner - and like PP say what happended to the boiler. I;d be worried about what they may take it in their head to do going forward.

Don't you have to own the house to get a grant? I'm not too clued up.

I think I'd be wanting to see the paperwork and seeking legal advice. It's a bit on the large side to just let go.

You need to go and inspect the works with an expert who knows what to look out for. Only then will you have an idea of how best to proceed.

Yes, I would want my fully functioning boiler back too! Has that been scrapped or sold on by the installer??

There's so much that is wrong about this. Does the tenant expect to take the thing with her if she leaves??

I would be emailing about a hundred questions and wanting documents that cover my arse and render unto me my property in full.

I strongly suspect this is a breach of the tenancy agreement as it is a major structural alteration so you could take steps to evict the tenants.
They do not sound like good tenants.
The letting firm sound pretty useless too.
You have been placed in an unacceptable position here as the tenants have ( fraudulently) signed off the job as if they were the homeowners. This could potentially invalidate any guarantees on the system and affect your landlords property insurance should the system go wrong and cause damage. It also invalidates your current EPC
This is a very complex issue and I would seek legal advice.

'You’re eligible for a grant if both of the following are true. You must: own the property you’re applying for (including if it’s a business, a second home, or a property you rent out to tenants)-

'be replacing fossil fuel heating systems - such as oil, gas, electric or LPG (liquefied petroleum gaga'

from the gov's own website.

For everyone saying to evict , the laws have changed , I don’t know if you can evict for that.
I’d be furious with them and the agent.
Whether it’s an improvement or not , it’s not their house to do that sort of work.
Is the company legitimate? I’d want the work inspected independently.
Also , slightly stupid of them , for all they know you might have been planning to sell ?

The costs of that expert being covered by either the tenant or the agent, whomever signed off on the installation at the point the pump was commissioned

@Kimmers4334 If you have LL insurance, it might be worth talking to them. This sort of crap must go on all the time. They will give you some robust advice hopefully. Don't do nothing at all whatever you do.

I would start by writing to the installer and getting copies of everything. You can charge for your time and postage etc. too. It might be worth getting in touch with the small claims court and finding out what your time is worth and what you can legally claim for.

I've just Googled this and the Homeowner is eligible to claim the grant, not tenants!

So a fraud has been committed