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?

I'd also want to know if they told the letting agent beforehand and they didn't tell you?

Does it affect your insurance and also EPC rating? I;d be doing a inspection ASAP.

I think a potentially dodgy company has installed it without caring you are the landlord.

I agree you need to come down like a tonne of bricks on the agent about this. I’d call your insurance company and find out if you have cover to get legal advice. For all the posters saying it’s fine, it’s an upgrade etc - not all properties are suitable to be adequately heated by a heat pump. Not to mention the fact that they will have either removed or decommissioned a boiler, potentially worth thousands of pounds. And as someone has said, the EPC will now be invalid.
I baffles me that some posters are implying that the OP is being unreasonable but I guess it’s just the usual “landlord are all money grabbing bastards” trope.
OP you have to go very hard on this. Good luck.

To get a grant you need to be the owner. Agents can sign off on behalf of the landlord but certainly not the tenant. The company installing have strict criteria to follow. 'Letting agents can legally sign off on or apply for a heat pump grant (such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme) on behalf of a landlord, provided they have written consent and formal delegated authority to act as the property owner's representative'

If this has happened the letting agency has acted fraudulently and they should be your first port of call.

Agree. What would they do next?

Surely a reputable company would have asked for proof of ownership of the property before carrying out works? I would take this further with the company who did the work and also the letting agent. Is your house now completely reliant on electric for heating? I wouldn't like to not have the choice of using gas if the electric goes down and I'm sure other people would think the same.

Thank you for this. I have it in writing that I told the agent I wanted to see plans before I agreed to anything, I’m glad it was email not over the phone

Like princess Elsa says... let it gooooo

I hadn’t thought of insurance and the EPC. At least the EICR doesn’t need redoing according to Google

I would be absolutely ballistic!

I might not have agreed in the first place, and in any case, I would organise a very professional check, at their cost to see what the damage is.

If something goes wrong, or if the tenant just decides to move out, who's left with the mess? You.

People who keep insisting that your rental is "your home" are responsible for that kind of attitude.

He should have asked for permission, definitely. But otherwise, I don't understand the problem. Well, to be fair, I'm not massively clued up on heat pumps, so it could be that.

My dad lives in a country where winters are regularly at least -15 during the day, but often more, -30 at night, and it's a damp country too. He paid to have a heat pump installed and solar panels too; it was a significant amount, not any sort of grant. And he owns the house, of course, to be fair.

It was a large expense, but now his heating/elec bills are pennies/free in warmer seasons and a small amount in winter. It's a large house, heated to 22-24 in winter. Works perfectly well. So how can it not heat teeny matchbox British houses then?

Have they provided:
The MCS safety certificate
Electrical installation certificate
Building Regulations Compliance notification
Warrantee
Servicing requirements
Details of the government grant used?

I would have an inspection done to see how , where and what possible damage has been done.
This is not necessarily grounds for eviction, as even if a breach of contract (Ground 12), it’s discretionary. The judge (if they don’t leave it will need a court order) might see it as an improvement to the property, though if you could prove damage to the floor from the pets and failure to maintain the property that adds a bit of weight.
And what has happened to the boiler? These have value so I’d want to know was it sold or did the installers take it? Again if this went to court a judge might think the value of the new system outweighs the loss of the old.
As for the agents there are a few caveats as to their responsibility. Do they manage the property? Did the tenants ask about the heat pump through them? Did you reply through them or directly with the tenants? If through the agents did they then inform the tenants that you wanted to make the ultimate decision? If they did do this and the tenants went ahead anyway, then they have fulfilled their responsibilities. Somehow the tenants seem to think they had permission to go ahead. I’d ask to look at the email chain or have some proof that the agent did not imply that you had given permission.
I rent out a flat and they wanted to install a different internet or cable or whatever. The agents asked for permission. I had to get consent from the freeholder and pass that on to the agent who then informed the tenants. It’s all written down. This kind of thing is what you need to find out before you change agents or proceed further.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-company-obligation-eco/homeowners-and-tenants/faqs-domestic-consumers-and-landlords

It can work well if the whole system is upgraded. Radiators sized appropriately etc.

It would be much more expensive to run though in such a cold without solar panels! Most of the heat pumps in this country are rated to be able to heat water to a certain standard at -5 degrees.

I’m puzzled why a tenant would want to make such a huge investment on a property they don’t own!

So the agents told the installation company they were acting on your behalf without any kind of written contract? This is all so bizarre.

A friend had a pump fitted and the ownership and consent side of it was more faffy and longwinded than the actual installation.

The agents have seriously cocked up here as have the installation company for not getting the owners signature.

I wonder if they’re just very keen on renewable energy. I agree it’s very odd though!

It was funded by a grant. It didn’t cost them anything.

Indeed.. Takes a day, lots of noise and mess. Why would a tenant even care what kind of boiler/pump was in place?!

I'm wondering if all those saying to let it go are actually homeowners.
I would be beyond livid if someone took it upon themselves to do this to my property.
This is a huge breach and yes, you need to go straight to the agents and ask them what the fuck they think they're doing. I would also be pissed off at the tenants but not sure how legally culpable they would end up being if this goes wrong down the line. And if you evict them and problems emerge subsequently, then they definitely won't take responsibility. You won't see them for dust.
You need it on record somewhere that you didn't give permission for this. Someone has cocked up massively.

I’d come down hard on this. How dare they? It’s a massive change to the property, including electrical changes and potentially gas changes if they’ve got rid of the boiler. If they haven’t been done properly, you’ll now be liable for any issues. I’d want to know if the agent sanctioned it and acted as middleman, though. For all you know, the tenant might think it has been approved by you via the agent. Time for a conversation with the agent first, then the tenant. I’d also be asking for them to return the property to the condition it was in before you let it to them.

There were government grants for insulation a few years back. Caused endless problems subsequently with condensation and many of the companies who actually did the work were a bit dodgy,

This sounds like fraud, and it’s a scandal if these companies can use public money in this way without these basic checks. It’s generally means tested for the property owner.

I’m coming at this from the angle that a landlord’s property has got a free upgrade on the public purse that they were not entitled to. I know OP hasn’t done this and has other issues to consider (building regs, insurance) but this is pretty outrageous.

Also, this could land you with a major headache when you come to sell the property, if the proper protocols weren't followed.

I don't get blaming the tenant if the agent approved it. As far as I know with my managing agent, they speak on behalf of the LL and it's not for me to go behind the agent's back to check that the LL agrees with something.