Husband refuses to let workmen in to fix the central heating

[user1476041120]

Does anyone know legally what I can do here. My boiler broke in Sept 23. My husband tried to install a brand new boiler but did not complete the job at all.
Result - I have had NO central heating or hotwater all winter. Just a log burner was lit at night . I got a Corgi Regd plumber to come and quote to put it all right . But my husband has said he will not let him in to do the work !!!

I cant let the plumber turn up and be confronted with an angry husband but I am desperate to get the heating system put back in safely. I have tried to google for answers but cant seem to find any that don't want to charge me £50 / month Anyone got any ideas ?

Organise it for when your husband is out? Who cares what he says.

I would get this moved to the legal board.

Are you separated but still living together or something? If your relationship is at the point where you are seeking a legal solution to force your husband to let workmen in, your relationship has pretty much completely broken down. Can you move out/force a sale?

Honestly, in that situation, I would be out of the house (and potentially leaving him with kids/pets, etc) until the problem is sorted, by him or someone else.
Is he capable and qualified enough to do this? And why the hell haven't you ripped him a new arsehole for leaving you like this for half a year?

Legally, if he owns the house too, I imagine you both have equal rights, so yes he can refuse access, as can you. But why haven't you sorted it?

Is this your current husband not an ex? If so this is nuts

What is his reasoning for not letting someone sort this? I would also b worried with him doing it and blowing u all up, unless he is qualified? He sounds controlling and abusive x agree wth above can u do it when he is out?

Sounds like a) DH isn't qualified to install a boiler and that even if he did complete the work it could be dangerous , and b) DH is a massive knob- and that's on the best interpretation. Who has his family with no central heating or hot water over winter? ?
So either he thinks he might finish the job and hasn't got around to it/lacks the capability ,or he is abusive. And I think he is abusive.
So my advice would be to end the relationship, and either move out yourself, or get him to move.

If you have the money then I’d get the plumber round on a day your husband is out and just get it done.

but the main point here is your husband seems abusive and controlling. Are you ok, are you safe?

I second this. Sounds bonkers. I’m so sorry you’re in this position. if getting heating and hot water isn’t a priority for his family, and he’ll actively not allow someone in to fix it, this just sounds irreparable.

Ultimatum. You book a gas engineer to come (when you will be home too) or it’s divorce.

id also report hi. To social services if you have children stating he is preventing heat and hot water being accessible, a fundamental need! It’s abuse of you and the children

Sounds like he’s bitten off more than he can chew and probably doesn’t want a professional coming in and telling him off and embarrassing him He probably knows he should not be touching gas without being qualified. I think you need to be firm with yourself and him . If you have the money to get someone in you must do it for your own safety . It is unacceptable for him to leave you like that . If he is a bully and controlling them get professional help . I know what it’s like ti have a husband like this , I was too scared to confront things back then and left it far too long. Life is too short to live life under a cloud .

Hi The plumber would not be able to finish it in a day . Its a big job. We are in 70 and on a pension - I cant afford just to move out. Even when I have threatened divorce - he says he wont sell the house, and I cant make him ? ( no mortgage - its ours jointly ) and I will just rack up big legal fees in the argument.
Where is the law protecting people like me. I want to sell the house and buy my own property ( there is enough equity for both of us to buy a small house each - but it seems I cant ??

You can report yourself to adult social care.

Google your local authority + adult social care to find the number

Legally he can be made to sell the house (or give you half the equity) if you divorce him. Sounds he will fight it though and it’s going to cost you both money.

See a solicitor love, as soon as you can. And meanwhile I think it's worth you calling and talking to Women's Aid, because forcing you to live in this way is abuse and it sounds like only the tip of the iceberg. They will support you and talk you through how to handle separating from him and what your rights are.
You have more rights than you appear to think.

I agree with this

You can, you need to pay a lawyer to help you.

You can force a sale legally as a joint owner. It will be expensive, though.

It is against the law for someone unqualified to work on a gas appliance, he has broken the law:
https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/media/1449/who-can-legally-work-on-a-gas-appliance-factsheet.pdf

Putting in a gas boiler isn't a DIY job, highly illegal to do so .

You can start divorce proceedings online to get the ball rolling. He’s trying to stop you by saying you can’t make him sell the house. He can’t stop you divorcing him and going to court to get the house sold. Yes it will cost money, but you’ll each end up with half the value of the house less half the legal costs. He’ll realise that the more he fights the less he ends up with. It’s likely he’d back down.

This is awful OP.

Is there any way you could approach your gas supplier and report a gas leak as an emergency. You might be able to give them a heads up about the situation, and then they will condemn the existing boiler and refit the correct one.. maybe.

That's just a suggested way of starting the process, and I don't know if it will work.

On the other hand, file for divorce asap. There doesn't need to be a reason anymore. You can get legal aid for this (I think), or you may have to pay a lawyer/solicitor, but if you have the money it will be worth every single penny.

If you feel it is domestic abuse (which it sounds like), contact Women's Aid right now and get some information. How are your finances structured? Does he have control of it?

I bet you he doesn't want to let the plumber in because he knows that what he has done is illegal, and he will get into trouble over it.

i'm sorry you'r stuck living with a man like him at your stage of life -i think the suggestion to speak to womens aid or a good solicitor is a very good one.

Don't take legal (or any) advice from your husband. He's told you that you can't force a sale, and you believed him?

He's either uniformed or intentionally lying to you. Either way, talk to a solicitor, inc confidence, see you where you stand. Start making plans. You can divorce him and force the sale. And you could have that house of your own and not let that man ruin the restof your life.

Can you go to your GP and get a MH assessment done on your DH? His issues are affecting both of your physical health. This is coercive control (a legal form of abuse). If anything, you could call the police.