It’s all too common for boilers to breakdown in winter when they’re under the most stress. This not only leaves your tenants shivering while you arrange costly repairs, it can also land you with a fine. Fortunately, you can take steps to mitigate this risk.
Under the Landlords and Tenants Act 1985, a landlord is responsible for keeping their properties in a habitable state, and this includes making sure heating and hot water is available. Furthermore, the Housing Act 2004 also obligates landlords to ensure that when it is -1C˚ outside, tenants still can heat a room to 21C˚ at any time. Failing to meet these obligations could lead to a fine from the local authority.
Should a breakdown happen and you can’t get it fixed that day, it’s best to take some fan heaters and kettles round as a temporary solution. You may also need to arrange somewhere for your tenants to shower or possibly pay for them to stay in a bed and breakfast.
Many breakdowns can be avoided by having a full annual boiler service rather than just the compulsory Gas Safety check. This can correct potential faults and ensure the boiler is working efficiently, meaning more comfort and lower energy bills for your tenants.
You may also want to replace a very old boiler before it finally breaks down. Xgas can provide heating engineers in Chester for both these things. Get in touch to also learn about how care plans can get you priority service in cases of breakdowns.
