Landlord trying to get £100 out of us

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Landlord trying to get £100 out of us

18 posts & 8 voices | Started 2 years ago by dustypumpkins | Latest reply from Steve-Austin

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dustypumpkins - Member

There was a fault in our fire alarm system in the flat which meant that the alarm sounded and couldn't be hushed. Landlord didn't do anything about it apart from "phone the electrician" who didn't turn up for another 2 days. There were faults with 2 alarms, they were replaced and all was good. No idea what the fault was. Anyway, landlord phoned saying that we've to pay the £100 electrician charge. I had a peek at the lease and the 1987 Housing Act (Scotland) and it wasn't much use.

Surely it's his responsibility to provide working fire alarms.

And if it's not and we are liable to cough up £100 just like that he's not getting it until we get a new shower! We've been without a shower for nigh on a month!

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Ta muchly

Posted 2 years ago #
uplink - Member

Tell him to go boil his head

Posted 2 years ago #
cb - Member

I'm a landlord and unless you've caused the damage, he's taking the piss! He pays.

Posted 2 years ago #
trail_rat - Member

as uplink says ... awa and bile his heed

HIs responsibility - frankly he sounds like a shit landlord

Posted 2 years ago #
Kit - Member

From the Shelter Website:

What does my landlord have to do?

By law, your landlord is responsible for providing fire detection equipment for your home, such as a smoke alarm. There should be at least one smoke detector on each floor of the property, and if the alarms are installed after September 2007, they should be mains powered rather than battery powered.

Your landlord also has a general duty to keep your home fit for you to live in and to ensure that it doesn't endanger your health. This includes ensuring there are no fire hazards in your home, such as loose wiring or dangerous stairs.

If your landlord refuses to provide a smoke alarm or you feel there are fire risks in your home, you can take action to make sure they put things right, either by applying to the private rented housing panel (PRHP) or by contacting the council's environmental health department (see 'getting help from the council' below).

Landlords of houses or flats that are occupied by more than two households (houses in multiple occupation, or HMOs) have to make sure there are adequate fire precautions and escape routes (see below).

It is therefore his duty to ensure that this standard is met and therefore his cost to repair, I would say.

EDIT: Oh, and you want to be looking at the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006

Posted 2 years ago #
trail_rat - Member

i got a new microwave and toaster within 48 hours when mine **** up earlier this year.

Some landlords are cocks.

Posted 2 years ago #
richtea - Member

i'd tell him to FO

Posted 2 years ago #
italspark - Member

hi iam a landlord as well as an electrical contractor.
im guessing you mean the smoke alarm(s), if it was beeping once every minute, it needed its battery changed, which is your job (im assuming you were given written instructions for all your electrical appliances when you moved in.if was beeping constantly its his job cause its faulty.
as far as the shower goes thats his job and a month is an unreasonable time to be without one.
tell him if it isnt fixed in a week that youll be withholding rent and invoicing him for the extra expense of heating bath water

hope this is helpful

Posted 2 years ago #
dustypumpkins - Member

Ta for the replies everyone. I've said there is no way I'm paying my share of the £100.
Kit, the only reason I was looking at 1987 was it's in the lease.
Italspark, they're mains powered (with a battery backup) and the batteries were fine. It was a constant ear-piercing beep. The faulty one was replaced, and another was found to be very very quiet so that was replaced too. To be fair we do have 2 showers but going down to one is a royal pain! Written instructions? Don't be daft!

Posted 2 years ago #
trail_rat - Member

are you a student dusty pumpkins ?

Posted 2 years ago #
italspark - Member

smoke detectors shoud be interconnected if they are wired properly so can effect each other, they also only have a 10 year lifespan (youll find a date stamp on the back) also manufacturers suggest you dont mix types.
are you an h.m.o. property ?

Posted 2 years ago #
Steve-Austin - Member

If a LL fits a wired system, then its his responsibility to maintain it. YOU do not have to pay for this, nor can you be charged for this as its his responsibility.

BUT as it would appear you have a bad landlord, who seems to be trying to work outside the law, it may be worth talking to someone about this. or at least click my name and have a read.

I'm happy to discuss. mail me if you want to

Posted 2 years ago #
dustypumpkins - Member

Trail_rat: guilty. Aye its an HMO.
The thing is, our landlord has been really good to us until a few months ago. Another good example is he took the fire extinguishers away a few months back to get them tested. Surely the tester should come to our flat?
He's a bit of an old fart to be honest and the language barrier obviously doesn't help. I don't think he knows that he's liable for the costs. I'll more than happily tell him that, just can't be bothered with him getting annoyed at us. Saying that, we've done nothing wrong; he has by trying to charge us!

Posted 2 years ago #
italspark - Member

hmo,s are another matter. you should by law have a smoke detector log book which you should fill in after testing on a regular basis, your landlord must also carry out an annual system test which smoke tests the detectors and any faulty ones must be replaced and logged in the book, this would normally be accompanied by a full battery change , unless you have lithium batts ( which last 10 years)
ask your local athority who you should talk to and report him.
that should get things moving as he must be licensed

Posted 2 years ago #
dustypumpkins - Member

Blast!
Ok, so we didn't test the system on a weekly basis but it's a bit irrelevant as when the system failed, the alarm sounded anyway and had been working prior to sounding.

Surely, still it's his responsibility to provide working alarms.

Posted 2 years ago #
italspark - Member

in short ,yes he has

Posted 2 years ago #
dustypumpkins - Member

Good, because I'm skint enough as a result of giving him far too much money. And after buying a new frame... but that's a different matter all together!

Posted 2 years ago #
Steve-Austin - Member

If you start contacting your local authority and forcing your landlord to fix things or get him inspected, what is he likely to do?

Before you listen to the advice on a internet forum, get some proper advice.

Taking actions against a LL is the quickest way to find yourself being given notice. Then you will have to move, which will cost you lots. italspark is giving you almost correct advice, but if you do what he is suggesting, i guarantee you will be looking for someone new to live very shortly.
Think very carefully before you report your LL

Posted 2 years ago #

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