Can a Local Housing Officer Force me to Install HHR Storage Heaters?

Can a Local Housing Officer Force me to Install HHR Storage Heaters?

13:17 PM, 5th October 2022, About 2 years ago 21

Text Size

Hello, I have a flat that has modern electric panel wall heaters with thermostats and timer switches which run on standard-rate electricity.

The tenant has a direct contract in their name with the electricity supplier. The EPC rating for the flat is D.

The local Housing Officer has recently visited the flat and has now sent us a Section 11 Improvement Notice (and an administration charge invoice) on the basis that there is a heating system installed to the property that is purely reliant on peak rate electricity and is prohibitively expensive to use.

The schedule of works includes high heat retention storage heaters to be fitted and a wall-mounted electric panel heater with timer and electronic thermostat must be provided in the lounge and a similar and suitable unit provided in the kitchen”.

According to the Notice we are expected to install HHR storage heaters AND wall-mounted panel heaters in the kitchen and lounge, as well as having the meter changed to a dual-rate E7 supply.

I have never come across such a request before and would be grateful for some advice.

Thank you,


Share This Article


Comments

Ann

1:54 AM, 10th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Thank you all for your advice. I have written to the Council to say we are happy to install additional heaters on the existing system if those in the flat are deemed insufficient for the size of the rooms. I have also said that I believe the six storage heaters we have been asked to fit in a two-bedroom flat would end up costing the tenant a lot of money to run + all other electricity used during the day would be at peak rate. I have asked the Council to reconsider their request for the heating system to be changed to E7. I will now also consider writing a formal letter of complaint.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now