My 2 hour walk cost me £194 when my tenant could not contact me?
While I was out on a walk my tenant tried to contact me to say her boiler had broken down and the emergency breakdown co I was insured with would not attend without my permission even though the tenant offered to pay the £70 call out fee.
By the time I returned after 2 hours, the tenant had ordered another company to come and fix the problem and I had to pay their £264 bill.
My insurance company pointed out that on page 17 of the T&C’s it said that only the landlord could arrange the callout.
The company has never needed my permission to attend the property to carry out boiler servicing or CP12 certificate in the past.
Should the tenant have waited longer than 2 hours before taking action?
Many thanks
Ashley
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Previous Article
Rent being held back by agent after slipping on to periodic tenancy?
Member Since January 2022 - Comments: 97
7:47 PM, 13th January 2022, About 4 years ago
ah more information does alter the choices made, I have a tenant that has lived in the property 30 years, mental, he could have owned the property outright, lovely chap, ah well we all make our choices 😉
Member Since March 2018 - Comments: 15
9:04 PM, 14th January 2022, About 4 years ago
I went out and Tenants kept emailing /calling me Their electric went so small family small baby
Tenant got a electrician out to change the fuse
and then charge me £390..00 ( British Gas would done this £75.00 max
I had this family through the pandemic ALL paid on time
Would could I have done london has had such a drop in rental market
Upset say the least
Member Since March 2016 - Comments: 85
7:53 AM, 15th January 2022, About 4 years ago
I think you’ve done the the right thing.
I give tenants one or two chances like this, using the opportunity to explain what should be done in the future.
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 297 - Articles: 1
9:07 AM, 15th January 2022, About 4 years ago
What does your AST say on this matter?
If it does not cover this issue why not?
Member Since March 2019 - Comments: 73
9:11 AM, 15th January 2022, About 4 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Stephen at 14/01/2022 – 21:04
I would question the electrician and have them explain the charge.
See if they are a member of any organisation and perhaps complain to them too.
you were robbed!
Member Since June 2021 - Comments: 12
10:09 AM, 15th January 2022, About 4 years ago
Bill the tenant. Also amend your contract to clarify that the tenant is not allowed to arbitrarily call any contract that they wish unless it’s an absolute emergency.
Member Since February 2019 - Comments: 34
10:54 AM, 15th January 2022, About 4 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Clint at 12/01/2022 – 20:02
This is why landlords should not have one company to rely on. Landlord insurance and service cover is worthless in an emergency. Far better is to not have any unreliable cover, that relies on 1 company. Better to do what your tenant did and find an available service within a short period. Needless to say, British Gas et al are a complete joke.
Member Since April 2015 - Comments: 468
11:02 AM, 15th January 2022, About 4 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Daveknowstheregs at 15/01/2022 – 10:54
When parts are required, the emergency insurance cannot do anything about it so it has to wait. The company does not necessarily carry parts as all boilers are different. It is also often difficult to get contractors in the middle of winter.
The time taken is generally no longer than getting a repair in my own home so I consider it as normal part of life.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 126
11:04 AM, 15th January 2022, About 4 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Ashley at 13/01/2022 – 17:31
Well done Ashley.
Member Since February 2019 - Comments: 34
11:05 AM, 15th January 2022, About 4 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Stephen at 14/01/2022 – 21:04
Stephen, it would be reasonable for the electrician to charge £40 call out, then £30 per hour plus parts. You would need to ask how long the job took. Jumping to the conclusion that you were robbed isn’t fair and is ridiculous, without knowing the facts of the job and doing the above sums.