Repairs during Covid-19?

Reply to the comment left by Porky at 29/03/2020 – 17:53
Thank you for spotting this. That wording will certainly help me with my reply to her. I felt I’d done everything in a more than reasonable time frame, but just wasn’t sure if there was a definite obligation, although, to get another plumber in would surely negate my insurance policy 🙁
She is unfortunately a very demanding tenant, but one who will cause me trouble given the slightest excuse, so I need to tread very carefully.

Under the current difficult conditions I would say you have responded and acted with incredible speed.

With many plumbing depots closed, the next issue might be getting the parts.

Reply to the comment left by Linda Price at 29/03/2020 – 16:23
Says nothing of the sort. Not specifically anyway…

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/70/section/11

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 29/03/2020 – 23:19
Yes you are correct Luke P. Linda and her tenant seem to have picked up on an interpretation of section 11 by an organisation called thinkmoney.co.uk . Link below.
This makes it even more of a reason for Linda to not be intimidated by her Tenant who thinks she has one over on her.
Give her both barrels Linda.

https://www.thinkmoney.co.uk/news-advice/broken-boiler-in-rented-house-your-rights-0-8494-0.htm1

Reply to the comment left by David Lawrenson at 29/03/2020 – 18:20
Some of my wholesalers are closed but I have mobile numbers of the managers / reps who deal with me.
I can call them out if I wish out of hours but it has to be for a good reason (such as a fire in a commercial premises where I need a new 3 phase DB NOW).
I have not had to do this in years but I know I can call them if needed.
As we are in a lock down situation I have 5 consumer units in the van now and will use them sooner or later.

Wholesalers are now doing click and collect / phone and deliver same day (I have been in the game for years and don’t fluff them about- pay my bills and don’t do a lot of returns, I also steer clear from Screwfix / Toolstaion for electrical stuff as they are less useful)
This way I get someone at the end of the phone who will have product knowledge and can get stuff which is not run of the mill- I may pay slightly more for that but it keeps my customers happy.

Getting back to the original poster-
The tenant is taking the urine and you have been quick in dealing, open and honest.
I would advise communicating by email and cc’ing the tenant in when you email the engineer / repair company then the tenant cannot complain you have not kept them in the loop
I sometimes suggest to my landlords we do this as it creates a trail of the landlord making best efforts should the tenant try and throw some manure.

Reply to the comment left by ___ baldelectrician at 30/03/2020 – 03:05
Very well said, Bald Electrician.

I always make a point of paying any supplier / trades people within 24 hours – and give each of them a lot of my work, because this repays itself manifold when the chips are down and everyone is desperate for their services.

David Lawrenson
LettingFocus.com
Landlord Advice

Reply to the comment left by David Lawrenson at 30/03/2020 – 09:44
I always make a point of paying any supplier / trades people within 24 hour

Me too, loyalty works both ways

Reply to the comment left by David Lawrenson at 30/03/2020 – 09:44
I agree and also pay anyone who works for me very quickly, my problem in this case is that the boiler is under an insurance policy and if I got someone else out to look, would I then invalidate the policy? I felt they had responded reasonably to fit me in on the next working day, but after the tenant pointed out that it was an “emergency “ it then left me in doubt if these boiler cover policies were adequate? After all the helpful advice, I think that it is, and it is my tenant who has unreasonable expectations as to what we can do. I always explain that even though I’m a landlord, I don’t get a magic wand in my started kit and I have to rely on the ability, and help of others at certain times, just like everyone else :-/ Thanks again for everyone who has contributed, its much appreciated in this sometimes lonely job of being a landlord. Thank goodness for 118 🙂

Reply to the comment left by Linda Price at 30/03/2020 – 11:33In this instance it was only hot water not CH as well, so a kettle will get them hot water to wash in. And if they have an electric shower (Recommended in a BTL even if they may not be as nice to use), even better.
As Porky mentions, a few electric radiators in stock to deliver to Tenants is a good idea to cover any wait for CH to be attended to.

Reply to the comment left by Ray Davison at 30/03/2020 – 11:53
I had already mentioned that a kettle could be used to have a warm wash and wash dishes, but your idea of keeping a stock of electric heaters is a great one 🙂 thanks.