There are some tasks that tenants are responsible for carrying out throughout their tenancy to maintain the heating and hot water appliances correctly.
GAS CENTRAL HEATING AND HOT WATER:
These tasks include:
- "Topping up the pressure" on the boiler (as and when required)
- Bleeding the radiators regularly (a few times per year, as and when required)
- Resetting the boiler if it starts playing up (as and when required)
- Opening and Closing the Radiator Valves (required at least once every few weeks to ensure the valves don't block up or become jammed)
- Fixing Radiator Valves that don't work
- Setting/Checking the Thermostatic Programmer (you should search on Google for the manual of your Thermostatic Programmer unit if you need it)
- Find the Make and Model of your boiler (usually written on the front) and then search Google for "Your Boiler Make and Model" + "Manual" to find a copy of the boiler operating manual, then follow the "Troubleshooting" steps shown in the boiler manual.
The above steps will help fix the following issues:
- No heating or hot water
- Some radiators not heating up
- Radiator not heating up at the top
- Heating not coming on at the correct times
- Heating too hot or too cold
ELECTRIC HEATING AND HOT WATER:
Understanding Electric Storage Heating:
Storage heaters are easy to use. Setting the input control decides how much your storage heaters will heat up in the off-peak hours. That gives you the heat to use throughout the day. You'll likely need to set it to the maximum in colder winter months, but you should reduce it when you don't need quite as much heat. The 'output' (sometimes called 'boost') sets the room temperature. On a low setting, it allows heat to leave the heater slowly, which is ideal if you're out during the day. On a higher setting, more heat is given out at a faster rate. This should be saved for when you're at home. Turn it back to the lowest setting before you go to bed; doing this will prevent the heat that's being stored up through the night from being released straight away. For more information click here.
Setting Electric Storage Heating:
When you first reprogram electric storage heaters the changes will usually only take effect the next day, because the electricity that powers the electric storage heaters only runs during "off-peak hours" (for more information please Google "Economy 7 Heating"). Change the settings then leave it overnight and check back the next morning to see if the changes you have made have taken effect. If they haven't worked, then ensure the power switches that supply power to your heaters are definitely turned on and that all the fuse switches on the fuse board are turned into the "on" position. Click here for more information on your fuse board.
Other Electric Heating Systems and Hot Water Tanks:
For more information on using the specific electric heating or hot water systems in your property, please look up the brand name of your appliances on google and search for the user manuals.
IF YOU STILL NEED HELP:
If you have tried all of the above steps and the boiler or heating still isn't working, then a visit from a Gas Safe Engineer will probably need to visit to carry out any work that is required. In order for this to be arranged, please report the issue to us (including as much information as possible like a photo of the boiler and the make and model information) via the following link: https://letmeproperties.co.uk/report-repair/
Please note, if a contractor is sent to deal with a repair for you and it turns out that you have not been using the appliance or property correctly, then you will be charged for the contractor's visit, so it's very important that you try all of the reasonable steps before reporting the repair to us.
Please NEVER open the boiler housing or interfere with any of the gas installation or appliances. It is against the terms of your tenancy agreement and extremely dangerous.
If you are not capable or just don't want to maintain the boiler and radiators yourself, then you should ask a friend or family member to help you or you should hire a contractor (at your own expense). If you report a repair to us and it turns out that the issue is due to you not using the system correctly, then you will be charged for the contractors' call out charge and an administration for the time to handle the matter. Gas Engineers/Electricians are a lot more expensive than handymen, so we recommend that you first try the above steps yourself or hire a handyman to do it for you before you report it to us as Heating or Boiler problem.
Remember, if you report an issue to us and it turns out to be something that you should have done yourself or it is something that is caused by your (or your visitors) actions or failure to act, then you will be liable for the contractor charges. To report the issue to us after attempting all of the above, then please visit: https://letmeproperties.co.uk/report-repair/
For more information on the suggested steps above, you can search online to find articles that might be helpful. Our advice is provided in good faith, without any liability accepted by us. You should follow any suggestions with care and attention and if you do not have the skills or know-how required to carry out your tenant-like responsibilities then you ask a competent friend or hire someone to help you.