We recently carried out some refurbishment works on one of our rented properties in May 2018 and noticed that the gas supply to the boiler in the property (which heats the hot water only) had been disconnected at the meter. There is no gas heating in this property only electric. We raised the issue with the tenant at that time who confirmed verbally that they had arranged for the disconnection to be carried out (without our permission) as they did not want to pay for the gas as it was too costly. We told them this was unacceptable and to arrange for the gas supply to be reconnected to the meter / boiler as soon as possible and to advise us of the date when this would be completed. Since that time we have heard nothing, we have written to them on numerous occasions for an update on this matter but unfortunately they have not responded.
Please can you advise what our position is on this matter and whether we can insist on the gas being reconnected? Also could there be any repercussions on us as Landlords in the future if the tenants were to claim that there was no hot water in the property?
Question
Deposits and Tenancy Deposit Schemes (England) | Landlord Responsibility for Repairs and Maintenance (England)
GAS SUPPLY
Answer
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1 Comment
Don’t think you will ever be able to force the reconnection as they are the bill payer not you.
We don’t see how there could be any repercussions. You supplied hot water and it’s still being supplied if they pay for the gas.
Check the terms of the tenancy and it will most likely allow you to charge the tenant for any costs of reconnecting the meter should there be any when they leave. Retain the deposit until you know if there will be a charge and how much. It would need a term in the tenancy to recover this cost though (our tenancy agreements have such a clause built in).