Islington Council - Landlords

[MBE2017]

Islington residents will lose access to hot water and heating for up to 11 hours every day
Households in the north London borough of Islington will have their access to heating and hot water restricted in a bid to save cash.

In a shock decision made by the council, private tenants, leaseholders and council residents across the borough will lose access to basic amenities for up to 11 hours a day, as part of the borough's new "efficiency measures" to keep costs down.

The measures will apply to any household in the borough served by a communal heating system, where heating and hot water is produced from a communal boiler in a plant room rather than each individual flat having access to their own boiler.

It means homes will only have access to hot water for five hours in the morning, and eight hours in the afternoon and evening, with restrictions already in place between midnight and 6am.


Now if this was a private landlord....

 

[HFE Signs]

Essentially they are shutting down the boiler during the night to save money.

I guess the alternative would be to raise you contributions to the utilities, personally I prefer not raising the cost and shutting down at night as they propose.

What is your question?

 

[MBE2017]

Essentially they are shutting down the boiler during the night to save money.

I guess the alternative would be to raise you contributions to the utilities, personally I prefer not raising the cost and shutting down at night as they propose.

What is your question?

I was pointing out if this was done by a private landlord, there would be a justifiable outcry. The rent charged was based on 24hr supply, it tends to get colder at nighttime than in the day, hot water can be required at anytime of the day. Councils as the landlord have a duty of care and rightly so.

Personally I think this is probably illegal, not everyone works 9-5, so this could prove very awkward for some tenants. We’re the tenants consulted and given a choice? I doubt it very much.

 

[HFE Signs]

I was pointing out if this was done by a private landlord, there would be a justifiable outcry. The rent charged was based on 24hr supply, it tends to get colder at nighttime than in the day, hot water can be required at anytime of the day. Councils as the landlord have a duty of care and rightly so.

Personally I think this is probably illegal, not everyone works 9-5, so this could prove very awkward for some tenants. We’re the tenants consulted and given a choice? I doubt it very much.

A private landlord would almost certainly increase the charges, if they can’t due to the contractual agreement they would most likely do the same.

Energy is going up for everyone so the property owners have no option, they won’t make a loss on your behalf

 

[MBE2017]

A private landlord would almost certainly increase the charges, if they can’t due to the contractual agreement they would most likely do the same.

Heating and hot water: Landlords must provide and maintain heating and a supply of hot water, with gas boilers and appliances checked annually and electric boilers and heating systems every five years. Section 11 1985 Landlord and Tenant Act.

As from the above, any Private Landlord would be breaking the law. They can set the temperature on the thermostat in shared accommodation such as HOMO’s, but hot water cannot be withheld. Even with a boiler breakdown they should arrange repairs within 24-48hrs normally.

 

[UKSBD]

Communal heating | Islington Council

Communal heating

www.islington.gov.uk

All sounds pretty sensible.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Communal heating | Islington Council

Communal heating

www.islington.gov.uk

All sounds pretty sensible.

Unless you or a relative are incontinent

 

[Newchodge]

Communal heating | Islington Council

Communal heating

www.islington.gov.uk

All sounds pretty sensible.

That doesn't mention hot water, only heating. Heating was on for 18 hours/day, that is now reduced to 13 hours/day. Mine is, currently. on 2 hours/day.

 

[UKSBD]

That doesn't mention hot water, only heating. Heating was on for 18 hours/day, that is now reduced to 13 hours/day. Mine is, currently. on 2 hours/day.

Yes, but did the journalist get it correct when they said hot water was being switched off?

According to the information on communal heating systems, where hot water and heating are combined, they aren't switched off

https://www.islington.gov.uk/~/media/sharepoint-lists/public-records/housing/information/factsheets/20152016/20150804communalheatingfaqspdf.pdf

No idea if that has changed though, probably not, more likely sloppy journalism