Here is a blog clinic question from Pamela who is a landlord.
I have a tenant in a top floor converted flat. There were some problems with the roof which resulted in damp patches appearing at various points on all the outside walls. The roof has been mended but the damp patches will clearly take a while to disappear. I suggested that my tenant leave a window open during the day when they are at work to help dry out the patches.
My tenant has now asked me to reduce the rent by £50 per month to cover extra heating because the flat is colder when they come in and takes longer to heat up. I have refused. Am I right? The rent is £450 per month.
Hi Pamela, my view is that if the tenant has incurred extra heating costs due to this matter, which is not presumably down to their fault, they are entitled to be refunded.
The question is therefore, what are the extra heating costs that they have incurred? £50 may be an exaggeration. I would suggest you ask them to confirm this amount by reference to their utlity bills before paying.
By the way, I assume that there are no security issues with the windows being left open?
It would proably be cheaper, quicker and less hassle for you to simply hire a dehumidifier for a week or two.
…although they may ask for contribution towards the running costs!
Assuming you’re running a 250W domestic dehumidifier 24 hours a day it’s going to cost no more than 90p a day (assuming average electricty unit cost of 15p/kWh).
Leave the window open? This could be a real issue in the colder months.
Good question, I would have also thought that the Landlord would be liable for the extra costs of heating caused by the damp and the open window. I agree with you though Tessa, £50 seems to be a huge extra cost. Perhaps the landlord should ask to see a bill to provide a more accurate cost?
Sophie Hobson, deputy editor, LondonlovesBusiness