Problem with oil boiler and landlord

[plkinsey]

Hi all, and thanks you for reading my post.


I'm wondering if I could get some advice, as I know nothing about boilers.


I currently rent a bungalow, that has been plagued with maintenance issue, the most recent of which has been the boiler. I won't go in to too much detail, but on the weekend, the boiler was going into lockout.


It's a Worcester Greenstar.


Anyway, the letting agent would only use a certain engineer, as he is the only one in the area to specialise in oil...... This is what he said. This engineer could not come out until Friday, so nearly a week without heating/water.


Anyway, I found a local engineer, who my sister uses. She said he's excellent and very thorough.


Anyway, he came out today to service and repair the boiler.


He got it working, but questioned "who the hell installed this?" and "who services this?"


Obviously, it's the guy the landlord likes to use.


So...... he has told me there are a number of issues that need addressing, and quite frankly, it's shocked him that the previous guy has not picked up on theses issues. Well, it's the guy who installed it so, perhaps that's why?


I will list the issues, and would really appreciate if somebody could tell me the seriousness/implications/threats these issues pose.


1. Oil supply system not earthed (He sorted that today)
2. Air Supply - Insufficient Ventilation
3. Pressure relief pipe not to regs
4. Condensate pipework not to regs
5. Rigid flue joints not screwed
6. Oil filter inside building.


Many thanks for your time to read this, and apologies for the length of it.


Any advice is very much appreciated.


Thanks


Phil

 

[Bunker]

All of those are common failures of installers. I deal with dozens of rented properties and the workmanship tends to be far from ideal.

How old is the boiler?

 

[plkinsey]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I beleive the boiler is around 6-8 years old.

 

[plkinsey]

Thanks for your reply. I believe the boiler is around 6-8 years old.

 

[Best]

I can't see anything wrong with an oil filter inside at boiler & not sure if it is against regs, but I could be wrong. I prefer the filter to be at oil tank but an additional filter at boiler I don't see as a problem - most important is that a remote firevalve is fitted.
Most jobs are against regs anyhow. Just supply the landlord with your engineers paperwork & suggest your engineer sorts it.

 

[SimonG]

1. Wish I had a fiver for every oil line I see thats not earthed. So the bloke that came out is a comptent and qualified electrician?
2. Boiler must be in a cupboard is it?
3. Whats the matter with the pressure relief valve pipework?
4. Why is the condensate pipework not to regs?
5. Good spot.
6. Not aware that an oil filter within the building is against the regs. If it is then its a new one to me.

As for seriousness of the faults, it depends as there is not enough info in your post.

Hope you cleared it with the agent before getting somebody else in, they can be really funny creatures 🙂

Its always easy to pick fault with others work

 

[Ermintrude]

I love a good landlord 'handy man'