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Rights as Tenant
Hi, I have been living with a defective boiler since I moved in a year ago. A technician was finally called 6 weeks ago, but since then the flame does not stay on. For 4 weeks, I was able to run a bath after starting the flame each morning (usually 3-4 times to get a bath deep enough). For the past 2 weeks, the flame will not catch at all and I have been living with no hot water all day every day.
The landlord simply ignores me and does not answer my emails. His handyman tells me the technician is awaiting a part.
Any advice as to what I can do? I'm tired of rushing to the gym for a shower, living in sticky filth. Can I legally not pay rent until it's fixed?
NO - pay your rent as this way to push is not legal in BE (and could cause to put you off-road by the landlord).
I would contact directly the technician and push from that side.
...IMHO and BTW: Sticky filth is nothing against to be blown up by a defective boiler ....even I understand your frustration. Good luck!
What does your contract say about responsibility for repairs to the boiler? Is the landlord simply ignoring you because it's your problem and not his? A standard contract will normally require YOU to have the boiler serviced annually.
It can be fixed by a new part. That's your responsibility.
If it couldn't be fixed or that part was no longer available, that's the landlord's responsibility.
Deal directly with the technician and understand how much the part costs and when it will arrive. If dissatisfied, get another technician, but make sure the first tech will not also send you a bill for the part.
Responsibility. Ah yes. I was caught by this when I first arrived in Belgium. My responsibility was to pay for all repairs that did not require complete replacement of the boiler. As no repair will ever be more expensive than complete replacement, the same landlord probably has tenants paying for weekly repairs to his 30 year old system to this day.
Agree with XL. You ought to call in Sibelgaz to check the boiler if you believe it to be defective. Don't take risks!
