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Who's responsible re:chimney sweep?

  • 23-01-2019 3:01pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 17


    Landlord landed at the door with a chimney sweep wanting it done then and there, and has demanded I pay for it. Not impressed, I would have liked some notice so I could account for the cost, I am living pretty frugally as it is! Is it mine or the landlords responsibly to pay for? No mention either way in lease


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭amcalester


    What’s in the lease about chimneys?

    Do you use the fire and was the chimney clean when you moved in?

    Though, if the landlord was dictating when it is cleaned and by whom I wouldn’t pay.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,564 ✭✭✭✭whiskeyman


    Would have thought LL as it's like a boiler service.
    Should be considered property and safety maintenance.
    That said, hard to call if not in lease.
    I reckon most sound LLs would cover it, but others may ask for some contribution?
    Really wouldn't expect tenant to foot all the bill.
    Bad form with no notice in turning up and charging you for it. What sort of relationship do you have with them?


  • Registered Users Posts: 129 ✭✭diggerdigger


    Landlord landed at the door with a chimney sweep wanting it done then and there, and has demanded I pay for it. Not impressed, I would have liked some notice so I could account for the cost, I am living pretty frugally as it is! Is it mine or the landlords responsibly to pay for? No mention either way in lease

    It should have been cleaned when you moved in. If you use the fire, you should clean it regularly, and clean before you vacate - as a general tenant responsibility like any cleaning.

    As for the landlord turning up to get it cleaned immediately, unless there is some sort of history here where they feel you have been neglecting the chimney, and it is now dangerous, I cant see the logic.

    Has there been correspondence with the landlord? Has there been a chimney fire or something before?


  • Registered Users Posts: 15 KKGirlatheart


    My husband and I have a house rented to tenants and we see it as our job to have chimney swept just as we have boiler serviced (at our cost, not the tennants)
    Also it is just basic common decency to give at least 24hrs notice and if he was going to charge you for it I would have thought this would have been agreed in advance. Expecting you to pay without any notice esp. at end of January is pretty mean. Can you check with PTRB?

    Sadly many LL don't really give a damn about anything apart from their bank balances but the PTRB is apparently there to protect tenants and landlords so may be able to help you.

    Good luck!


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Claireabella


    There was absolutely no discussion about the chimney when I moved in so I can't answer if it had been cleaned unfortunately! Lease doesn't mention anything about maintenance. I use the fire daily as my only form of heating(can't afford a tank of oil atm, go figure!). There has never been any issues with the fire. As it is my lease is up in 2 weeks and I have been looking at other places as there is a few issues in the house the landlord has taken a long time/not wanted to remedy..so I'm paying for this not long before potentially leaving. After phoning a few companies the quote for this crowd is very high, landlord says they are his go-to crew and I it's not up for discussion


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  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Claireabella


    Sorry meant to include, I don't have much of a relationship with landlord, he collects the rent each month, "Hello how are you?" Is pretty much the extent of it!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭Cash_Q


    We got our chimney cleaned last week for 40 euro. This is the standard rate. It took less that 15 minutes. As far as I know you're legally entitled to 24 hours notice before the landlord attempts to access the property to any reason. As it is the end of the tenancy it's probably not worth fighting about the 24 hours notice, but I wouldn't be paying for the chimney cleaning. That's standard property maintenance which is the landlords responsibility


  • Registered Users Posts: 129 ✭✭diggerdigger


    Cash_Q wrote: »
    That's standard property maintenance which is the landlords responsibility

    Except that it isn't. It's cleaning. And if its not done by the tenant, its deductible from the deposit. And the cost of a chimney fire due to lack of cleaning is also deductible from the deposit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,014 ✭✭✭✭GBX


    Maybe he is being clever knowing the lease is up and you potentially not renewing. By landing at your door and expecting you to pay, he is obviously trying to get it done before you leave and a new tenant arrives.
    I'd have refused to pay.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Claireabella


    Except that it isn't. It's cleaning. And if its not done by the tenant, its deductible from the deposit. And the cost of a chimney fire due to lack of cleaning is also deductible from the deposit.

    Sure, if it's payable by me I'll accept that, but surely I should have the option to either find a cleaner myself/or have the option to wait until payday at least? It has left me in a real pickle today :/


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  • Registered Users Posts: 129 ✭✭diggerdigger


    There was absolutely no discussion about the chimney when I moved in so I can't answer if it had been cleaned unfortunately! Lease doesn't mention anything about maintenance. I use the fire daily as my only form of heating(can't afford a tank of oil atm, go figure!). There has never been any issues with the fire. As it is my lease is up in 2 weeks and I have been looking at other places as there is a few issues in the house the landlord has taken a long time/not wanted to remedy..so I'm paying for this not long before potentially leaving. After phoning a few companies the quote for this crowd is very high, landlord says they are his go-to crew and I it's not up for discussion

    You have no obligation to use the landlords sweeps. He can inspect 9after the necessary inspection notice) and tell you that it needs to be done, and you can get your own sweep.

    Landlord sounds like a cowboy.

    A sweep should be 40-50 quid, tops.


  • Hosted Moderators Posts: 23,145 ✭✭✭✭beertons


    If you light the fire, you should clean the chimney.


  • Registered Users Posts: 129 ✭✭diggerdigger


    Sure, if it's payable by me I'll accept that, but surely I should have the option to either find a cleaner myself/or have the option to wait until payday at least? It has left me in a real pickle today :/

    You absolutely do have the right! And it doesn't have to be done immediately. You can also try to not pay it, or partially pay, if you think the chimney wasn't swept when you moved in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 816 ✭✭✭Gazzmonkey


    Hi OP

    Our landlord always services our AGA, boiler & chimney every year without fail and accepts all three are his responsibility as a landlord. Anytime I pay for maintenance he asks for the receipt and pays me back.

    Clearly you've been had, looks like he wants you to pay for his maintenance bill before you leave.

    Make sure you report everything to the PTRB


  • Registered Users Posts: 129 ✭✭diggerdigger


    Gazzmonkey wrote: »
    Hi OP

    Our landlord always services our AGA, boiler & chimney every year without fail and accepts all three are his responsibility as a landlord.

    AGA and Boiler Servicing - Yes, it the Landlords responsibility.

    Open Chimney is not. Its cleaning. You're lucky if your Landlord covers it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,100 ✭✭✭Browney7


    OP, don't pay it.if you are leaving anyways in a few weeks,I'd bet heavily you will have trouble getting your deposit from this guy if his latest conduct is anything to go by so will probably require RTB mediation to resolve. If the RTB determines you should have paid for it, then it can come from the deposit.

    Seeing as the RTB exists solely to whip landlords about the place I'm sure they'll probably find in your favour


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,767 ✭✭✭GingerLily


    If your stuck until pay day then you definitely should not be paying.

    He can't demand it like that


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Claireabella


    Okay in the end I paid it, he demanded it and I didn't want the confrontation in front of my kids, we will just be eating patato waffles and spaghetti hoops for a few days. Partner says keep it out of the rent but that will get me evicted and I don't have another place yet, just shopping around. He got pretty angry today when I questioned the charge so the deposit return could be a chore but only time will tell


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Claireabella


    He owns all the houses in the estate and the other tenants I have asked all paid too


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Claireabella


    Receipt and insurance cert was given to landlord and not me either, so no proof I paid


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,061 ✭✭✭Uriel.


    Receipt and insurance cert was given to landlord and not me either, so no proof I paid

    He's going to write the cost off his tax bill. Receipt should be yours as the contract is between the chimney cleaner and you.

    My view is that the tenant should be responsible for the ensuring the chimney is cleaned, as appropriate. However the description of the interaction with the LL in this case is appaling and he doesn't sounds like a good person to be dealing with.

    Sounds like he collects the rent in person too, I guess in cash? Probably some tax fiddling going too.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Claireabella


    Yes he collects in cash refuses to be paid via the bank, very annoying I hate carrying that cash around! The tenant next door claims HaP though so he would have to be above board?
    Uriel. wrote: »
    He's going to write the cost off his tax bill. Receipt should be yours as the contract is between the chimney cleaner and you.

    My view is that the tenant should be responsible for the ensuring the chimney is cleaned, as appropriate. However the description of the interaction with the LL in this case is appaling and he doesn't sounds like a good person to be dealing with.

    Sounds like he collects the rent in person too, I guess in cash? Probably some tax fiddling going too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 499 ✭✭Joe Daly


    I have a house rented out in kilkenny, I get the chimney swept the boiler serviced, they cut the grass with my lawnmower get that serviced every year.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    I would consider it semi-regular cleaning or maintenance like cutting the grass or unblocking a shower drain. Responsibility of the tenant.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,100 ✭✭✭Browney7


    seamus wrote: »
    I would consider it semi-regular cleaning or maintenance like cutting the grass or unblocking a shower drain. Responsibility of the tenant.

    But the landlord dictating it be done and giving the tenant no choice in the matter isn't right either and he sounds like a right miserable sod based on what the OP has said


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,155 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    amcalester wrote:
    Though, if the landlord was dictating when it is cleaned and by whom I wouldn’t pay.


    It's a safety matter. Carbon monoxide poisoning or chimney fire. If it needed cleaning it needed cleaning. It also needs to be done properly. Landlord has responsibility to ensure its done properly for the tenants safety.

    As for who pays, that should be covered by the lease


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭amcalester


    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    It's a safety matter. Carbon monoxide poisoning or chimney fire. If it needed cleaning it needed cleaning. It also needs to be done properly. Landlord has responsibility to ensure its done properly for the tenants safety.

    As for who pays, that should be covered by the lease

    While all that may be true there doesn't appear to have been anything in the lease or any previous discussions about it needing to be done.

    Just the landlord arriving at the door demanding money for a service the OP could have organised herself for less money. And, then the landlord kept the receipt.

    I wouldn't have paid.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,155 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    amcalester wrote:
    While all that may be true there doesn't appear to have been anything in the lease or any previous discussions about it needing to be done.


    If the fire is used the chimney needs cleaning annually. It is not unlike a gas or oil boiler. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous thing.

    I'm not condoning the landlord doorsteping the tenant. Unless an emergency notice should have been given.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Claireabella


    That's okay, but I was getting an eviction notice if I didn't pay. I realise if I had the receipt I might have more options but LL knew what he was doing, told the cleaners beforehand that all paperwork was not to be given to me. Lesson learned I suppose, I am very very tempted to leave the rent short at the end of the month but I know I can't do this, and if I do move I will need a reference! There are conflicting replies so I'm not sure if this was for me to pay or not anyway, I'm not bothered too much by that it is the bullying way it was done and has really soured my opinion of him, though I only see him once a month so that doesn't matter I suppose!
    amcalester wrote: »
    While all that may be true there doesn't appear to have been anything in the lease or any previous discussions about it needing to be done.

    Just the landlord arriving at the door demanding money for a service the OP could have organised herself for less money. And, then the landlord kept the receipt.

    I wouldn't have paid.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,121 ✭✭✭amcalester


    I know you said you’re looking for somewhere else to live but you should read up on your rights as a tenant, it might make you more confident in pushing back on bullying landlords.

    And remember, if it’s not in your lease it’s probably not your responsibility and the RTB are there to decide in your favour adjudicate.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,404 ✭✭✭1874


    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    If the fire is used the chimney needs cleaning annually. It is not unlike a gas or oil boiler. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous thing.

    I'm not condoning the landlord doorsteping the tenant. Unless an emergency notice should have been given.


    I dont think Carbon monoxide is a possible issue if the chimney is being swept annually, Id be inclined to think the main hazard is a chimney fire from soot, its possible a birds nest might be made and block the chimney, but I think this would be noticeable before people started suffering the effects of CO poisoning, a birds nest seems more likely if the chimney isn't in use for a while.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,155 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    1874 wrote:
    I dont think Carbon monoxide is a possible issue if the chimney is being swept annually, Id be inclined to think the main hazard is a chimney fire from soot, its possible a birds nest might be made and block the chimney, but I think this would be noticeable before people started suffering the effects of CO poisoning, a birds nest seems more likely if the chimney isn't in use for a while.


    This is my point. It's a health & safety issue & the chimney should be cleaned annually. Otherwise there is risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,649 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    How often do you use the fire?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    This is my point. It's a health & safety issue & the chimney should be cleaned annually. Otherwise there is risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

    What if a tenant refuses to allow access to get it done. (and its not in the lease).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,155 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    beauf wrote:
    What if a tenant refuses to allow access to get it done. (and its not in the lease).

    Let's change chimney clean to a gas boiler service. It is in the lease & is covered by legislation.

    Landlord can enter the property without permission in an emergency. Landlord can even do this without the tenants knowing. Landlord has the right to protect his property and has a legal obligation to protect the tenant.

    In OP's case the landlord seems to be a bit of a dic. Obviously the correct way to do things is to try get tenants agreement first. Only if tenant is being a dic should landlord just arrive at the door without notice.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,404 ✭✭✭1874


    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    This is my point. It's a health & safety issue & the chimney should be cleaned annually. Otherwise there is risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.


    Actually, it wasnt, you're citing CO as the reason to clean chimneys, I was saying chimneys are cleaned to prevent the risk of chimney fires, which before CO was really considered and open/solid fuel fires were common and frequently used. Then an annual chimney clean was to prevent chimney fires, inadvertently they may have cleared blockages/debris from birds nests, but Id say there was limited build up of that in used chimneys as I dont think birds would start building a nest in a used chimney.

    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    Let's change chimney clean to a gas boiler service. It is in the lease & is covered by legislation.

    Landlord can enter the property without permission in an emergency. Landlord can even do this without the tenants knowing. Landlord has the right to protect his property and has a legal obligation to protect the tenant.

    In OP's case the landlord seems to be a bit of a dic. Obviously the correct way to do things is to try get tenants agreement first. Only if tenant is being a dic should landlord just arrive at the door without notice.



    There are contradictions in what a landlord is legally required to do and then what they can do with the tenants consent. There are examples even in posts here, you'll have tenants complaining about not getting certain things done quick enough, but then have been shown to have either complained that they wanted to prevent access or did prevent access.


    Next, this is not about a gas boiler, you dont know whats in the lease, and as a former landlord, I would only have entered a property in an actual emergency to shut off a burst water pipe if the tenants were not present or I knew they were gone or there was a complaint about that problem from a neighbour or to tend to a similar complaint about a gas leak or suspected leak, (report and let someone from gas networks in), those are examples of emergencies.

    You simply cant turn up, unlock the doors and gain access, or turn up unannounced with an RGi in tow to carry out a boiler service. I would not do it if the tenant had not confirmed they were ok with it. If they were difficult about gaining access for that, Id put the responsibility on the tenant by formally notifying them in writing that they were in breach of their lease and preventing me carrying out my responsibilities. Id rather defend myself in court if they died of CO poisoning in the meantime than defend myself in an RTB hearing because I accessed the property without their permission.
    I would not put myself at cost or time inconvenience for a tenant to complain or turn me away.


    As for chimney cleaning, its in the landlords interest to protect their property, they could claim it back in costs, it'd be in their interests to pay, to at least ensure their insurance conditions are met. While I dont think its enshrined in law for it to be done, Im not sure for certain.

    It does seem like something a tenant might be considered to pay towards, that said, open fires are a potential fire hazard and are mostly inefficient anyway.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    If more thinking if there is a fire the safety angle. Secondly the landlord would be liable for the fire brigade charges for a chimney fire. Also the damage caused could be considerable.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17 Claireabella


    ted1 wrote: »
    How often do you use the fire?

    I use it daily during winter months. Though my neighbor only uses gas never the fire and still was expected to pay as the tenant


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,155 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    1874 wrote: »
    Actually, it wasnt, you're citing CO as the reason to clean chimneys, I was saying chimneys are cleaned to prevent the risk of chimney fires, which before CO was really considered and open/solid fuel fires were common and frequently used. Then an annual chimney clean was to prevent chimney fires, inadvertently they may have cleared blockages/debris from birds nests, but Id say there was limited build up of that in used chimneys as I dont think birds would start building a nest in a used chimney.






    There are contradictions in what a landlord is legally required to do and then what they can do with the tenants consent. There are examples even in posts here, you'll have tenants complaining about not getting certain things done quick enough, but then have been shown to have either complained that they wanted to prevent access or did prevent access.


    Next, this is not about a gas boiler, you dont know whats in the lease, and as a former landlord, I would only have entered a property in an actual emergency to shut off a burst water pipe if the tenants were not present or I knew they were gone or there was a complaint about that problem from a neighbour or to tend to a similar complaint about a gas leak or suspected leak, (report and let someone from gas networks in), those are examples of emergencies.

    You simply cant turn up, unlock the doors and gain access, or turn up unannounced with an RGi in tow to carry out a boiler service. I would not do it if the tenant had not confirmed they were ok with it. If they were difficult about gaining access for that, Id put the responsibility on the tenant by formally notifying them in writing that they were in breach of their lease and preventing me carrying out my responsibilities. Id rather defend myself in court if they died of CO poisoning in the meantime than defend myself in an RTB hearing because I accessed the property without their permission.
    I would not put myself at cost or time inconvenience for a tenant to complain or turn me away.


    As for chimney cleaning, its in the landlords interest to protect their property, they could claim it back in costs, it'd be in their interests to pay, to at least ensure their insurance conditions are met. While I dont think its enshrined in law for it to be done, Im not sure for certain.

    It does seem like something a tenant might be considered to pay towards, that said, open fires are a potential fire hazard and are mostly inefficient anyway.

    Lets make this very clear If a chimney isn't cleaned regularly & correctly then there is a risk of CO poisoning. Some people burn rubbish, milk cartons or raid skips for wood. Some people burn lament flooring, Formica shelving or countertops & other horrible things in their fire. The non wood parts of these things form a hard plastic coating inside the chimney. These chimneys may need to be cleaned twice or three times per year.


    You make a lot of uninformed assumptions above on when a landlord can enter without permission. The legislation is actually vague as to what an emergency is. There is absolutely no question that a landlord can break a door down if needs be to stop a leak. legislation doesn't state how bad the leak needs to be. A flood is defiantly covered but how bad of a leak is an emergency? I had an apartment where a hot water cylinder was leaking. It wasn't actually a bad leak. Water was turned off within hours. Two days later the front door couldn't be opened because the wooden flooring had buckled. The floor in the apartment had to be replaced. The tenant wouldn't consider the leak an emergency if the landlord broke in to stop it yet it was an emergency.


    A gas boiler service is a health & safety thing thing. If tenant is playing silly beggars not letting RGI in I am totally within my rights to go in without their permission.


    If they were difficult about gaining access for that, Id put the responsibility on the tenant by formally notifying them in writing that they were in breach of their lease and preventing me carrying out my responsibilities.


    This in bold is not good enough. You can't pass responsibility for health & safety to a tenant. You'd look a daft twit in a coroners court saying "Oh I sent them a warning letter". It's your responsibility to break the door in if need be for safety matters. I promise you this, you can NOT fob off your LEGAL responsibility to a tenant.



    As a landlord I'd rather explain myself to the RTB at a Tenancy Tribunal hearing why I broke down a door without permission than a coroners court explaining how it wasn't my fault that people died in my property.


    Driving instructor on the radio a few weeks back telling a story of a learner driver nearly taking the doo roff a car, that was suddenly opened in front of her, rather than break the law & cross the solid white ling with no oncoming traffic.


    I'll break that solid white line everytime.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    I suspect you'd have a very hard time convincing an RTB tribunal that you had to kick the front door in to facilitate the emergency sweeping of a chimney.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,155 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    Graham wrote: »
    I suspect you'd have a very hard time convincing an RTB tribunal that you had to kick the front door in to facilitate the emergency sweeping of a chimney.


    Not talking about OPs case here but cleaning the chimney is as important as a gas boiler service. It is a health & safety matter & people can die if it's not done. Obviously you try go through the proper channels first & arrange an appointment with the tenant. Someone asked in an earlier post "What if the Tenant refused to let you in". Refused to make an appointment & it's not covered by the lease. My answer is it is covered by the lease even if a chimney isn't mentioned in the lease. The lease doesn't mention every pipe & cable in the property yet I am responsible to ensure they are maintained & kept is a safe manor.





    That aside I have no problem explaining myself to the RTB. Even if I didn't win, Id still rather explain myself to the RTB than a Coroner.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    Someone asked in an earlier post "What if the Tenant refused to let you in". Refused to make an appointment & it's not covered by the lease. My answer is it is covered by the lease even if a chimney isn't mentioned in the lease. The lease doesn't mention every pipe & cable in the property yet I am responsible to ensure they are maintained & kept is a safe manor.

    Then the legal process is to give the tenant notice that they are breaching their obligations and follow up via the RTB.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,075 ✭✭✭Shelflife


    OP what was the charge ?

    I pay it as a landlord, my thinking is that if something happens (fire) I will be way more out of pocket than if I dont. It costs me about €35-€40 per house and I usually get my house and my Dads done at the same time so get a small discount.

    Bad form to turn up unannounced and demand payment.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,155 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    Shelflife wrote: »
    OP what was the charge ?

    I pay it as a landlord, my thinking is that if something happens (fire) I will be way more out of pocket than if I dont. It costs me about €35-€40 per house and I usually get my house and my Dads done at the same time so get a small discount.

    Bad form to turn up unannounced and demand payment.




    There are some wonderful landlords but sadly there are a few really terrible ones too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,404 ✭✭✭1874


    beauf wrote: »
    If more thinking if there is a fire the safety angle. Secondly the landlord would be liable for the fire brigade charges for a chimney fire. Also the damage caused could be considerable.


    Its worth it and in the landlords interest, but there is no reason to think necessarily that a landlord would be liable, Id be inclined to take the firebrigade opinion/explanation for any chimney fire.
    If there was a chimney fire and a tenant had prevented access for cleaning or even if a cleaning took place and a fire still occured, its more likely down to usage, if they were burning something which was not considered acceptable (such as plastics or their rubbish), I know there is a rented house near me thats doing it), then its the person burning the items that has contributed to/started the fire and would be responsible and therefore liable. People are and should be responsible and accountable for their own actions, whether they did something knowingly or due to a lack of knowledge is not anyones fault except their own (ignorance of something/anything does not excuse someone of responsibility/liability.
    I think whats coming next down the road (or should be) is tenant insurance for personal liability, which Ive read about in other jurisdictions, its better for the landlord and the tenant as everyone is covered in the event of accidents (including negligence), instead of obligating the landlord solely to pay for insurance.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    The bill goes to the property owner AFAIK. I'm open to correction though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,404 ✭✭✭1874


    beauf wrote: »
    The bill goes to the property owner AFAIK. I'm open to correction though.


    I think it depends on the locality/council/fire service rules on that, and Id guess the caller/requester of the service. A fire caused by a tenant, how would that necessarily mean the cost would go to the property owner?? it wouldnt surprise me, as there seems to be substantial shirking of personal responsibility when it comes to many tenants and obligating a private individual not only to insure their own potential liabilities but those of others too!? Id say the main focus of that is from the state to limit their exposure to cost, as if it was an obligation for private tenants, then it could be an obligation for the state to fund those liabilities directly or indirectly for non private tenants.


  • Registered Users Posts: 46 Bill nye


    1874 wrote: »
    I think it depends on the locality/council/fire service rules on that, and Id guess the caller/requester of the service. A fire caused by a tenant, how would that necessarily mean the cost would go to the property owner?? it wouldnt surprise me, as there seems to be substantial shirking of personal responsibility when it comes to many tenants and obligating a private individual not only to insure their own potential liabilities but those of others too!? Id say the main focus of that is from the state to limit their exposure to cost, as if it was an obligation for private tenants, then it could be an obligation for the state to fund those liabilities directly or indirectly for non private tenants.

    It's harder for the council to get the money from the tenants. They charge the property owner and leave it between the landlord and the tennant to figure out who pays in the end. But the council will keep after the property owner usually. As you said, each council differs with fire charges but it makes sense in theory as a tenant can up and leave easier than the LL can sell.


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