Landlords utilities obligations and open ended contracts

[Wilkinson]

Hello,

My landlord says I have to pay for the servicing of the boiler (oil fired) surely this is down to him as he is responsible for the maintenance?

He is also asking me to sign an agreement where there is a line saying the tenant has to "Pay for any damage or repairs necessary" I know he means caused by me but he says he has used this form of wording for years and isn't going to change it. To me this is an open ended liability?

Am I right in thinking these clauses are unreasonable?

many thanks

[zoe]

yes unreasonable and would probably not hold up in court even if you did sign !

If the LL refusses to change the wording it is probably worth you finding a new property as you don't want to end up in court or being given notice.

Zoe

[Wilkinson]

thanks Zoe,

I guess you are saying you think both clauses are unreasonable?

[Paul_f]

Just refer your landlord to the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract Regulations 1999 which can be found at http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1999/19992083.htm

Go ahead and sign it if you want but give a letter to your landlord saying that you don't intend to be bound by it, as it won't have any chance of standing up in court. If you like the flat stay there. I know Zoe is only trying to say that you might be entering into the territory of unnecessary hassle!

[Wilkinson]

many thanks Paul, that appears to cover it.