Landlord refuses to co-operate

Hi,

In reality, the answer is not really please you. For you are just in the usual dispute of what is to be borne by the tenant and what must be borne by the landlord. Since the heating system is working and that it is an accessory (radiator valve) was broken, the repair is entirely your responsibility. If the heater was off, the situation would have been different. So were you, I will arrange it with SODEXIMO to cut heating for one hour to allow a plumber to repair.

Radiator valves and faucets are a classic in discussions between owners and tenants. For if their age is demonstrated, it is the owner to replace them. But often the fault of the tenant is rejected because it is said that the valve is stuck or broken because it did not operate regularly made. Which resulted in seizing up ...

Here is an excerpt of the Belgian Law:

The obligations of the owner

The Civil Code stipulates that the owner must support:

Major repairs: roof, façade, building structure, replacing the chassis, repair the elevator and common areas, but all the parts outside the rented house: balcony, terrace ...

The major maintenance: adaptation of improper electrical installation, replacement of broken tiles, repair gutters, ...

Repairs to remedy the obsolescence, normal wear and force majeure: repairing leaks due to obsolescence, maintenance of gas pipelines, maintenance of the tank rainwater, cleaning septic tanks, boiler, heating unit, replacement a used faucet, ...

Obligations of the tenant

For its part, the tenant must manage the property in a good family man, that is to say, it must clean, maintain and perform minor repairs related to the daily use of the property but also repair the damage caused by his fault or negligence.

Some examples: a burst in the enamel of the bath, a clogged sink, children's scribbles on the walls, a broken window, the seal leaky faucet, cleaning and disposal of dead leaves in the gutters, descaling the water heater, the chimney cleaning, replacement of fuses and switches, washing walls and ceilings, cleaning, end of lease cellars, extermination of cockroaches or other vermin (except in this case, if the pests have been reported in the inventory before the keys or during the first months of occupation, and this writing) ...

Furthermore, the tenant is obliged to notify the owner in case of problems. For example when a threat of falling cornice or moisture problems occur. If he does not, he can be held responsible for the damage afterwards.

Load distribution

From a purely financial point of view, the tenant will pay through the monthly retainer and possibly waiting for an annual calculation on the basis of actual expenses, of all current expenditure related to housing, namely:
- Heating costs
- Water consumption
- Electricity consumption
- Subscriptions to cable, phone and internet
- The maintenance of the elevator
- Common expenses of the building (heating, water, electricity)
- Her home insurance

For its part, the owner will naturally supported:
- Major repairs
- The fundraising for the reserve fund (condominium)
- Calls for funds for working capital (ownership)
- The building insurance

In any case, the property tax related to the leased property or the commission or the intervention of an estate agent fees can not be charged to the tenant. It is forbidden by law.

Management fees (trustee), however, are to be borne by the owner or to the tenant under the provisions of the lease and renting contract dispositions.