www.daisy-exchange.com

'London Homes and Property' Magazine Dec/Jan issue

Important advice for landlords (and homeowners) who have flues which run in ceiling spaces or walls

Some properties, mainly flats and apartments, have been built with boiler flues which cannot be inspected because they are hidden behind walls or ceilings. The boiler flues that this information relates to are connected to room-sealed fan assisted boilers.  If you live in one of these homes then please read on for more information so you know what to do.

Gas Safe registered engineers need to be able to see the flue − which take fumes away from the boiler − as part of essential safety checks whenever the boiler is worked on. A flue in poor condition, combined with a boiler that is not working properly, could put you and your family in danger from carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause death or serious injury.

If your boiler is situated on an outside wall, it is unlikely you have this type of flue. Alternatively, if your engineer can see all of the flue, you will not need to take any further action in relation to this matter.

If you do have a boiler where all, or part of, the flue cannot be seen, you, or your landlord, will need to arrange for inspection hatches to be fitted. This does not mean that your flue system is suddenly unsafe. As long as the boiler passes a series of safety checks − including having audible carbon monoxide alarms fitted − it can be used normally for the time being.

Carbon monoxide alarms are not an alternative to being able to see the flue and you will still need to have inspection hatches fitted. You have until 31 December 2012 for this work to be completed. It is recommended that inspection hatches are fitted as soon as you are able to do so. From 1 January 2013, any Gas Safe registered engineer will turn the boiler off, with your permission and formally advise you not to use it until inspection hatches have been fitted in appropriate places.

If you believe this affects you and you are in a Daisylets managed property, please email us. We will be reviewing our properties in the next few months to accsertain which will need to have work done before the end of 2012 in order to to comply.

Daisylets are very pleased to announce that following on from our win in 2010, we are once again finalists for the prestigious London Letting Agent of the Year Award!

Oliver Romain, editor of Landlord & Buy-to-Let magazine and lead judge for the Awards, commented:

“The Landlord & Letting Awards are the premier nationwide private rented sector awards in the UK, and it’s great to be able to recognise and reward the best in the industry. This year’s response was phenomenal, with over 1,000 entries received across the various categories, so Daisylets have done brilliantly to be shortlisted.”  

The winners for each category will be announced at a gala dinner – hosted by property investor and TV presenter Melissa Porter – being held at the Concourse Suite, Birmingham NEC, Wednesday 16^th November, 2011.

We are thrilled to reach this stage in the judging process: it really is testament to our hard work and commitment. We are now just keeping our fingers crossed that we are once again lucky enough to walk away with a winner’s trophy on the night… wish us luck!

“Fresh as a Daisy”

If you are looking for a new flatmate, need a wardrobe or have furniture to offer – this is your one stop swap shop!

Daisylets have started a free message board www.daisy-exchange.com - we love the East Dulwich Forum and Gumtree of course  but this is an additional resource specific for local tenants and landlords to post messages. Don’t waste time trawling Gumtree and travelling afar – keep it local!

Furniture Swap Exchange

This is the place to post about the odd bed, wardrobe, sofa etc that you need or are looking to get rid of – an extra site that cuts through the posts about books and DVD’s etc to get to the furniture you are looking for and is intended to be completely local for everyone’s convenience.

We’ve found that we are often putting together landlords and tenants that have something the other one needs, so this seemed like the logical solution.

Flat Mate & House Share Finder

There is also a place to post if you are looking for a flat mate or a house share in East Dulwich. If you have a vacant room or are looking to create a new joint tenancy house share with like minded individuals, feel free to post your Facebook details etc so you can find housemates you will get on with. The key to a successful and long running house share is choosing your house mates wisely!

Please spread the word, as the more people that use this message board, the better service to the community it will be!