My landlord says I am NOT to use the fire place as the smoke comes back into the room and chokes. He said the chimney had been swept on "many occaisions" and it didn't cure it. I opened up the fore place to find 3 dead birds and a shed load of soot.I put a little fire in the grate and the chimney drew perfectly. I told landlord I'd done this and he said it smoked into the room every time a door was opened. He said it had done it ever since the house was built (1950's)
Is he bullshitting me? Is there a remedy?My husband thinks he doesn't want us to light a fire because he won't be insured if it causes any damage.
Any insight would be most appreciated.
2007-01-08 21:41:11 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Martien... are you deliberately bieng a Nob or is the rest of your answer coming in a minute?
2007-01-08 21:46:05 · update #1
you have a hole in your lum,it will mean taking hundreds of bricks out and re building the fire place no wonder he is fobbing you off.
if the door is open it would make your fire draw better,i have worked on many a fire with the same problem and its always a broken lum,just above the fire place.
2007-01-08 21:48:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
we live in a bottom floor flat and have a coal fire and it's recommended it's swept twice a year depending on how much it's used. Our flat is pre war and as far as we can tell our fire was regularly used by previous owner and we use it from Nov to march each year we've used it for about 14 years. We also get smoke that blows down the chimney but that is only when there is a strong wind and what direction it's blowing in.I would pay a sweep to clean it again and get his advice sometimes the bridge work comes loose and the smoke can't escape but this would filter through to the other rooms if they have got chimneys in them ours are all blocked off.If this is the only heat source see land lord about getting something else. It's his house and he has a responsibility to you .
2007-01-09 07:31:34 · answer #2 · answered by Mea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he is probably trying to reduce the affects of smoke on the decoration.
But if he says don't use it, unfortunately you have to follow the landlords rules.
It could also be that the flue needs checking if its not been used for a long time, maybe there are hidden probelmsd in the stack you can't see.
some of the other answers ( "light it and see", "you rent the flat its your right" etc ) are bit scary. Its easy for someone to say ignore your landlord and do something potentially disasterous....but they don't have to live with the consequences.
If you light it, and it burns down, you may be liable for the building. Sure his insurance will pay him, but they will chase you once they know he told you not to use the chimney.
Its not worth the risk.
2007-01-09 08:13:39 · answer #3 · answered by Michael H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is probably truthfull.
Half chimney's built don't draw with a full fire...
Most masons don't know how to build a chimney.
Any chimney built since 50's prob have broken and cracked
flue liners also adding to a major fire hazard.
That flue liner helps prevents heat from enter thru other masonry
into wood work and a full blown fire.
a little dab of paper isn't adequate in checking a chimney..
Actually a chimney needs a video camera/lens dropped down
from roof to inspect liners and condition just like septic tank lines/drain lines are checked now.
To ignore a landlord's warning about using a chimney is asking for a heavy lawsuit-even life ...if smoke/fire damage happens..
2007-01-09 06:00:28 · answer #4 · answered by cork 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, if the landlord says "don't use it", then don't. Any damage, smoke or fire, that results will be your fault. In turn the landlord can come after you for the cost of repair.
If you really want to use the fireplace get together with your landlord. Come up with something that both parties agree on.
If you end up agreeing on using the fireplace have it wrote down in your lease contract
2007-01-09 08:01:37 · answer #5 · answered by Danny Z 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be dangerous so you need to be careful here. How about asking the landlord if they/you could pay to get a professional to check the chimney to see if it can be used? Ask him if the problem is the insurance. You need to discuss with the landlord as, if you have a fire, and what he says is correct, he's not going to be happy with you. You could damage the house too - be careful.
2007-01-09 05:45:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your Local citizens advice bureau. Your Landlord id responsible for the upkeep of the property.
He knows he will be breaking the law regarding the problems with your fire place.
2007-01-09 05:46:01 · answer #7 · answered by richard_beckham2001 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is the landlord you are the tenant. He has a duty to make sure that yyour accomodation is adequate for you to live in. He must fix the chimeney. Sounds like a good sweep would fix the problem.
2007-01-09 05:45:58 · answer #8 · answered by BARROWMAN 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its you thats living there, not your landlord. If you want to light a fire, go ahead and do it. If its not in your contract then he can't evict you over it. If he doesn't want a fire lit there then he should've had it blocked off.
2007-01-09 05:45:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check your lease, unless it is specified he has no right to stop you using the fireplace.
2007-01-09 05:55:42 · answer #10 · answered by TC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋