Ask the experts
By bisnis
THE BUILDER:
My four-bed detached house has a central-heating system served via a
night-storage electric boiler on an Economy 7 tariff. I intend to extend —
adding three rooms and two ensuites — but believe night-storage boilers are
no longer made. My current system is pretty economical, but can struggle in
a bad winter, and our village has no gas. Any suggestions?
Byron Roberts. by e-mail
I would recommend a modern electric underfloor heating system. These work
efficiently and give a very pleasant and even warmth in any room. In a new
extension, the extra rooms will be well insulated (as per building
regulations) and the results should be surprisingly good. Underfloor heating
works particularly well in bathrooms and toilets, but is suitable for any
room. Thermostats give independent control for each room (or “zone”).
Visit warmup.co.uk for a range of
systems, advice and an online room planner.
Manuel Costa is a London-based builder; mhcostaconstruction.co.uk
THE LAWYER
As a landlord, I have used Foxtons in London as my letting agent for many
years. My tenant renewed her annual tenancy in March for the third
consecutive year and, on each renewal, I have been charged a fee — 11% of
the annual rent — even though Foxtons did nothing in relation to the
renewal. This seems unfair. Do I have to pay?
CD, London
No, you don’t. At the request of the Office of Fair Trading, the High Court
has recently considered a number of the terms contained in Foxtons’ standard
“lettings only” agreement with landlords, under which the agency provides an
introductory service. These terms include the renewal fee. Although there
may be exceptional cases, the court made general findings that Foxtons does
not provide any service commensurate with the size of the renewal fee, and
that the fee has not been sufficiently flagged up within the agreement. As a
result, the fee is unfair and not binding on you.
Indeed, you are now entitled to recover the fees you have already paid to
Foxtons, although the firm may raise a defence to your claim.
Desmond Kilcoyne is a barrister at 42 Bedford Row, WC1, specialising in
property law