I recently had a gas boiler replaced in my leasehold flat that I let out. In discussions with the company afterwards, I found out that they drilled a new flue hole through the external wall. This hadn’t been planned - the possibility that this would be necessary hadn’t been discussed beforehand - I think it’s because the boiler is in quite a tight space. From the outside, the old flue hole appears open - the boiler installers didn’t fill it in, and this needs to be done. My lease says not to make external alterations without the freeholder’s permission.
What would seem best to do? Ask the boiler installers to repair the hole? Would it seem best to contact the freeholder before or after the works are completed, or leave them alone if it’s not very noticeable? Would the installers be liable for any of this that is considered damage to the freeholder’s property rather than me?
My lease seems to say that I indemnify the freeholder from damage due to negligence by “any persons at the Premises expressly or impliedly within the Tenant’s authority and under the Tenant’s control”, but I’m not sure how that affects things here.
Thanks very much for any useful perspectives that you can give.
central heating guys usually fill the holes in with brick. However their “brickworking” is usually rubbish, smeared and wonky. .If I have a boiler change I tooth it out ,get matching bricks and do it myself
@LearningAsIGo you should get them back to finish the job. It’s unacceptable to leave a hole in the wall. At the very least they should have told you and given you an option to sort whilst they were doing the work. Call their boss.
@Colin3 has the advantage of being a builder most of us wouldn’t have the same skills
Even if you don’t brick it up it would be possible to use a cover of some sort, maybe like the ones used to cover ducting runs to outside from extractor fans. You don’t want rain getting into the wall do you?
You could also consider re-using the hole eg if in kitchen and you don’t have an extractor fan could be a good use…
Something like this (Google “Adjustable Flue Stopper Imperial “ ). It will be barely noticeable. So long as whatever you do doesn’t do any damage to rest of wall (or let water in) it’s doubtful freeholder will notice or care. (Might be different if it’s listed or in a conservation area I guess but normally freeholder isn’t going to object - they also have an interest in you being able to heat your property properly which helps protect it from damp etc).
Also think about where the hole is - internally are you going to leave or decorate? Think whether to put something to draughtproof and insulate (but don’t bridge a cavity). Etc