HEATING

[Mandy566]

our local housing association has booked a guest to stay in our 3 bed sleeps 5 for 3 months, whilst she has some work done on her home. 

She is able to control the heating to a maximum of 25° before she's locked out. 

This is more than enough. The cottage has carpets, double glazing windows, and as the windows are so big (floor to ceiling) the sun floods the front of the cottage keeping it really warm. 

She is saying that this isn't sufficient enough, and she wants full access to the heating, making it 27°+ when she feels like it. 

I have told her what the cottage costs per week gas and electricity,  and will happily increase the temperature if she or the housing association are willing to pay the additional costs. She has replied saying she's never heard such nonsense, and she's entitled to be warmer.

We offer extra blankets, and winter duvets. Plus the fact it's just her in a cottage that sleeps 5, she could easily use an additional duvet off a spare made up bed to keep her warmer.....

Has anyone had any experience like this?

Does anyone know the UK regulations on temperatures? 

Any tips would be very appreciated

[Joan2709]

@Mandy566 

Well...for most guests 25deg is plenty warm enough. Unfortunately, some guests feel they should be able to crank up the heat to whatever they like and not have to worry about the electric bill. Same for wanting to set temperatures so cold...they probably should have booked a place in the artic. I fear no matter what you do from this point on, you'll probably get a negative review. 

I would suggest that the fact you have temperature limits should be disclosed on the listing in Other Details under the description and possibly in House Rules. I didn't see anything about this on the listing? This way, a guest supposedly would know before booking what the temps are limited to XXC to XXC and can decide if they want to book or not (if they even read the listing details). 

[Mandy566]

Thank you Joan2709...

So would you suggest that as I haven't covered temps in the welcome note, that I let her have her way?

It's going to cost an absolute fortune 😱

I'll update the listing this weekend, to save us from this happening again in the future

[Joan2709]

@Mandy566 

Yes...unfortunately Hosts have to cover all the bases on a listing.  Whether you let her have her way or not...that is up to you. I think she's going to be unhappy no matter what you do, as she was already told no. You could over to provide a portable heater, but of course that takes electricity.

If she feels this is still unacceptable, you may have to reach out to the local Housing association and explain that you just can't allow the extra utilities that will mount up. Perhaps they would be willing to cover the electrical bills above what is usual and customary for the winter months in your area. Of course, get their agreement to do so in writing and what proof they would require to substantiate the bill you will present them. The other concern is who knows how long it will take to get paid. If they won't work with you, you may have to get the Housing Association to cancel the booking and find another place for the guest to stay.

If it were me...I probably wouldn't want to deal with this guest for 3 months. Who knows what other unreasonable demands she will make in a 3-month period. What a headache...I would contact the Local Housing Association that booked her and get them to cancel the stay and find another place for her as @Helen3 suggests. 

[Kia272]

@Mandy566 You've been given good advice by others. I'm thinking that it may be cheaper for you to just get this guest gone, if the heating is truly as expensive as you say. And she sounds like a pain in the butt! 

If it's the housing council that actually booked, definitely contact them to see if they can be reasonable with this issue. They may agree that she's being ridiculous, and tell her to stay and live with it, or book her somewhere else. 

[Helen3]

welcome to the community Mandy I can see you've recently started cohosting a couple of places in Bristol and Bath.

25c is fine .  @Mandy566 

I'm in Bristol near you in a Victorian home and have it on at 22c .and 15c overnight. 

what did the housing association say when you contacted them about this? 

the guest is being ridiculous she is not legally entitled to anything .

personally I would suggest to the housing association they cancel if she's not happy I wouldn't want her staying in my home. 

if you look online there is lots of guidance around suitable temperatures which seem to range 18-24c 

[Zheng49]

We have the heating set to 23C. I feel like 25C is enough, but we also provide a portable heater to allow them to set the bedroom they're residing at to whatever temperature they like.

[Tara0]

@Mandy566 There is no legal requirement to provide central heating with a temperature above 21C.

The booking was made by the housing association, and that is the party with whom you have a contract. I would deal with the HA ONLY, and refuse to deal direct with its tenant. The housing association will likely be far more reasonable. 

[John5097]

@Mandy566 

Wow 25c is 77 degrees. I have mine set to a max of 74 degrees and no one has complained. 

I would disclose that in the other things to note. 77 degrees would be too warm for most people. 

I would also tell these guest that 25c is the max temp as anything higher would be at risk of damaging the unit, and moving forward they should send an inquiry first to find out if the listing can be turned up above 25c. I've also had guest turn up the heat to 80 degrees when I just had baseboard heaters for supplemental heat, and open all the windows and doors. Thankfully they were only there for one night. But installed a mini spit and a remote control that can set the max and min temps.

This is why hosting can be very frustrating as that seems very unreasonable. I don't even worry about people like this anymore, and if they leave a critical review, just mention in a polite response that you try and accomodate guest as best you can and for future guest that the max temp is 25c, there are extra blankets, etc.  

* In addition I have the entire living area already at a comfortable room temp. In the winter at 70 degrees, a bit warmer than average, and most guest don't even touch it, which saves on energy to just keep it at a set comfortable temp, which if its cold when the arrive and some rooms aren't yet warm enough they will want to crank it up. I would also cite the recommended indoor temps. Here in the US it's 68 I believe by EPA, and that 77 would be well above that and pushing the limits.