Landlord refusing to replace washing machine

poppysarah

http://www.residentiallandlord.co.uk/feature10.htm

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994These regulations require that all appropriate electrical equipment supplied in a property must be safe to use. Unlike the Gas Safety Regulations, there is no mandatory requirement for the equipment to undergo any safety testing, but the duty of care remains the same.

The following guidelines apply to all electrical appliances supplied for the tenancy:

• washing machines, cookers, etc, should be serviced and in good working order;




Although there is no mandatory requirement for equipment to be checked – nor any stipulations as to how often the electrical supply or appliances might need to be checked – we urge all our landlords to have all electrical appliances and electrics (wiring, plugs and sockets, etc) checked before the start of a tenancy and regularly thereafter.

If landlords or agents should be found guilty of non-compliance with these regulations, the penalties are severe in monetary terms and include possible imprisonment.

charlesworth82

LL doesnt have to provide a washing machine - even if it was originally provided.

simone1

If you still have difficulties with the LL might as well look for a new place to rent so you'll have less worries to take care of.

no_fat_chicks

scrummy_mummy wrote: »

Perhaps you could ask the LL for directions to the court as well....advice that tells you to withold rent is ridiculous and is a sure fire way to get you evicted. You have a child and that last thing you need is to be evicted and thus make yourself intentionally homeless. Rent is rent..pay it. If another agreement for recompense/compensation for whatever reason is reached between you and the LL then that is an entirely separate issue.

Do not assume the LL is being obstructive on purpose....The LL may not want to be tricky...you say he is overseas and thus choosing/ordering/paying for/getting a machine delivered may cause him loads of hassle and be very difficult, particularly if he has taken on an agent to manage the property, this might be why he objects and takes his time...perhaps you should try to get to the bottom of his issue and understand the problems/issues he may face, it may not be a cost based objection on his part, rather a logistics issue. Could you offer to do the leg work so that all he has to do is reimburse you for it?
He may also not trust the agent and be untrusting of their recommendation that another machine is actually needed or to obtain a decent/cost effective machine on his behalf (who knows if they will cream off a little bit of profit...they'll probably charge him for their time to source and replace it too!)

Unless you have spoken to him direct and he has directly told you it's your problem, you are engaging in chinese whispers through the agent as to your LLs motivation.

See if you can speak to him directly.

I've had crap landlords before who make any excuse about not being able to fix things. Every time I've told them I'm not paying any more rent until they start holding up their end of the bargain and every time it's worked. You may want to live your life as a doormat who is mugged off by grubby landlords but I don't. I mean seriously, if you order a car and it doesn't get delivered do you pay for it anyway?

sjcollett

It will be in your contract about whether the landlord definitely has to replace/ repair the washer (it is not standard that they do). If you are happy with your home perhaps it might be an idea to buy one yourself. You can buy them fairly cheap second hand