rental house / washing machine / pls help

roadsidetree

Hi,

Recently my OH moved into a house in Luton. during the first view of the property, OH noticed that washing machine was not there. at that time agent said it will be provided by the landlord. unfortunately we did not get this in writing. OH went ahead and signed contract.

now agency is saying that the landlord is not willing to provide washing machine. instead they are giving 2 options -

- rent the machine or
- buy a refurbhished one for £80 with 6 months guarantee

OH is likely to be there only for the next 6 months or so.

is there any point in pressing landlord for washing machine? we are confused what to do We just want to go for economical, peace-of-mind option.

Any suggestions please?

Tassotti

Was an inventory signed? Was the W/M on it?

Dead_Eye_Jones

just invite OH to bring washing round to your place cos you're nice like that !

but seriously, sounds like you're not in a great position, its always putting some pressure on the LL, they may be weak and give in easily. But realistically Id hope there is a laundrette nearby...

lazy_girl

yep. if it's not on the inventory there's no obligation to provide one.

otherwise look in the local paper for one - there's several offered every week in ours, even at £50 it's cheaper than a laundrette. i wouldn't pay £80 for a second hand one, even if it did come with a guarantee, you can get new ones for not much more. if your OH is really stuck for cash, join the local freecycle list and get one for free, though you may have to wait a few weeks.

scrummy_mummy_2

If you rent a place through an agent and the agent gives you duff gen...the agent is liable. Exactly the same as if an estate agent tells you that a room is 15 feet long when it is only 10...property misdescriptions act.
The agent is acting on behalf of the landlord and should not have told the prospective tenant that a washing machine would be supplied unless they had it in writing that one would be...he should have said that he would check with the landlord and revert unless he was absolutely sure that one would be provided.
If you want to get shirty...the verbal contract with the agent is binding and the agent can be sued for the cost of the item (to rent one) if that was one of the key deciding factors in why you chose the property....they will deny that this is the case, but it is absolutely fact.
Depends how shirty you want to get and if you REALLY want to take them on...for the sake of 6 months???

real1314

Best thing to do might be writing a letter to the agents about what's happened, i.e at the viewing you advised that the landlord would provide a washing machine, however none has been provided, can you please explain why.

see what reply you get - if they say "sorry, we made a mistake" then you've got some proof of a verbal agreement, however I'm not sure if this would really stand up in court as it's not in the tenancy. It might be that they would claim that it would have been subject to negotiation.

rosysparkle

PMA doesn't apply to rental property.

It will be your word against the agents about whether it was definitely stated that a washing machine would be provided.

I would ask the landlord again if he will provide a w/m or contribute to the cost, but if he won't, you will have to manage without or buy/rent one.