Landlord won't replace washing machine

Boozy

Hi

I know this doesn't really count as money saving as such, but i've used this forum before and had really useful advice from landlords and others so wanted to try it again.

I rent a property through a letting agent. In January the door of my washing machine started popping open mid cycle. It still worked as long as you closed the door straight away. I reported this to my letting agent who sent a contractor round to try and fix it. The problem didn't go away. Obviously i was concerned by this as if the flat was to flood i knew as tenants we would get the blame. The contractors tried to source the parts to fix the door over a number of weeks but couldn't. One contractor told me that it is an old brand of washing machine that isn't made anymore so it was impossible to get the parts. We were told by the letting agent that because the machine was physically still working they couldnt do anything.

In April i then complained about the problem again and asked for a replacement. The letting agent told me that the landlord was requesting the model number and wanted to source the parts himself, despite the contractors saying that you can't get hold of them. On 27th May i advised the letting agent that the washing machine was completely broken - water was not draining and the door would not stay closed and thus we were unable to do any washing at all. The letting agent said that they would give the landlord 7 days to respond and then order a new one. 7 days went by and the letting agent ordered a replacement machine.

10 days later i am then told by the letting agent that the landlord has emailed to say he does not want to replace the machine and so they cancelled their order. The landlord assured them he was able to source the parts. This was on 14th June and i am still waiting.

Since then all i am being told is that the parts are not in stock with the manufacturer and we have to wait. I have just been told that they should be in next week but i don't have much faith.

Is there anything i can do here? The letting agent just keep telling me there is nothing they can do. I have complained to the council but they said it is a civil matter. I am waiting for citizens advice to get back to me.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

HappyMJ

Can you afford to buy one? Go and buy one. They are only £30 second hand from the charity shop. That's probably a couple of service washes. At least you'll have a back up when this machine dies again. How have you been doing the washing since April. I would have pushed a lot harder much earlier.

Boozy

It's been broken completely since 27th May, i've been doing my washing at my boyfriends and parents places. Of course i could've bought one, but thats not really the point. Believe me i have been pushing, but not getting anywhere. What would you have done to push it a lot harder? HELP!

superted187

Sorry, but you should not listen to HappyMJ.

1. It's wholly impractical - who has the space to store a spare washing machine?
2. If you threw the old washing machine out, despite it not working, I'm sure the LL and LA would take the cost of a new one out of your deposit.
3. It is the LL's responsibility to get this sorted. I understand that their slow speed in getting this fixed is a massive inconvenience, but I haven't got the answer to getting it sorted, but I know somebody else on here will.

Is withholding rent a terrible idea?

Werdnal

Withholding rent is a bad idea - 2 wrongs don't make a right. Do not give your LL any excuse to evict you!

dcems

superted187 wrote: »

Is withholding rent a terrible idea?

Of course it is. This just gives the landlord ammunication against you.Plus, if you withold 8 weeks or more rent, the landlord can start proceedings under grounds of rent arrears-Sect 8.

It appears obvious the landlord is stalling. Any appliance that is provided as part of the tenancy is your landlord's responsibilty. Dont go and buy a machine.

See what the CAB suggest.They will def give you some good advice.

tbs624

See Shelter's "guide to getting repairs done" p16

Write to the LA, setting out a record of what has been said to date and asking them to confirm, in writing, a date by which the repair will be effected. Keep a copy of your letter

poppysarah

HappyMJ wrote: »

Can you afford to buy one? Go and buy one.

They would need to get the landlord to remove his broken machine and get rid of it and have that recorded on the inventory.
If they dispose of it themselves then the landlord would be expecting a washer there when they leave.

jjlandlord

poppysarah wrote: »

They would need to get the landlord to remove his broken machine and get rid of it and have that recorded on the inventory.
If they dispose of it themselves then the landlord would be expecting a washer there when they leave.

As long as they have the proper documentation from e.g. contractors that the machine was broken beyond repair, imo they are safe to dispose of it whatever the inventory states.
After all, unless otherwise stated on the tenancy agreement, it is the landlord's responsibility to replace it. So I would think he should be happy if the tenant decides to do his job.

I think the best course of action is to follow the procedure on the document linked to by tbs624 above.

poppysarah

jjlandlord wrote: »

As long as they have the proper documentation from e.g. contractors that the machine was broken beyond repair, imo they are safe to dispose of it whatever the inventory states.
After all, unless otherwise stated on the tenancy agreement, it is the landlord's responsibility to replace it. So I would think he should be happy if the tenant decides to do his job.

I think the best course of action is to follow the procedure on the document linked to by tbs624 above.

REPLACE means replace not throw away landlords property and then take your own when you go.

jjlandlord

poppysarah wrote: »

REPLACE means replace not throw away landlords property and then take your own when you go.

Of course. My point is that if it is broken beyond repair it has become basically worthless and replacement implies disposing of it first, which is a hassle: So even if the tenant does dispose of it himself the landlord cannot claim it has suffered any loss, imo.

Anyway, the important thing is for OP to follow the procedure mentioned above in order to pressure the landlord into replacing the machine or to be protected in case he does not and they buy a new one themselves and deduct the cost from the rent.