rented studio-fridge dilemma with landlord

aerobas77

Hi
I m not sure if this is the right department to post this but I hope someone can help me.

So I ve moved into this studio yesterday. I ve still got a few things to unpack . I brought some food from the flat that I ve moved out from.
I knew that the fridge was smaller(suitable for a single person)but the previous tenant did not defrost the freezer. There is ice everywere(It a smal slot for a freezer) but the ice is so thicke that I can t even close the door on the freezer department.
So I m not able to store the food I have. I had to throw it away because (chicken and bag of mixed vegetables)I don t want to risk bing sick because the food is not frozen anymore.
So my first instinct was to contact the landlord. the reception was realy poor, the connection broke. I have sent him text explaining the situation and complaining about the state of the fridge as left by previous tenatn. No reply.
I m seriously considering buying a proper fridge- freezer .How long should I wait before contacting the andlord again?
If I were to buy a freezer , would I be able to deduct this from my rent?
by the way this studio was advertised as furnished.

emmatthews

You could have just left the chicken to defrost and then eaten it? I don't think the landlord will be concerned about a bag of mixed veg in all honesty.

Others may know better than me, but you presumably saw and accepted the flat furnished as it now is? If that is the case then you can buy a fridge freezer, but your landlord is highly unlikely to pay for it.

Annoying it may be, but it really doesn't take long to defrost a freezer compartment and clean a fridge.

Werdnal

I agree - chicken and veg for lunch tomorrow, and leave freezer turned off for a couple of hours to defrost, then switch on again ready to use. Fridge/freezer is obviously working properly, so LL has no obligation to replace. If you want to buy a larger one for yourself that is your choice, but LL will not pay for it.

orangeslimes

Probably should have been defrosted before you moved in, but don't see why the landlord would be obliged to buy a new one - it just needs defrosted, its not that it doesn't work.

Annoying about the food, but I don't see you having much recourse.

aerobas77

Ok . I viewed the property a month ago when to previous tenant still lived there. Obviously he had food in frdige but I was just expecting the firdge to be left cleaned, especially since it it stated in my contract.Anyway I guess I'm still stressed about moving /setlling in new place.
Thanks for you help

franklee

aerobas77 wrote: »

I was just expecting the firdge to be left cleaned, especially since it it stated in my contract.

I don't agree with the others. You should report in writing to the landlord all instances where the condition, cleanliness etc. of anything differs from the inventory. This is to protect you from being accused of damage or of leaving things in worse condition than at tenancy start and to make sure there are no unfair deductions from your deposit when you leave. The defrosting and uncleaned fridge is worth reporting as it shows the landlord didn't do a proper inspection when compiling the inventory which can only help you if there are any disputes when you leave.

G_M

This has to be a joke yes?

The fridge needed defrosting? Unplug and defrost.

Your chicken thawed? Eat it.

No loo roll in the toilet? Ah, now you have a real complaint - write to the landlord.

Tiddlywinks

You have overreacted and not really started off well with your new LL - he must now be dreading your next call!

Yes, the fridge should have been defrosted and it may well have been in between tenants but when left empty and set on a high setting may have frosted up again.

You could have cooked the food and had it cold that day or the next - did you have to jump off the deep end and call the LL about it?

As to buying a new appliance - do so at your own expense if you want to but don't expect your LL to chip in... you knew the size of the fridge before you moved in so all that has changed is the need for some chipping away of a bit of ice - get a grip!

franklee

aerobas77 wrote: »

I was just expecting the firdge to be left cleaned, especially since it it stated in my contract.

Disagreement about how clean a place is are common reasons for dispute over deposit return. If an inventory says something was cleaned and it wasn't then of course the tenant should report that in writing! A tenant has to return the property in the state it was in at the start of the tenancy (less fair w&t) - not better. If the starting position isn't accurately documented, if the inventory states things were clean when they weren't the tenant is setting themselves up for deposit deductions that they have no defence against. The way for to deal with this is to mark it up in the inventory - along with any other discrepancies - and give a written copy to the landlord in the first couple of weeks of the tenancy.

jamie11

As to buying a new appliance - do so at your own expense if you want to but don't expect your LL to chip in... you knew the size of the fridge before you moved in so all that has changed is the need for some chipping away of a bit of ice - get a grip!

Don't chip at it! That's a surefire way to damage it. Just place a bowl of hot water under the ice box to help the defrosting along.

Now where's that recipe book? Coronation chicken anyone?

heathcote123

G_M wrote: »

This has to be a joke yes?

The fridge needed defrosting? Unplug and defrost.

Your chicken thawed? Eat it.

No loo roll in the toilet? Ah, now you have a real complaint - write to the landlord.

The landlord should be held responsible for the proportonal cost of a chicken. He can pay up next time he's coming round to change the lightbulb.