Washing machine broken - Is landlord liable for costs associated (inside)

Gray-Fox

I live in a houseshare with 4 others. The washing machine has just broken. My white clothes have emerged with a rusty tint in them (ruining them) and I've spent £10 on launderette fees today. He says he will get it sorted within four weeks.

Is my landlord liable for any costs I incur because the washing machine is broken?

Kynthia

Unlikely. A washing machine is not an essential that he must provide like heating, hot water and bathroom facilities.

G_M

What does your tenancy agreement say about repairs to w/machine or white goods?
If it says LL will repair, then....
If it says tenant must repair, then....
If it says nothing, then assuming the w/machine was provided by the LL and is on the inventory, there is an implied liability for the LL to repair.

Have you tried cleaning it though? Run it at maximum temperature, with no clothes, but with some (cheap) vinigar inside. Also clean the filter. And check the rubber washer round the door (clean with a cloth and drop of washing up liquid).

A 'rusty tint' does not sound like a w/machine fault. It sounds like either dirt, (see above) or mixing coloured clothes with whites on a hot wash!

Gray-Fox

No, it's completely broken lol. The rusty tint is just an offshoot of the problem. THe spin doesn't work, and it doesn't drain water. When it DID spin last week it was noisy as hell.

Tiddlywinks

Gray-Fox wrote: »

No, it's completely broken lol. The rusty tint is just an offshoot of the problem. THe spin doesn't work, and it doesn't drain water. When it DID spin last week it was noisy as hell.

So, it made noises like it was faulty yet you still used it?

Too late this time BUT, generally, if something starts to sound 'different' then it's time to check it out rather than keep using it until it completely stops working. Otherwise, the LL could accuse you of lacking in care.

Back to your query, why will it take 4 weeks to repair? What does your contract say about the provision and maintenance of white goods?

G_M

What does your tenancy agreement say about repairs to w/machine or white goods?
If it says LL will repair, then....
If it says tenant must repair, then....
If it says nothing, then assuming the w/machine was provided by the LL and is on the inventory, there is an implied liability for the LL to repair.

Assuming the LL is responsible (not necessarily the case) then he has an obligation to fix/replace it within a 'reasonable' timeframe. Reasonable of course varies according to circumstances. A washing machine is hardly an essential (like a flushing loo for instance) and in the meantime there are alternatives.

You could certainly try asking for compensation (eg your launderette costs - but don't forget to deduct the saving you are making meanwhile on your electricity bill etc!) but
a) he may refuse and
b) he may even consider this petty or even vexatious - and wonder if you are the sort of tenant he wants when your fixed term ends.....

If he refuses, you could fight him via the small claims court, where you would have, I guess, a 50/50 chance of winning.

And then a 100% chance of getting a S21 Notice.

Gray-Fox

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

So, it made noises like it was faulty yet you still used it?

Too late this time BUT, generally, if something starts to sound 'different' then it's time to check it out rather than keep using it until it completely stops working. Otherwise, the LL could accuse you of lacking in care.

Back to your query, why will it take 4 weeks to repair? What does your contract say about the provision and maintenance of white goods?

1. It made noises and my other four housemates continued to use it. The LL knows/knew about the issues and the continued usage was at his behest.

2. See above.

3. 4 weeks because that's when my landlord says he will have the money and/or time to get it sorted. He's an idiotic LL, something which has become apparent of late.

Gray-Fox

G_M wrote: »

What does your tenancy agreement say about repairs to w/machine or white goods?
If it says LL will repair, then....
If it says tenant must repair, then....
If it says nothing, then assuming the w/machine was provided by the LL and is on the inventory, there is an implied liability for the LL to repair.

It doesn't say anything about white goods IIRC.