Washing machine in rental property

ESXJedi

Dear people of moneysavingexpert,

A friend introduced me to this forum as a means to try and figure out whether or not i have a leg to stand on with regards to a rental property issue.

Can someone shed any light on whether i have a case with the agency with regards to the following?

While viewing a rental property in July, when we asked the agent whether a washing machine was part of the property, she categorically said yes.

However having signed the tenancy agreement, we got the keys last Friday and when we walked in, the washing machine has vanished leaving a gaping hole?

We did not receive the inventory until yesterday, to which the washing machine is not listed as part of the property. Compounding what the agency has been stating since we first raised the issue, that the washing machine was never included.

The agent who showed us round the property clearly mislead us to believe the flat came with one.

Since moving in, we have discovered an instruction manual for a Zanussi washing machine within the documentation left with the house, matching the Zanussi fridge/freezer and cooker / hob.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

N79

Clearly you have a verbal contract with the LL for the supply of a washing machine.

Unfortunately there is a saying that verbal contracts are not worth the paper they are written on.

You should write to the agent stating the above and requesting a washing machine - but if the agent says that you misunderstood during the viewing (or denies even mentioning a washing machine) then I fear there is little practical action you can take.

I'm afraid the likely outcome is to chalk this up as an expensive mistake that you won't make next time...... In the meantime you could search local adverts for a low cost second hand washing machine.

Wyndham

I think unless you have something in writing to say it would be there, you really won't get very far. Lesson learnt is to ask for a copy of the inventory before you finally sign everything, but this isn't always easy. Another lesson learnt is to have followed up with, say, an email, to double check that the washing machine was included, and then you'd have something in writing as a reply.

Some rental properties include one, some don't. That's just how it is, I'm afraid.

ESXJedi

Thanks for your advice.

If i cannot get one to magically appear within the flat, then it's an expensive lesson learned.

I'll put this down to my naivity of being a first time renter, and add this to the big book of lessons i've already begun compiling since last Friday.

EmzJenks

Hey

As a serial renter here's some stuff I've learned;

1) Never ever sign the contract until you've seen the inventory. The number of times there is stuff in there that is just plain wrong & if you've already signed the contract there is nothing you can do about them!

2) Always really check over the inventory when you get it, and ask for access to the property and go over every single point. Takes time yes, but you'll be happier in the long run.

3) I've found that the least amount of contact I can have with the agencies the better. Getting inspected every 3 months is pain enough without calling them out for the smallest of things. Others might disagree on this one, but I say if something small goes wrong just get it fixed. I prefer to think of my house, rented or not, as MY house.

4) Always smile when you see them, goes along way!

Good luck!

Mr_Moo_2

Get yourself onto Freecycle or local house clearance shops for a cheap second hand machine, in the meantime you are the best customer for your local launderette. Good luck.

BitterAndTwisted

You don't have "a case" with the agency and never will. Your issue is with the landlord, who may have intimated that the w/m was going to remain where it was and has now changed their mind. OR the w/m actually belonged to the previous tenants who have taken it with them and the agent didn't inspect the check-in inventory and consequently made an incorrect assumption. These sorts of miscommunications happen all the time.

franklee

To put it kindly I have found that letting agents have appalling memories, somewhat less than goldfish

Best thing is to put everything in writing. As my landlord's letting agent uses email (and you'd need to check they read it) I tend to use email for all but formal notices when good old paper is needed or if in doubt use paper. Say a short note giving dates/times of what happened and who you spoke to by name. So something like "Dear Sharon, Thank you for showing me round 1 Totleigh Towers on 1st April 2012. As discussed I've offered 795pcm in rent which as you explained includes the shiny washing machine, fridge freezer and all the curtains with the landlord to maintain all white goods he supplies. You confirmed that the landlord will remove the shabby old bed, wardrobe, piano and that it's permitted for me to keep goldfish. Please confirm receipt of this letter/email. Best wishes Harry S. Ment".

Same for repairs, report by phone if you want but always confirm what was said in writing again giving dates/times names. That way if the repair isn't done you have the history to assist any complaint and to prove it wasn't your fault.

I agree with the above comments about going over the inventory etc.

MiniSis

You can good good washing machines from second hand appliance shops. That's what I have done, it was less than £100 and is perfectly good and looks nice too.