Private tenant broke a freezer!

nadirnwo

Hi,

Somehow I have managed to break my freezer while defrosting it. Eager to get things done, I tried scraping the ice off at the bottom and I punctured the plastic leading to gas leaking out.

I am happy to pay for replacing the unit, but as a private tenants am I obligated to meet whatever the landlord demands as his choice of a replacement or am I responsible for offering like for like compensation?

Thanks in advance!

sharp910sh

nadirnwo wrote: »

Hi,

Somehow I have managed to break my freezer while defrosting it. Eager to get things done, I tried scraping the ice off at the bottom and I punctured the plastic leading to gas leaking out.

I am happy to pay for replacing the unit, but as a private tenants am I obligated to meet whatever the landlord demands as his choice of a replacement or am I responsible for offering like for like compensation?

Thanks in advance!

You should see how much the same freezer costs brand new.

michaelvintner

Like for like or repair. Why should the landlord gain from your error but equally why should they loose.

nadirnwo

sharp910sh wrote: »

You should see how much the same freezer costs brand new.

Its quite old now. Not available new.

This is why I am not sure how to judge what I am asked to pay is fair compensation.

thelem

It's probably best to get the landlord to buy the new freezer so he's definitely happy with the purchase, but he can't ask you to pay any more than it was worth when it broke (i.e. he can't expect new-for-old).

If you did buy one yourself, then at the end of your tenancy he could insist you take it with you and charge you for purchasing his own replacement.

thelem

nadirnwo wrote: »

Its quite old now. Not available new.

This is why I am not sure how to judge what I am asked to pay is fair compensation.

What are similar freezers going for on gumtree and the like?

Have you discussed this with your landlord at all? From your first post I thought you hadn't, but now it sounds like you're querying a large bill.

boliston

I'd say a pro rata compensation would be in order based on expected life expectancy vs shortened life due to damage caused. Eg Freezer cost £500 new, with expected life of 10 years, but damaged beyond repair at 5 years would be £250 compensation to landlord.

nadirnwo

thelem wrote: »

What are similar freezers going for on gumtree and the like?

Have you discussed this with your landlord at all? From your first post I thought you hadn't, but now it sounds like you're querying a large bill.

Yes I have, but over a few emails it seems that he is expecting me to pay the bill for whatever choice he makes. Its a Zanussi 45/30 ss, from what I can find online its over 20 years old (if thats correct), they are used ones available online for £40-50£.

thelem

Is it like this one? If so, that's an unusual shape. Is he having trouble finding something else that shape? How much is he asking for?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zanussi-Combi-Fridge-Freezer-DF-45-30-SS-/221195491208?nma=true&si=GoM5Ld7P3d%252Bw00MdUBmXaEthiaE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

nadirnwo

Yes it is, exactly the same. I think thats the problem that he is looking for something similar and they arnt any available.

Strapped

I have just given one of those away!

(Drat, could've made a couple of quid )

But you're right that they're an awkward size to find. As above, you should expect to pay either for a replacement 2nd hand one or an amount (not the whole) toward a new one.

Do you have only a 90cm wide slot, or would two 50cm machines side by side fit? As there are a few brands that now make the latter.