landlords washing machine damaging clothes

wilsysir

Hi there I live in a rented flat the estate agent clyde property is the agent for a private landlord. The property was let as unfurnished but came with some white goods like a fridge freezer and washing machine and some furniture. Recently the washing machine has developed a problem where it makes a racket and it is now starting to damage clothes. I have contacted the property manager from clyde 3 times about this. Where do I stand regarding compensation for clothes a quick estimate is about £400 worth and getting a replacement washing machine? Any help or advice is very welcome!
Thanks wilsysir

Guest101

Is the washing machine named on the tenancy and/or the inventory? Would depend on basically if the LL is providing it as good working order.

As for compensation, I doubt you'd get much. Perhaps a courtesy £50 if the LL is nice? But gettign a replacement would depend on if it came as part of your agreement.

Personally I never accept the white goods unless they're less then 5 years old, with extended warranties. If that's a deal breaker for the LL so be it. Can be so much hassle

jc808

Not on the inventory? Not a chance.

On the inventory? Still not a chance - your bad call for using it when its got something wrong with it... (Although presuming it's not been misused by you then you would likely get a replacement washer)

G_M

Is this in Scotland?

When the washing machine first started 'making a racket', did you

a) stop using it and
b) report the problem in writing to the address "for the serving of notices"? (sorry - that applies in England)

lessonlearned

Have you tried a mesh laundry net. Argos, ebay etc.

Werdnal

But is it "the landlord's washing machine" or just a washing machine left behind in an otherwise unfurnished property by a previous tenant? All depends on the inventory, and what the tenancy agreement says about the repairing of appliances.

£400 worth of clothing - you must have some very expensive tastes in fashion?

BitterAndTwisted

If it's making a racket it's usually a sign that the bearings are about to fail. Stop using it and report it as faulty to the landlord. I doubt you've got a cat's chance in hell of getting any compo.

ognum

If this machine is included in your tenancy your expectations are that you have a washing machine in good working order and if it breaks it is repaired in a timely manner.

As a landlord my expectations of you are

that you report it when there is a problem in writing to either me or my agent. if the agents is not helping do you have a contact number for the landlord?

You do not use it after you have reported it as this could damage the machine further and your clothes

I think you need to contact either the landlord or agent again, I personally do not believe you should receive compensation for your clothes, your clothes even though they may have been very expensive when you purchased them have little or no value when used and you should not have continued to use the machine.

Ivana_Tinkle

If the clothes are genuinely worth £400, and were all damaged in one go (rather than because you kept on using the machine after you knew it was faulty) it might be worth checking if you can claim for accidental damage on your contents insurance.

wilsysir

Oik thanks everyone (although not really answers I was hoping to hear Had hoped to hear that I would be covered)
Ah well would I be likely to be covered by contents insurance for clothes?
or am I just going to be out of pocket?

So if it is the landlords wahing machine and on the inventory (I will need to check the agreement and inventory) and they dont replace it straightaway what should I do? Do I just have to walk around in smelly clothes?

G_M

wilsysir wrote: »

Oik thanks everyone (although not really answers I was hoping to hear Had hoped to hear that I would be covered)
Ah well would I be likely to be covered by contents insurance for clothes?
or am I just going to be out of pocket?

So if it is the landlords wahing machine and on the inventory (I will need to check the agreement and inventory) and they dont replace it straightaway what should I do? Do I just have to walk around in smelly clothes?

answer the Qs asked, and you'll get meaningful answers!

IF this is England, and IF the machine belongs to the LL and is on the inventory, and IF the tenancy agremeement states he will maintain it, then he should repair/replace it in a "reasonable" timeframe, once you have reported it in writing at "the address for the serving of notices"

.....

Landlord & Tenant Act 1985

11 Repairing obligations in short leases.
(1)In a lease to which this section applies (as to which, see sections 13 and 14) there is implied a covenant by the lessor—

(a)to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the dwelling-house (including drains, gutters and external pipes),

(b)to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling-house for the supply of water, gas and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences, but not other fixtures, fittings and appliances for making use of the supply of water, gas or electricity), and

(c)to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling-house for space heating and heating water

.