Landlord duty to replace broken items

aldredd

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I can't believe that a tenant would ask their landlord to replace such a thing! It's possible that it's been broken through mis-use rather than old age, in which case it's the tenant's responsibility to replace it or suffer a deduction from their deposit.

If it's not on the dual-signed check-in inventory then do not replace. It's my feeling that if you replace this you will be asked to pop round and wipe their bums quite soon. Some tenants know when they have a newby or inexperienced landlord and are able to play them like fiddles.

What a spiteful post!

If a piece of equipment failed in a property I was renting - and I knew it was not of my own doing (in which case I would absolutely resolve it myself) then my first port of call would always be the LL - for a start it's in the contract to inform them of any such issues, and secondly I'd work on the principle that if the LL put it there, they did so for a reason.

Of course if he chooses not to replace - his choice, and if it was a small thing I'd just replace it myself anyway - but yes, I would go and speak to the LL first.

poppysarah

It would be silly not to.

mxh

Enfieldian wrote: »

Don't replace it but charge them for a new one when they leave.

Is that really what you meant to say? I'd hate to be one of your tenants if it is!!

Annabee

I think he or she was being ironic. I hope so anyway!

fishpond

WestonDave wrote: »

Bigger picture time - if its not on the inventory then arguably you wouldn't have to replace it as its not part of the contract - but - if you don't replace it and she starts drying stuff indoors with consequences like mould and condensation damp you may end up with bigger costs. At least if you spend £40 getting a new one and she has damp inside due to drying clothes you have something to chuck at her. Get one, get her to sign for it as being supplied and that she accepts responsibility for returning it in good condition when she leaves.

Agree with this, even though £40 seems a bit steep.
Also how long into the contract? You may want to increase the rent slightly to offset the cost of supplying it.

Dazedandconfused

I would on the basis that she could cause condensation / mould during clothes inside which would cost more than the new one

Old_Git

sounds like my high maintenance tenant who wanted me to get an electrician round because the light bulb was flickering .

wannabe_credit_free

A good landlord would replace it. I am a landlord and I would replace it.
If the tenant breaks anything then they replace it. If its fair wear and tear, then I replace it.

I strive to treat my tenants the way I would like to be treated myself. Tenants pay good money and should get the good service they are paying for IMO...

tangojulie

I'd want to know what exactly is broken and how it came to break. If it's rusted through or died of old age then I'd replace it. If it's collapsed because the tenant hung something too heavy (like a wet duvet) on it or otherwise misused it, then the tenant should replace it.

Fortunately most of my tenants have been responsible, reasonable people and for them I'd just have replaced something like this without question. If they admitted to gross misuse I might ask them to share the cost. My last tenant, however, has broken loads of things (and never paid any rent) so I certainly wouldn't be replacing it till she left.

benjus

A landlord's only legal responsibility regarding repairs etc. is to the fabric of the building and essential services like heating, hot water etc.

You may or may not have agreed to additional contractual responsibilities in your tenancy agreement.

Personally I don't think tenants should have to spend money on replacing things that will be left in the property for the benefit of the landlord/future tenants - unless they caused the thing to break through their own actions or negligence. Regardless of what's in the contract and inventory, if you have good tenants I think it's worth keeping them happy.