Inventory items-who is responsible for repair/replacing them?

shopaholicno1

We are renting and the vacuum and dishwasher have both broken...well the vacuum blew up on us!

Anyway, the landlords have been for months ignoring us about needing a new vacuum, and they say via the letting agents the dishwasher was left as a 'good will gesture' but both items are in the inventory-where do we stand?

G_M

This is decided either by statute (Act of Parliament) or contract.

The Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 says

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.

so that leaves contract.

What does your tenancy agreement say?

shopaholicno1

I can't find it to hand-will check with my husband when he gets home where he filed it.
Thanks

Shopper81

If the dishwasher was left as a 'goodwill gesture' then that certainly contradicts it being in the inventory! When I first let out my property my (then) agent advised me to 'sell' the items of furniture /appliances that I was happy to leave but not replace so I sold them to him for £1 so they were then effectively his responsibility. I was in effect giving them.


I agree check tenancy agreement but I would say landlord should probably repair or replace a large applicance listed on inventory (unless it has been damaged by you).


In the past 12 months have bought new carpets, new fridge freezer and a new boiler for my property that I let out and all items while same tenant is in there!

G_M

Shopper81 wrote: »

I agree check tenancy agreement but I would say landlord should probably repair or replace a large applicance listed on inventory (unless it has been damaged by you).
Putting aside the difficulty of defining a 'large' and 'small' appliance, what legal distinction is there in contract law, statute, or common law?

In the past 12 months have bought new carpets, new fridge freezer and a new boiler for my property that I let out and all items while same tenant is in there!

What you choose to buy/replace/repair as a landlord is not the same as what the law requires you to buy/replace/repair.

Letting property is a business, and in any business customer service is important. It often makes business sense to provide better service than the minimum required by law.