11 Days Without a Washing Machine

GrimJam

Partly, I'm here to complain, but I'd also like to see what everyone here would do. Here's my situation:

Day 0: Washing machine breaks while running
Day 1: Called the Estate Agent to report it
Day 2: Contractor visits, leaves a note saying he'll report back to EE
Day 4: Called EE to ask what happened, why I hadn't been informed. They said the Landlord has to approve purchases over £100, but he's on holiday and hasn't responded. Told it should be resolved by Day 8 at the latest.
Day 6: Washing clothes by hand
Day 8: Another call to EE. "Someone will call you back". More hand-washing of clothes
Day 9: Another call to EE, as nobody called me back. Same story.
Day 10: My partner goes to the Estate Agents' office. Same story. Say they've emailed again but cannot disturb LL.
Day 11... is tomorrow.

Our current plan is to bombard the EE with daily calls, and maybe to go to launderettes and since invoices. Surely this man's "right to privacy" cannot trump my right to have a washing machine in the flat, which is an implicit term of the rental agreement.

Southend1

You're being totally unreasonable. It's a washing machine!! How do you think people managed before they became widely owned in the 1960s and 70s?? Go to the launderette if you have washing to do. Leave the LL to his holiday and wait for him to return.

fishpond

As posted above.
Or, you could always buy a new one, and take it with you when you leave.:)
Leaving the old one in place when you leave, but write and date a letter to EA's soonest with an full explanation, leaving a copy in the property for the LL (if you do not manage to speak to him before you vacate).

car0line123

You are not being unreasonable! Sadly, I can't give you any legal advice, and it seems that LL can get away with out of order washing machines, replacing heating and hot water with a kettle for a few weeks. This is disgraceful.

It is not the point how cave men managed to wash their fur in the past (and last century, you could access communal lavoirs which don't exist anymore) we are in 2015 and expect things in working order. Public launderette are disgusting, and I would not wash my babies clothes in them.

I bet the LL will moan if you hand wash and let the clothes dry in your space, without spin, they will create far more humidity, and he will be the first to complain.

If I could not get my own machine fixed within 3 days, I would buy a new one, too much laundry in my home to wait any longer. I would expect the LL to do the same.

Good luck, I hope it gets resolved, because it is truly ridiculous.

baldelectrician

fishpond wrote: »

As posted above.
Or, you could always buy a new one, and take it with you when you leave.:)

The point may be that the landlord has provided a washing machine as part of the rental agreement and is therefore liable to maintain it


Depending on where you live you have different courses of recourse
If you live in Scotland you can approach the Private Renting Housing Panel
http://www.prhpscotland.gov.uk/prhp/1.html

tea-bag

You have a washing machine does it state working order in the tenancy?

This is why I always let a flat UNFURNISHED!

Be warned future landlords!

fishpond

baldelectrician wrote: »

The point may be that the landlord has provided a washing machine as part of the rental agreement and is therefore liable to maintain it

Depending on where you live you have different courses of recourse
If you live in Scotland you can approach the Private Renting Housing Panel
http://www.prhpscotland.gov.uk/prhp/1.html

Or not, as the case may be.

fishpond

tea-bag wrote: »

You have a washing machine does it state working order in the tenancy?

This is why I always let a flat UNFURNISHED!

Be warned future landlords!

Also current ones.:eek:

wiogs

car0line123 wrote: »

You are not being unreasonable! Sadly, I can't give you any legal advice, and it seems that LL can get away with out of order washing machines, replacing heating and hot water with a kettle for a few weeks. This is disgraceful.

It is not the point how cave men managed to wash their fur in the past (and last century, you could access communal lavoirs which don't exist anymore) we are in 2015 and expect things in working order. Public launderette are disgusting, and I would not wash my babies clothes in them.

I bet the LL will moan if you hand wash and let the clothes dry in your space, without spin, they will create far more humidity, and he will be the first to complain.

If I could not get my own machine fixed within 3 days, I would buy a new one, too much laundry in my home to wait any longer. I would expect the LL to do the same.

Good luck, I hope it gets resolved, because it is truly ridiculous.

They aren't but don't let that stop your petty minded prejudice.

Southend1

car0line123 wrote: »

You are not being unreasonable! Sadly, I can't give you any legal advice, and it seems that LL can get away with out of order washing machines, replacing heating and hot water with a kettle for a few weeks. This is disgraceful.

It is not the point how cave men managed to wash their fur in the past (and last century, you could access communal lavoirs which don't exist anymore) we are in 2015 and expect things in working order. Public launderette are disgusting, and I would not wash my babies clothes in them.

I bet the LL will moan if you hand wash and let the clothes dry in your space, without spin, they will create far more humidity, and he will be the first to complain.

If I could not get my own machine fixed within 3 days, I would buy a new one, too much laundry in my home to wait any longer. I would expect the LL to do the same.

Good luck, I hope it gets resolved, because it is truly ridiculous.

I despair at what the world has come to when people can't manage without a washing machine for 3 (or even 11!) days!

You can't expect someone to cut short a holiday because of something that is mildly inconveniencing you.

Be patient!

ognum

Southend1 wrote: »

I despair at what the world has come to when people can't manage without a washing machine for 3 (or even 11!) days!

You can't expect someone to cut short a holiday because of something that is mildly inconveniencing you.

Be patient!

If the LL is not available by phone or email for 11 days he should have agreed with the letting agents that they can make decisions on his behalf.

I agree laundrettes are fine, I have used them when having a kitchen rebuilt for 3 months it was OK but it was my choice!

As a LL I think you should have received better treatment and more respect!