Damage headache in rental.

vacatingstress

We are due to vacate our rental next month. We are relocating to another area.
We have never had any issues with our landlord/agent but......
A couple of weeks ago a mug fell out of the kitchen cupboard and landed on the corner of the halogen hob in the kitchen. The corner (probably 3 cms diameter) broke off. We could have glued it but decided to do the right thing and be honest. We informed the agent when they came to do a routine inspection.
The landlord is saying they want the whole hob replacing. The hob is in full working order, the damage is merely cosmetic.
We have tried to investigate what the 'law' is. We think we make should make a donation for repair or replacement.
Any advice appreciated.
Our deposit is £1200, I'm thinking a brand new Neff halogen hob will eat that.

HouseBuyer77

The landlord is not entitled to betterment, that is, they can't demand you pay for the whole of a new hob to replace an old one. Say the hob had an expected lifetime of 10 years and it's 4 years old they could only ask you to pay 60% of the cost.

You may also find a new hob is cheaper than you expect: http://ao.com/l/ceramic_hobs/1/36-37-38/#!/ceramic_hobs-neff/1-6/36-37-38/

What exactly broke off, just a piece of the glass?

ognum

vacatingstress wrote: »

We are due to vacate our rental next month. We are relocating to another area.
We have never had any issues with our landlord/agent but......
A couple of weeks ago a mug fell out of the kitchen cupboard and landed on the corner of the halogen hob in the kitchen. The corner (probably 3 cms diameter) broke off. We could have glued it but decided to do the right thing and be honest. We informed the agent when they came to do a routine inspection.
The landlord is saying they want the whole hob replacing. The hob is in full working order, the damage is merely cosmetic.
We have tried to investigate what the 'law' is. We think we make should make a donation for repair or replacement.
Any advice appreciated.
Our deposit is £1200, I'm thinking a brand new Neff halogen hob will eat that.

Do you have insurance?

G_M

As housebuyer says, you are liable for the damage and must either replace (like for like) or compensate the landlord.

But the LL cannot claim Betterment, as explained.

squeeks

If you're really worried, you can replace the hob with the same of compatible item. I'd make sure the hob is the same size as cutting worktops is a pain (if wood based) to near impossible for anything stone based.

pooja.majorgainz

You don't have to actually replace the hob into a whole new one. You can either skip to your own repairing or repair it from a cheap repairer.

vacatingstress

Thank you.
The landlord has asked for replacement or to investigate having it professionally repaired.
I have read that it may be best to let the deposit scheme decide as they are unbiased. The figures quoted to me were 10% of the original cost of the hob which was probably £300 (at least) 3 years ago. This would be £30. I'm not going to find anybody to professionally repair it for that.
Does anybody know if this advice about the deposit scheme sounds accurate?

HouseBuyer77

I'd be careful with replacing/repairing it off your own back. You might end up paying out for something, the LL saying they are not satisifed with it and ending up paying for another replacement. Only go ahead with that if you get an agreement from your LL in writing that what you suggest is a suitable fix/replacement.

I did have a quick look around on the net and it seems replacing the glass on a ceramic hob is more trouble than it's worth (the glass is so expensive you may as well buy a new unit).

vacatingstress

Just the corner, probably the size of a 10p coin.

Vincent.waldorf

I'm sorry but I had to write something. You broke someones expensive cooker and you dont expect to replace it. If someone smashed your car window would you expect him to say "oops" your glass was dirty so I'll give you a tenner to replace?

Just replace it or compensate him...

EDIT: you have said it works when you use it but what happens when the next person uses it but spills liquid and it falls below the glass. you have made it useless if you want to do any real cooking (imagine boiling milk and it pouring over the sides) how will you clean the grease as well).

He gave you his house to live in problem free and now you break something but dont want to pay ... dispicable.

ceo211

Do you have insurance?