Tenants broke ceramic hob

LL_16

Hi everyone,

My tenants accidentally smashed a glass jar on the glass ceramic hob. It has caused a few small hairline cracks. Having read up on this and also through the advice of an engineer, I have accepted it will need repairing or replacing. If it was purely cosmetic damage that didn't affect the safety of the hob in question, I really would have let it go just by deducting a small sum from the deposit.

As there are clear hazards associating with cracks, I'm wondering now what do I make the tenants replace it with? Is it fair to ask them to replace it with a BOSCH hob as is currently installed? They cost around £250.

The other option is to repair the glass. But we're looking at around £300 for that model of hob.

Stressed - help!

Thank you!

anselld

Like for like replacement is fair, but you would need to make an allowance for the age of the existing hob; you cannot expect "new for old".

Do you have accidental damage on your Landlord insurance? If so you could claim and ask T to pay the excess.

KingS6

Hello.

Do you have proof that the tenants have caused the damage? Do photographs from check in/ the inventory show the difference?

I appreciate hairline cracks may be hard to pick up on camera. It's just if you decided to deduct the amount from the deposit. Be prepared for the tenants to object, especially when they find out how much it's going to cost. Have they admitted that they caused the damage?

Did you get a second opinion from another engineer? If you have new tenants in, you don't want them suing you for injury. May be a good idea to replace anyway.

Do you deal direct or are you using LA?

AnotherJoe

I've got an induction hob, same sort of thing, quite fragile, too prone to even minor drops. I wouldn't have one in a house I was letting out, I'd have gas which is bullet proof.
I'd have thought this ought to be governed by your insurance policy. I claimed on mine when I dropped something on it and broke it. That's was £500 !

Given its so fragile and its your choice to have it, I would pay and warn them that next time they will have to pay, but I'd also consider replacing it with a gas hob instead.

unforeseen

KingS6 wrote: »

Hello.

Do you have proof that the tenants have caused the damage?

Based on

My tenants accidentally smashed a glass jar on the glass ceramic hob

it sounds like the tenants have admitted it

KingS6

unforeseen wrote: »

Based on
it sounds like the tenants have admitted it

As in preferably written proof that they have admitted it. Not just as part of a spoken conversation. The OP hasn't disclosed how they've admitted they accidently smashed a jar against it. Was it via the tenants themselves or did the LA tell them, if there was one?

marksoton

Why oh why do LL's have these units in let properties?

If i were to rent i'd discount any property with one. For everyone's sake. I know they're easy clean but come on....

G_M

If it is currently a Bosch you replace it with a Bosch.

Or with the tenants' agreement you could switch to something more sturdy than a glass ceramic hob and charge them for that instead (written consent or signed amended inventory).

FBaby

Why oh why do LL's have these units in let properties?

If i were to rent i'd discount any property with one. For everyone's sake. I know they're easy clean but come on....

Maybe because tenants like them just like home owners do? Maybe because most tenants will treat it with care just like home owners do?

teddysmum

AnotherJoe wrote: »

I've got an induction hob, same sort of thing, quite fragile, too prone to even minor drops. I wouldn't have one in a house I was letting out, I'd have gas which is bullet proof.
I'd have thought this ought to be governed by your insurance policy. I claimed on mine when I dropped something on it and broke it. That's was £500 !

Given its so fragile and its your choice to have it, I would pay and warn them that next time they will have to pay, but I'd also consider replacing it with a gas hob instead.

I have one of the original (it's a prototype) halogen ceramic hobs on my cooker and it's survived many a knock. The only damage is a slight wearing of the ring markings, after more than 25 years.


The danger with gas is that someone could leave the ring lit and the flame be blown out, causing a gas escape. My late father did this a number of times; hence his going to a care home for his and others safety.


I would think an electric hob would be much safer and some ceramic hobs are much cheaper than gas ones.

KingS6

teddysmum wrote: »

I have one of the original (it's a prototype) halogen ceramic hobs on my cooker and it's survived many a knock. The only damage is a slight wearing of the ring markings, after more than 25 years.


The danger with gas is that someone could leave the ring lit and the flame be blown out, causing a gas escape. My late father did this a number of times; hence his going to a care home for his and others safety.


I would think an electric hob would be much safer and some ceramic hobs are much cheaper than gas ones.

All of this is assuming the property has a gas supply if going for gas hobs.

Electric hobs carry there own inherent risks too. As they take ages to cool down with less visible signs that they are still hot.

Are gas hobs cheaper to run too?