Suicidal washing machine caused property damage, how to proceed?

eddddy

Naf wrote: »

...our case is with their property damage team - that side of stuff is all right (pending technician visit to confirm it's a manufacturing fault) albeit slow given the time of year.

My main concern is about getting quotes for replacing kitchen units (they've advised me to start) and what I should be looking for...

Don't raise your hopes on this.

Their Customer Service / Property Damage team are likely to say 'nice things' to placate you, until they have assessed the situation and decided on their 'formal response'.

Their 'formal response' is likely to be much less 'nice' - it might even be a denial of all responsibility.


But assuming that the retailer does agree to do some repair / replacement of the landlords possessions, it would be best to make sure that the landlord agrees to the proposed repair / replacement.

I can see you getting stuck in the middle - with the retailer's best offer being unacceptable to your landlord - leaving you potentially liable to your landlord.

meer53

Nothing makes sense ? A Pumpkin and a Xmas tablecloth ? Why the concern about the cost of replacing the units if it's rented ? Wouldn't the Landlord choose the units ? Washing up can be done in a sink, honest. Costs for travel ?

unholyangel

meer53 wrote: »

Nothing makes sense ? A Pumpkin and a Xmas tablecloth ? Why the concern about the cost of replacing the units if it's rented ? Wouldn't the Landlord choose the units ? Washing up can be done in a sink, honest. Costs for travel ?

Because generally if you (or your appliances) cause damage to your rented accommodation, the LL will hold you liable for it.

Naf

So I can update this to shut the cynics up, as well as looking for advice related to my original questions and a couple of new ones.

We got the technician's report that confirmed this is definitely not our fault. It was caused by a manufacturing defect, and actually puts the manufacturer at fault, not just parts failure. Important bits simply weren't fitted at the factory.

Secondly Currys' team have accepted the reports from our electrician and joiner, and confirmed they're happy for us to get quotes for replacement as opposed to repair.

So, with that in mind my main original question stands about getting quotes. Does our (and indeed the landlord's) preference for looks and reputation etc. have a pace in this. Not to try and get some ridiculously extravagant thing fitted, but for example if the cheapest option was dark and glossy, are we reasonable in saying that's not a suitable replacement and pricing up something aesthetically similar? Understand that because I've never been through this (and want to get it done fast) I'm potentially anticipating problems that might not occur - but I just want to be prepared.

Next thing is that they're, unsurprisingly, cagey about paying anything for our time spent on this. At the very least I should be able to be paid for replacing the dishwasher pipe instead of calling in a repair man for it, shouldn't I? Any ideas how I can approach that?

The other thing now is about how I might negotiate with them. I'm sure some of you will disagree, but since this is now a matter of negligence on the part of the manufacturer, I think they ought to compensate us some more by way of an apology. I have a couple of ideas, but I'm wondering if anyone has advice/experience about how to approach them about it? Should I keep at it through Currys, or contact the manufacturer directly and separately?

baza52

just tell us all what you actually want from them, it will save a lot of guesswork

custardy

I think you are selling yourself short.
The manufacturer,retailer and we should all chuck a tenner in too.

Gavin83

Naf wrote: »

So, with that in mind my main original question stands about getting quotes. Does our (and indeed the landlord's) preference for looks and reputation etc. have a pace in this. Not to try and get some ridiculously extravagant thing fitted, but for example if the cheapest option was dark and glossy, are we reasonable in saying that's not a suitable replacement and pricing up something aesthetically similar? Understand that because I've never been through this (and want to get it done fast) I'm potentially anticipating problems that might not occur - but I just want to be prepared.

They're seemingly happy for you to go away and get quotes and therefore I suspect you've got a level of freedom is selecting what you want. However be aware they're only obliged to put you back in the position you were in before. If they feel you're taking the pee and ordering something far better (and thus more expensive) than what you originally had they're likely to clam up.

However you need to consider in the first instance it's your landlords choice so you need to speak to them. They may be happy for you to select something, they may not.

Naf wrote: »

Next thing is that they're, unsurprisingly, cagey about paying anything for our time spent on this. At the very least I should be able to be paid for replacing the dishwasher pipe instead of calling in a repair man for it, shouldn't I? Any ideas how I can approach that?

How long did you spend replacing the dishwasher pipe?

You probably shouldn't have done this anyway, such work in the case of a rented property should probably be carried out by a professional.

Naf wrote: »

The other thing now is about how I might negotiate with them. I'm sure some of you will disagree, but since this is now a matter of negligence on the part of the manufacturer, I think they ought to compensate us some more by way of an apology. I have a couple of ideas, but I'm wondering if anyone has advice/experience about how to approach them about it? Should I keep at it through Currys, or contact the manufacturer directly and separately?

I'll join the other poster on this, what are you after? Do you literally just want an apology?

Naf

Gavin83 wrote: »

If they feel you're taking the pee and ordering something far better (and thus more expensive) than what you originally had they're likely to clam up.

Sure, I have no intention of this. I just don't want to be tied to the absolute cheapest thing going if it would look obviously out of place in the otherwise cream coloured kitchen.

Gavin83 wrote: »

However you need to consider in the first instance it's your landlords choice so you need to speak to them. They may be happy for you to select something, they may not.

Yes, they are. In their own words, "If you're happy, I'm happy".

Gavin83 wrote: »

How long did you spend replacing the dishwasher pipe?

You probably shouldn't have done this anyway, such work in the case of a rented property should probably be carried out by a professional.

Took me a couple of hours all told. It's my dishwasher, not the LLs. Getting a professional in would have required space which simply wasn't available to take the machine apart. I muddled through in the available space.

Gavin83 wrote: »

I'll join the other poster on this, what are you after? Do you literally just want an apology?

No, we'd like a bit of extra goodwill compensation for the upset this has caused, especially at this time of year. Something towards the hours we have had to spend dealing with it all and the huge extra hassle it has been to be able to prepare and eat meals etc.

baza52

so how much would you be happy with?

Naf

baza52 wrote: »

so how much would you be happy with?

Whichever is lower of minimum wage for the hours we spent (around £150) or the difference between direct replacement of the same type of units, and getting a better fitted unit for the corner.