My landlord is refusing to replace a 22 year old washing machine

oliviaka

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

If someone forces their way into your home and refuses to leave again, ring the police.

I did ring the police and they told me she could be there if she wanted it was her house... I didn't think this was how it worked, but apparently it is.

Carrot007

oliviaka wrote: »

I did ring the police and they told me she could be there if she wanted it was her house... I didn't think this was how it worked, but apparently it is.

No it is not. Unless you are a lodger.


If it is a seperate flat she has no right and you should change the locks also.


They in all honesty as bad landlord is alwasy going to be bad and your only choice is to move when you are able.


Washing machines are not her resopnsibility unless in the contract. Just a bonus. However if you get one you must keep the old one or she has reason to complain. (She will anyway I guess but not reasonably as a machine that age is worth nothing).

wesleyad

I'd also say this depends on whether the flat was fully furnished.If so I'm sure this must be landlords obligation, in the same way if a bed broke.

If the flat was unfurnished but they left it, then it gets slightly trickier. I have been told that leaving items when a tenancy starts implies they are included in the tenancy and as such LL responsibility. As a result I always "gift" any items such as these to my tenants and have a clear line in the contract that they are for tenant to do as they please with but will not be fixed by me.

Now whether this is true or not maybe someone can answer from a legal point of view.

As to whether you need to fix it, I'd certainly say no,a 22 year old washing machine has 0 value.

Comms69

oliviaka wrote: »

I did ring the police and they told me she could be there if she wanted it was her house... I didn't think this was how it worked, but apparently it is.

Suggest you raise a complaint. It’s totally unlawful and frankly the police have been sued for similar things

macman

No deposit protection often means no gas safety certificate or EPC. OP, did you receive them? Along with no deposit protection, this gives you considerable bargaining power. Non-supply of a GSC is a serious criminal offence.
Can you confirm that both flats are completely self contained units-no shared facilities?

ThePants999

Agree with Comms. It's very sad, but unfortunately many police officers misunderstand laws relating to tenancies, so you need to (a) escalate until you get someone with a clue, and (b) complain so that those without get "educated".

ViolaLass

Guys, careful saying the police were definitely wrong. We haven't had confirmation that the OP wasn't a lodger, for example.

Comms69

ViolaLass wrote: »

Guys, careful saying the police were definitely wrong. We haven't had confirmation that the OP wasn't a lodger, for example.

I think the fact she had her foot in the door is a strong indication.

oliviaka

wesleyad wrote: »

I'd also say this depends on whether the flat was fully furnished.If so I'm sure this must be landlords obligation, in the same way if a bed broke.

If the flat was unfurnished but they left it, then it gets slightly trickier. I have been told that leaving items when a tenancy starts implies they are included in the tenancy and as such LL responsibility. As a result I always "gift" any items such as these to my tenants and have a clear line in the contract that they are for tenant to do as they please with but will not be fixed by me.

Now whether this is true or not maybe someone can answer from a legal point of view.

As to whether you need to fix it, I'd certainly say no,a 22 year old washing machine has 0 value.

it came semi furnished, everything was fully furnished apart from my flatmates room, I assume they didn't furnish his because its very small and they may want to have marketed it as a study/bedroom

oliviaka

Comms69 wrote: »

I think the fact she had her foot in the door is a strong indication.

I'm not a lodger, she lives in the basement flat below us but we have no shared facilities.
However, she said she bought the flat as a whole one and split it herself, I am suspicious that she never officially split it into 2 separate addresses as our water gas & electric is on the same bill and her address isn't registered with royal mail. Any clues on how legal this is I have tried googling this but I'm not sure where to start?