tenant is refusing to be at the flat for the washing machine to be fixed

sillyhilly

ellielivvydaphne wrote: »

But she's saying that she can't do weekdays and can't wait till the weekend.

If only there was somewhere that you could take your washing and use a washing machine for a small cost in the four days until it gets fixed...

anselld

Responsibility for the repair of white goods is not clear cut. It depends what is written about them in the tenancy agreement. Read the agreement first to see who is responsible and then act accordingly.

The problem of door not opening is normally a blocked filter. Has the instruction booklet been provided to the tenant and have they read how to unblock the filter? Most but not all machines this is a user operation not a maintenance issue.

ellielivvydaphne

Yes, the tenant was provided with all the booklets in a folder. I'll mention the blocked filter. Thank you.

wesleyad

ellielivvydaphne wrote: »

Sorry I should have said I arranged for the tradesman to call and arrange for a time and the tradesman has an opening today, tomorrow and Saturday.

But she's saying that she can't do weekdays and can't wait till the weekend.

I already gave his number to her and the tradesman called me to say she can't do weekdays and won't wait till weekend.

It's up to you to fix within a "reasonable timeframe". This is expected to be faster for priority things like heating in winter. For a washing machine a week is easily within that time frame.

The fact that you have tried to get it fixed even sooner if the tenant really wanted then you have demonstrably covered your responsibilities. 5 days is more than reasonable.

pinkshoes

What does it actually say about white goods in the tenancy agreement?

It is the school summer holidays. It is more than reasonable to have to wait until the weekend to have a tradesperson visit if she cannot take a day off work.

A washing machine is not an essential. There are other ways to wash clothes...

xylophone

Tenants expect the rented property to be regarded as their own home until such time as they vacate.

Any home owner has to take responsibility for letting in a tradesman when required.

While it seems to be the responsibility of the landlord to cover the cost of the repair and possibly his right (under the terms of the rental agreement) to choose the tradesman, I can't see that he has to be there to let him in.

The landlord has tried to deal with the problem in a reasonable manner - in my opinion, the tenant should make arrangements for the tradesman to be admitted.

Soot2006

She "can't wait" until weekend?


So, washing machine issues occurs Monday, LL hasa repairman willing to come out Tuesday or Wednesday ... or Saturday - whichever is most convenient. T can't take Tuesday or Wednesday off work - fair enough. So, Saturday will be most convenient.



She can wait, because she'll have to wait.

G_M

wesleyad wrote: »

It's up to you to fix within a "reasonable timeframe". This is expected to be faster for priority things like heating in winter. For a washing machine a week is easily within that time frame.

.

This assumes in the first place that it is the landlord's responsibility to fix.

It may not be!

Statute law does not require the LL to fix white goods " ( Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 ).

to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling-house for the supply of water, gas and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences, but not other fixtures, fittings and appliances for making use of the supply of water, gas or electricity),

Contract law might - but we'd need to read the contract to know that. What does it say??


Having said that, if you are required to fix (or have simply agreed to) then offer the tenant alternatives and leave it up to them to choose:


* they ring contractor and arrange mutually agreeable time
* you provide contractor with key
* you/contractor arrange a time, tell tenant, and they agree and attend - make clear there would be an abortive call-out fee if they did not attend.


If tenant does not like any of the above, washing machine won't get fixed will it? But in that case put it all in witing so you/they have a written record of your having taken 'reasonable' steps.

lisyloo

davidmcn wrote: »

Does anybody need to be at the flat for him? Can't he just borrow a key?

I would not personally be happy with a tradesman I didn’t know coming into my home unaccompanied.

I do give keys out to trades people I already know and have dealt with for several years.

There are other times when I’ve had a trusted party attend, for example friends that work from home or nearby.

ska_lover

It does sound like your tenant is being unreasonable - saying she cannot wait until Saturday.

I get that people cannot take time off at short notice,and Saturday actually sounds pretty reasonable to me - I would have thought that fairly quick and been satisfied with that