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

need_an_answer

I think you need to offer 3 solutions

Either the fix is done when the tenant can accommodate it

The tenant can allow you access to sit whilst the appliance is inspected/fixed at a time that is convenient to you and subject to the tenant being aware of the timings

Or a key is issued to the tradesperson to carry out the inspection/work with no one present but the tenant again made aware of the time of visit...key being returned afterwards.

Its all about how you deal with the tenant in general IMO...and some are very different to others with their expectations.

The bottom line is as a LL if you have made a reasonable attempt to secure someone to attend to inspect/fix and the tenant is not happy then they either need to arrange at a time they can be there or allow access...I'm afraid no washing machine is ever going to fix itself whether you are a homeowner or a tenant....sometimes you need to take time out to allow entry if you are not prepared to allow someone a key.

Crumble2018

Surely if the washing machine is in the inventory, then it is the landlord's responsibility to fix? It would be a very poor landlord who refused to deal with it. It is this sort of attitude that gives landlords a bad name.

need_an_answer

elsimsy wrote: »

Surely if the washing machine is in the inventory, then it is the landlord's responsibility to fix? It would be a very poor landlord who refused to deal with it. It is this sort of attitude that gives landlords a bad name.

not always...it is becoming increasingly popular for tenancy agreements to specify that the item is in place until it fails and its then up to the tenant to fix or replace themselves.


I've always rented with full responsibility being mine as LL but again its down to the individual if they even want to supply any white goods or additions

Crumble2018

need_an_answer wrote: »

not always...it is becoming increasingly popular for tenancy agreements to specify that the item is in place until it fails and its then up to the tenant to fix or replace themselves.


I've always rented with full responsibility being mine as LL but again its down to the individual if they even want to supply any white goods or additions

My Flat didn't come with any white goods, but if it had I would expect the landlord to fix it. Clearly I am very naive about these matters!

need_an_answer

elsimsy wrote: »

My Flat didn't come with any white goods, but if it had I would expect the landlord to fix it. Clearly I am very naive about these matters!

In the area in which I rent properties,its always the ones with maintained white goods that are rented first...prospective tenants seem reluctant to want to provide their own and ive seen properties where LL's have lost several months in rental income because the property hasn't rented ...it seems madness to me to lose out just because the LL cant be bothered or doesn't want to maintain whats there....

The actual logistics of it probably even mean that the white stuff pays for itself as again those properties with them included quite easily achieve a higher rental income.

I'm fine with providing and maintaining...although I go through spells where it seems as if I have AO on speed dial.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

ellielivvydaphne wrote: »

I completely understand that people can't easily take time off to stay home. But I'm not in the same city as the flat so me going out there today is also impossible.

ellielivvydaphne wrote: »

I'm sorry if this is a very naive question but I feel so out of my depth! The flat actually belongs to my sister who lives in Germany.

So, the landlord just can't run round the corner at half an hours notice to let a tradesman in.


Her sister is doing her best to resolve the issue, but again cannot be there.


We don't know if washing is stuck mid cycle or whatever, so unable to help on the technical side.


Methinks the tenant is being a bit difficult regarding access.

G_M

ellielivvydaphne wrote: »

This is what the tenancy agreement says:

The Landlord agrees with the Tenant:
6.1 to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the Property (including drains gutters and external pipes) and to keep in repair and proper working order the installations (if any) in the Property for the supply of water gas and electricity and for sanitation (including basins sinks and sanitary conveniences but not the fixtures, fittings, and appliances for making use of water gas or electricity) and for space heating and heating water provided that the Landlord is not required.

Does this mean we're not actually required to repair the appliances?

See my earlier post above (19). The text in the contract that you quote has been lifted word for word from the statute (Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 S11).


This makes it clear that neither statute law, nor contract law, require the landlord to 'repair....appliances for making use of water....' (eg a washing machine).

If the landlord generously chooses to repair, of course he can. In that case, the tenant should be grateful and facilitate that repair before the landlord changes his mind!