We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Tenancy deposit deductions - 'is it our fault?'
jadew..
Posts: 5 Forumite
Please can someone advise whether we should accept and whether the landlord's deductions on our deposit are fair
Moved in on April 2016
Moved out on September 2019
Basically, when we moved in, the rented house came white goods. The freezer part of the fridge freezer became faulty in July 2016 and was immediately reported to the letting agent but has had no response. We decided not to wait and bought our own and asked the agents/landlord to come collect the fridge, however, this was only collected about a month ago or so prior moving out (around July-Aug 2019), so was kept outside for a good three years.
The same for the washing machine. We had our own when we moved in, so we requested for the landlord to collect but was only collected maybe a year later or so
The landlord is claiming £400.00 from our deposit for these two appliances as they no longer work.
When we contested this claim, the agent is asking for a counter offer as these were left outside when it should have been stored indoors until the landlord collected it.
How much would be a fair counter offer.
Moved in on April 2016
Moved out on September 2019
Basically, when we moved in, the rented house came white goods. The freezer part of the fridge freezer became faulty in July 2016 and was immediately reported to the letting agent but has had no response. We decided not to wait and bought our own and asked the agents/landlord to come collect the fridge, however, this was only collected about a month ago or so prior moving out (around July-Aug 2019), so was kept outside for a good three years.
The same for the washing machine. We had our own when we moved in, so we requested for the landlord to collect but was only collected maybe a year later or so
The landlord is claiming £400.00 from our deposit for these two appliances as they no longer work.
When we contested this claim, the agent is asking for a counter offer as these were left outside when it should have been stored indoors until the landlord collected it.
How much would be a fair counter offer.
0
Comments
-
If I was the landlord I’d be !!!!ed that you put a working washing machine outside to break and I’d expect you to cover the cost of replacing it. As for the broken fridge, I’d say that’s on them as it was broken anyway and they should’ve removed it sooner.0
-
About the fridge, you should have asked the LL for reimbursement for the new fridge. I assume you want to keep it instead. LL can't charge you for replacement of a faulty item if you have evidence that you have reported the fact.
About the washing machine - You shouldn't have left it outside, just because you had your own. Even i you have a written confirmation from the LL that he is happy for you to bring your own. You owe the LL a replacement washing machine of comparable age and brand in working condition. As it getting damaged by the elements was your fault.
You are obliged to store LLs property that's included in your check-in inventory as if it's your own.
£100-150 counter offer for the washing machine seems reasonable to me.0 -
If I was the landlord I’d be !!!!ed that you put a working washing machine outside to break and I’d expect you to cover the cost of replacing it. As for the broken fridge, I’d say that’s on them as it was broken anyway and they should’ve removed it sooner.
Thanks for your reply. With regards to the washing machine, we have nowhere to put it though. We can't just store it indoors for about 2 years, we don't have space for it and there's nothing we can do if the landlord kept delaying the collection.0 -
Thanks for your input - really appreciate itAbout the fridge, you should have asked the LL for reimbursement for the new fridge. I assume you want to keep it instead. LL can't charge you for replacement of a faulty item if you have evidence that you have reported the fact. Yes, we have kept the fridge and we do have an email correspondence of the report
About the washing machine - You shouldn't have left it outside, just because you had your own. Even i you have a written confirmation from the LL that he is happy for you to bring your own. You owe the LL a replacement washing machine of comparable age and brand in working condition. As it getting damaged by the elements was your fault.
You are obliged to store LLs property that's included in your check-in inventory as if it's your own. I guess you are right
£100-150 counter offer for the washing machine seems reasonable to me.0 -
Both itens are presumably on the inventory. You have a duty of care for them. If you leave electrical items outside for more than a few days (less in wet or damp weather) then you are not abiding by your duty of care.
The LL can claim for the cost of the items, allowing for 'betterment' based on their age.0 -
how much would you say is fair amount considering that the appliance were with us for three years and weren't brand new when we moved in>Both itens are presumably on the inventory. You have a duty of care for them. If you leave electrical items outside for more than a few days (less in wet or damp weather) then you are not abiding by your duty of care. we tried to ptroect them as much as we could at the time - both appliances were elevated so it wasn't touching the ground. Also both were covered to protect from rain
The LL can claim for the cost of the items, allowing for 'betterment' based on their age.0 -
'Trying to protect' is not sufficient. You have to actually protect them. Electrical itens like washing machines are not designed to be left outdoors. Maybe in summer in the south of France, but in the UK? No. 'Covered'? How? With what? If plastic sheeting for example this would not be enough beyond a few days in good weather. Damp night air would affect the electrics not to mention causing rust.we tried to ptroect them as much as we could at the time - both appliances were elevated so it wasn't touching the ground. Also both were covered to protect from rain
I do not for a minute believe a home-owner would leave their own white goods out in the open, albeit 'elevated' and 'covered' unless they intended to dump/replace them.
My white goods have lasted 15+ years. Obviously it depends on the original price/quality, as well as frequency of use etc, but 8-10 years seems a reasonable life expectancy for most.how much would you say is fair amount considering that the appliance were with us for three years and weren't brand new when we moved in>
So if they were, say, 2 years old when you moved in 3 years ago, they were around half-way through their natural life.0 -
As per above responses, I agree and we would take responisbility for the washing machine.
With regards to the fridge, would you still pay charges even if it was already faulty?0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.3K Spending & Discounts
- 245.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.5K Life & Family
- 259K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards