Washing machine valve in unfurnished rental

anselld

Jd843 said:

AdrianC said:

Jd843 said:

AdrianC said:

Is it really worth arguing about?

£1.43, and two minutes for anybody vaguely competent to replace while the water's off.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/washing-machine-valve-without-check-valve-15mm-x/51231

The landlord could say "Well, we know it worked just fine when you moved in... and you turned it on..."
Ultimately, it's unlikely the deposit arbitrators would side with the landlord, though. And the cost is negligible.

The sensible thing for two grown adults to do would be to talk about it and come to a mutually acceptable agreement to leave the water off short-term, so the WM can be removed, and the landlord will get the valve replaced asap.

No, it’s not worth arguing about, but for some reason the LL is insisting it’s our problem. I was very shocked when, after I told the letting agent about the problem, they called me back to say the landlord doesn’t think it’s her responsibility.  I don’t know if she’s just looking for an excuse to take something from our deposit?

I’ve actually managed to get the washer moved out with a temporary fix to stop water spewing everywhere, and the landlord knows this, but still thinks we should get it replaced before the end of the tenancy.

What recourse do they have against you?
Your deposit.

What means do they have to access that deposit?
The arbitrators.

If the worst comes to the worst, how bad is the deposit-ding going to be?
Negligible.

You’re right, I was mainly just curious about what people thought. Wasn’t sure if I was being unreasonable thinking it wasn’t my responsibility to fix it.

Well it was certainly unreasonable to leave an exposed open end such that when the water is turned back on a flood would occur.  That is not the state you found the property in at checkin.
And the easiest way to cap off the valve was ... a new valve.

saajan_12

The pipework would certainly be the LL's responsibility to arrange for a fix when needed. However, a few points to note
1) As with anything to do with the plumbing, if the tenant's actions / negligence / property caused the damage, the cost of fixing could be recovered through the deposit. The question is convincing a deposit scheme arbiter on what the cause was. 
2) Cost - IF (big if) it is determined to be the tenant's damage, the cost isn't just a £1.43 part. A person also has to be called out to replace the part, deal with any leak between etc. 
3) The tenant has a duty to act in a 'tenant-like manner' which includes reporting faults etc. If you leave it in a way that would flood as soon as someone opens it, you could be liable for any ensuing damage. (Haven't read the other thread so if you did report it, this may not apply to you)

Sandtree

The pipe work is part of the fixtures and fittings and so is the Landlords but there are two scenarios....

1) The tap has failed due to wear and tear - Landlord's responsibility

2) The tap has been damaged by the tenant's misuse - Tenant's responsibility

This assumes standard AST type wording, you'd obviously need to read your actual tenancy agreement to confirm where responsibility lies for wear and tear (we did once have an agreement where we were responsible but that was only for white goods and as it was a new build they were all under warranty anyway).

How much are they trying to deduct for fixing the problem? 

mattyprice4004

That’s awful, I’m a landlord and I wouldn’t dream of charging a tenant for that. 

It’s my pipework, my problem.