Renter - replacing/fixing white goods

Frandab

Hi all 

Hope I have placed this is the right forum .. 

I am currently renting a 1 bed furnished property. Been renting for around 5 years and although the landlord uses an agency, we still speak to him about any issues and have a good relationship. 

Through last year, the washing machine, dishwasher & oven broke - they were all originally installed when the flat was built over 15 years ago. The landlord has been happy to replace them  - acknowledging that they would have needed replacing due to the age of them etc. 

We now have a bit of an issue with the integrated fridge. The plastic shelf over the salad box broke a few weeks ago and now one of the glass shelves has also broken. The plastic holding the shelf on has literally crumbled away. The fridge is no longer manufactured so matching a spare part is difficult and some are coming up a £45 per shelf to replace. 

Would it be unreasonable to approach my landlord to tell him what’s happening and ask for a new fridge (would be freezer to) or am I liable for the wear and tear? 

We literally have one shelf left in the fridge so would need to replace fairly sharply. 

Any help/advice would be appreciated. 

Thanks 

deannagone

You won't lose anything by asking.  If its 15 years old, its due a replacement to be honest.  If you are renting a furnished flat and /or the fridge is listed as provided by your AST.., the LL has to repair or replace.  Even plastic degrades over time, particularly plastic that is kept cold (as in a fridge). How long it will last also depends on the quality of the fridge (I've found a more expensive one I bought is much much better made than the previous one) but even so, after 15 years, it is due a replacement.

However, you might possibly have to compromise on it being an installed fridge freezer, depends on the LL's attitude.  They are more expensive than freestanding and all the LL has to provide is a replacement fridge freezer.

I always find it strange how white goods break at the same time lol.  It happened to me last year.

Grumpy_chap

Based on what the OP has said, this is for the LL to repair or replace the fridge.  If I were the OP's LL with a good, reliable, long-term tenant who is respecting the property and paying rent in full and on time, I would pay for the fridge freezer without batting an eyelid.

Frandab

Thanks for your replies - a part on the cooker hood also came off at the weekend!  So I have contacted the landlord and let him know. 

Just waiting for him to get back to us. 

wilfred30

Wow, 5 of your 6 kitchen appliances have broken in the last 12/18 months.  Just the hob to go then.

BikingBud

Grumpy_chap said:

Based on what the OP has said, this is for the LL to repair or replace the fridge.  If I were the OP's LL with a good, reliable, long-term tenant who is respecting the property and paying rent in full and on time, I would pay for the fridge freezer without batting an eyelid.

And also providing an amendment to the move in report to trace the provision of new facilities and protect yourself in case of future disputes.