Landlord delaying washing machine repair - anything I can do?

MSE_Petar

Hi everyone,

I'm having a very frustrating experience with my landlord and not sure what my rights are, so hoping you can point me in the right direction.

I rent privately and the washing machine in the flat broke down a month ago (around 6 July).

Here's a timeline of the events:

- 8 July - we contact lettings agent, who says they need landlord's approval to send someone out
- 22 July - after lots of chasing via the agent, landlord finally approves contractor visit
- 26 July - contractor visits and finds washing machine needs a new door handle kit and door locking mechanism. Lettings agent says they need landlord's approval
- 2 August - agent says they're still chasing landlord for approval

As of today, we're still waiting.

For the avoidance of doubt, the washing machine came with the flat and the tenancy agreement says the landlord is obliged to "keep in repair and proper working order... the electrical appliances and other equipment".

My questions are:

1. Is there anything I can do to speed up the repair? For example, could I pay for the repair upfront and then recoup this from the landlord later?
2. We're incurring extra costs for laundry as a result of the machine breaking down - can we recoup these from the landlord?

Thanks!

anselld

Keep pestering the Agent.
Complain to the Landlord directly and in writing in case the Agent is being inept.
Pay yourself if you want but you would risk not being reimbursed.
Extra costs probably not going to happen but you could include in your letter to Landlord.

PRAISETHESUN

In my last flat the LL provided a washing machine although they weren't required to keep it operational. When it inevitably broke, I bought my own one and left the old broken one behind for the LL to deal with when I moved out. You can get cheap ones off Gumtree/FB marketplace, which could keep you going in a pinch for a while until this all gets sorted (and you can then sell again afterwards).

As for enforcing the repairs, I'd echo the comments above about keep pestering the agent and consider complaining to the LL directly. See if your letting agent has a formal complaints process and/or is registered with the property ombudsman scheme.

I wouldn't pay for anything yourself expecting reimbursement, as there's a fair chance it wouldn't be covered if the LL/agent don't authorise it. I also wouldn't expect to to get your incidental costs reimbursed, although there's no harm in asking for them to be covered while the repairs are ongoing - worst they can say is no.

MSE_Petar

By way of update, the washing machine has now been repaired and the landlord agreed to contribute towards some of the incidental costs while it was down. 

It was a case of continuing to pester the agent as you both said - strangely, as soon as we asked the agent about their formal complaints process, things seemed to speed up considerably and we were offered reimbursement of some of our costs.

Thank you very much for your help!

zagubov

Watch a video about how to install a machine when they deliver it.
We got a well-known electrical chain to deliver and install a washing machine for our tenant. 
They delivered it, announced the existing connectors were made of a material they're not insured to touch and left my tenant to fit it himself.
They told me I could claim back the installation fee but we wouldn't have bought from them at their price in the first place if we thought we'd have to fit it ourself anyway
I presume it was some kind of scam.
Be prepared.

TheJP

MSE_Petar said:

By way of update, the washing machine has now been repaired and the landlord agreed to contribute towards some of the incidental costs while it was down. 

It was a case of continuing to pester the agent as you both said - strangely, as soon as we asked the agent about their formal complaints process, things seemed to speed up considerably and we were offered reimbursement of some of our costs.

Thank you very much for your help!

I think you were a bit harsh considering this all took less than a week. Factor in EA time to notify LL and then the LL getting round to updating EA. Think that's not bad, resolved in less than 7 business days.

Slinky

TheJP said:

MSE_Petar said:

By way of update, the washing machine has now been repaired and the landlord agreed to contribute towards some of the incidental costs while it was down. 

It was a case of continuing to pester the agent as you both said - strangely, as soon as we asked the agent about their formal complaints process, things seemed to speed up considerably and we were offered reimbursement of some of our costs.

Thank you very much for your help!

I think you were a bit harsh considering this all took less than a week. Factor in EA time to notify LL and then the LL getting round to updating EA. Think that's not bad, resolved in less than 7 business days.

Think you need to read the OP's timeline again. Machine broke down in early July.

TheJP

Slinky said:

TheJP said:

MSE_Petar said:

By way of update, the washing machine has now been repaired and the landlord agreed to contribute towards some of the incidental costs while it was down. 

It was a case of continuing to pester the agent as you both said - strangely, as soon as we asked the agent about their formal complaints process, things seemed to speed up considerably and we were offered reimbursement of some of our costs.

Thank you very much for your help!

I think you were a bit harsh considering this all took less than a week. Factor in EA time to notify LL and then the LL getting round to updating EA. Think that's not bad, resolved in less than 7 business days.

Think you need to read the OP's timeline again. Machine broke down in early July.

I was referring to the time in which the OP posted and what action was outstanding from the LL;

- 26 July - contractor visits and finds washing machine needs a new door handle kit and door locking mechanism. Lettings agent says they need landlord's approval
- 2 August - agent says they're still chasing landlord for approval

However when i typed my comment i glanced the date of the previous poster (3rd August) which i incorrectly connected to the OPs update.

OP apologies think ill need to review my glasses prescription. I agree not great but its resolved with some compensation.