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

ellielivvydaphne · 23 July 2019 at 9:59AM

Our tenant called yesterday to say their washing machine door won't open. We arranged a tradesman to go out and look at it today.

She's refusing to take time off work to stay at home for the tradesman. And expecting me to take time off work and let myself into her flat and wait for the tradesman.

How can I explain to her that this is her responsibility?

Thank you!

PasturesNew · 23 July 2019 at 10:02AM

You could've started by arranging for her to make the time/date appointment with the tradesman.

Most people are simply not able to drop everything and be at home for a tradesman just because they've had the appointment set up for them.

Most people have a limited number of days' annual leave per year and are unwilling/unable to take one off at short notice, or at all.

Why not offer his number to her?

ellielivvydaphne · 23 July 2019 at 10:04AM

Sorry I should have said I arranged for the tradesman to call and arrange for a time and the tradesman has an opening today, tomorrow and Saturday.

But she's saying that she can't do weekdays and can't wait till the weekend.

I already gave his number to her and the tradesman called me to say she can't do weekdays and won't wait till weekend.

ellielivvydaphne · 23 July 2019 at 10:07AM

Is it really my responsibility to be at the flat for the tradesman?

Adereterial · 23 July 2019 at 10:08AM

It is not ‘her responsibility’. It is yours. You are running a business letting the property and it is your responsibility to sort out issues like this, without undue inconvenience to the tenant who is paying you. Most people can’t take time off at short notice and depending on what she does, she may need to give several weeks notice to take leave.

That doesn’t mean you can leave the repairs until she’s available. Either allow her to agree a time directly with the repairman, attend yourself, agree with her you’ll give the contractor a key to get in, or arrange a time she’s available to be in after checking with her.

davidmcn · 23 July 2019 at 10:09AM

Does anybody need to be at the flat for him? Can't he just borrow a key?

tasticz · 23 July 2019 at 10:09AM

Speak with the tradesman and tell them you are passing their number to your tenant living at xxx and they should be in touch shortly and also tell them to invoice you directly for any works.

Send the details of the tradesman to your tenant and tell them to arrange the appointment at their convinient time.

Let them sort it out between themselves.

bouicca21 · 23 July 2019 at 10:11AM

Why can’t she wait until Saturday?

need_an_answer · 23 July 2019 at 10:13AM

Issue him with a key that can be returned following the fix.simple,its what I do with the tenants permission if neither of us can be there when someone needs to attend.

ellielivvydaphne · 23 July 2019 at 10:15AM

Thank you for the responses. It's clearly going to be a steep learning curve for us...

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.

I'll ask her if she's happy for the tradesman to go in.

Thank you again

elsien · 23 July 2019 at 10:20AM

She might have to wait longer than Saturday if it ends up some parts need ordering. It is your responsibility of the washing machine is included in the tenancy but she's not being entirely reasonable either. I don't think it's unreasonable to arrange a Saturday visit if all else fails.

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

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