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Original poster

Our tenants have broken their bed

189 replies

TrickyD · 12/09/2020 17:45

It is one of those ones which have a lot of slats each resting on a little ledge. The ledge came off so the slat fell.
Is this something that the tenants should normally pay to get fixed?
No doubt, despite it being a very small job, any handyman would charge around £60.
Unfortunately the property is 96 miles from our home, else DH would pop over equipped with hammer and nails.
They are nice tenants, so we will probably pay, but what normally happens when breakages like this happen?

OP posts:
Lucindainthesky · 12/09/2020 19:46

How, as a landlord, do you not understand your responsibilities?

Lucindainthesky · 12/09/2020 19:48

And on what basis do you deem tenants to be nice or not? Does that affect anything else or just whether you would pay for repairs?

Mummyoflittledragon · 12/09/2020 19:48

I have a fairly expensive bed with slats in one of the bedrooms and that broke in the same way. I also cannot believe that you own other properties and didn’t know this. I’m a ll of unfurnished properties and I know this. It’s basic stuff.

transformandriseup · 12/09/2020 19:49

The problem with some beds is that even the expensive ones can have the same cheap slats which keep breaking. It may better to invest in a divan.

ameliajoan · 12/09/2020 19:54

You rented the place out furnished. The items are yours. Why wouldn’t you have to pay for them if they were broken?

Why would you have ever thought your tenants should pay for your items?

Blondeshavemorefun · 12/09/2020 19:55

Yes if you supply furniture or appliances you need To mend

Original poster
TrickyD · 12/09/2020 19:56

And on what basis do you deem tenants to be nice or not?

If they are rather more pleasant than you.

OP posts:
oakleaffy · 12/09/2020 19:58

@TrickyD

Yes, thank you Dontfuckingsaycheese, I’ve got the message, 🙄 we will fix or replace.

It’s not a slat that has broken it is the bit that the slats sit on.which became detached.

It must have been a very poorly made bed?....It spends like the side slat was probably pinned on...those 'pins' are fired in with a staple gun..

They probably sat down hard on the edge of the bed, in the middle, dislodging the side rail..
I did the same to a landlady's bed..Sat down on the edge, in the middle and heard a deep 'crack'..the 'leg' of the bed was basically stapled on to an MDF part.
I propped it up with books.and put the leg back when I left.

oakleaffy · 12/09/2020 19:59

Spends... urgh ''Sounds'' {predictive text}

Original poster
TrickyD · 12/09/2020 20:02

transformandriseup

The slats did not break. But thanks.

OP posts:
Whenwillow · 12/09/2020 20:02

If I break someone else's belongings I'd expect to pay for it myself. Being a landlord sounds like a nightmare!

EvilEdna1 · 12/09/2020 20:04

You can buy replacement bed slats online. They are not expensive and easy to fit.

Illdealwithitinaminute · 12/09/2020 20:05

I bought a cheap bed for my dd and the slats broke very quickly. Even the expensive slatted beds can break quite easily, we had a fabulous sleigh bed but the centre of the slats had a prop that kept dislodging and then the slats would break.

dementedpixie · 12/09/2020 20:06

its not the slats that have broken, its the side edge the slats sit on

Scruffymac · 12/09/2020 20:07

You have no business being a landlord if you haven't even read up on your responsibilities and liabilities. It's shocking to me that this is news to you. It sounds like you've made unfair deductions in the past also, I hope all deposits you take are registered in an approved scheme as required by law?

Smallsteps88 · 12/09/2020 20:08

The slats did not break.

this makes it much less likely that they broke the bed.

Original poster
TrickyD · 12/09/2020 20:08

It sounds like the side slat was probably pinned on...those 'pins' are fired in with a staple gun.

No, Oakleaffy, it was quite solid, not staples. The tenant sent a photo of the quite long nails which had pulled out.

OP posts:
oakleaffy · 12/09/2020 20:08

@TroysMammy

I've got a solid, wooden bed with slats which is 30 years old and is in perfect condition. Obviously I haven't shagged much over the years.
A well constricted bed should be capable of putting up with shagging..It is usually poor construction and weak materials that caused beds to break.. DS's friend kicked DS's Ikea bed side and it snapped in two. I heard it happen, and the kids said ''We sat on it''......no, they didn't..the side of the bed was at least 15cms deep and one of them kicked it in..from the side. Ikea pine wood is very quick grown...lacking the tensile strength of slower grown hardwood. {Furniture maker explained that to me..makes sense. Ikea is cheap as their woods are fast grown. Time is money.
oakleaffy · 12/09/2020 20:11

@TrickyD

It sounds like the side slat was probably pinned on...those 'pins' are fired in with a staple gun.

No, Oakleaffy, it was quite solid, not staples. The tenant sent a photo of the quite long nails which had pulled out.

Did they try to move the bed? It sounds like a manufacturing fault to me..Nails shouldn't just ''pull out''...Screws are far better, and won't pull out.
Wallywobbles · 12/09/2020 20:13

I have had the same slat bed for 30 years. I shag a fair amount. One slat snapped when I stood on the bed. I am not light. Slat beds can be sturdy.

Original poster
TrickyD · 12/09/2020 20:14

Thank you for your concern, Scruffymac, I am sure you will be disappointed to hear that all deposits are lawfully registered.

And before you ask, all gas and electricity checks are up to date.

In your own words , it sounds like you are making quite unjustifiable deductions.

Anything else you want to you to query?

OP posts:
FabulouslyFab · 12/09/2020 20:15

Lols I think this thread is stuck on loop 😂😂

ameliajoan · 12/09/2020 20:19

Anything else you want to you to query?

I’m not Scruffymac but I still really want to know why you thought your tenants should pay for your items?

NeedToKnow101 · 12/09/2020 20:19

@FabulouslyFab

Lols I think this thread is stuck on loop 😂😂
😂😂😂 yes it's very odd 😂
NameChange1966 · 12/09/2020 20:19

Tbf, those beds with little salts are a pile of crap, I have had to add sheets of plyboard or extra wooden batons on more than one. Divan for me next time.