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Original poster

A question for any of you that are landlords!

45 replies

User4223131 · 27/08/2022 00:29

If a tenant was to report a washing machine fault and a new machine was needed - how long would you feel was reasonable to leave them without a washing machine?

Tenants have been in 8 months, no issues, rent paid on time every month, property being well looked after. Family with young children. The washing machine that has broken is about 6 years old I believe.

OP posts:
whatmilly · 27/08/2022 00:32

Not sure .. maybe a maximum of 3/4days?

I'd try and get the problem sorted the day I'm being made aware of the issue! & hope the machine gets delivered ASAP

Hope your machine gets replaced very soon OP! It's a nightmare living without one especially with young children xx

muttonjeffmum · 27/08/2022 00:32

If they are a family with young children then ideally no more than a couple of days. My children are now grown but I would struggle longer than that.

PimmsOfCourse · 27/08/2022 00:33

I am guessing you are the tenants. I might get someone out to look at it first - that's not easy though.
What can you say about it being broken?
Was it on the inventory as a white good?
I would replace within realistically 3 weeks

RJnomore1 · 27/08/2022 00:33

As long as it took to get one ordered and installed.

Pebblebeach15 · 27/08/2022 00:34

I was an accidental landlord as could not sell my house but needed to move . I had similar and ordered one from Currys to be delivered . Took 2 days I think .

Aquamarine1029 · 27/08/2022 00:34

Good tenants are worth their weight in gold. Replace the washer as soon as possible.

GreenLunchBox · 27/08/2022 00:35

Depends if part of the tenancy.

I think 2 weeks is not unreasonable as it could take that long to get somebody out to repair it.

Watchthesunrise · 27/08/2022 00:38

Two to three days. That is a realistic time to buy a new one and have it delivered.

Landlord needs to open their purse on this one.

Classicblunder · 27/08/2022 00:38

I would get someone round to look at it within 2 days and then it would depend what was wrong with it.

I have had a lot of experience with tenants phoning something in as broken when there is a relatively easy fix. Once had one ask for a new washing machine because the door wouldn't open - she hadn't tried turning it off at the wall!

I realise that's not all tenants but it has made me cynical

Watchthesunrise · 27/08/2022 00:39

I think 2 weeks is not unreasonable as it could take that long to get somebody out to repair it.

Two weeks! no way!

Cavvies · 27/08/2022 00:39

Three days max

Dougieowner · 27/08/2022 00:40

As above, as long as it took for the old machine to be proved to be unrepairable and for a new one to be ordered / delivered / installed.
No point jumping up and down because you will be without a machine for a day or two, with the best will in the world a LL cannot magic a new machine out of thin air regardless of how inconvenient it is.
That said, anything over 7-10 days is stretching it a bit too far.

LocalHobo · 27/08/2022 00:42

I will get the machine examined within 2 working days. If the machine is not fixable, another 3 days to order and complete installation.

Original poster
User4223131 · 27/08/2022 00:54

Thanks everyone - I should have given more detail. Washing Machine is listen on inventory and is part of the tenancy agreement. Yes, I am the tenant.
Fault was reported on 12th through the property manager at the letting agent as is required in our tenancy agreement. They then contacted the landlord who said she would prefer to use her own contractor to fix. Her own contractor came on the evening of the 15th and confirmed that a new machine was needed.

Again, landlord opted to source this herself rather than have the property manager do it which is fine. But it’s now 27th and we still have no machine. I received a call yesterday saying that one has just been ordered that afternoon (26th) but delivery won’t be until Mon 5th Sept.

We live in a very easily accessible part of the UK. I can go online myself and have a washing machine ordered with delivery and installation taking place the following day.

Should it really be taking 3 weeks after it’s been looked at to simply order a machine and have it delivered?!

OP posts:
Original poster
User4223131 · 27/08/2022 00:56

Dougieowner · 27/08/2022 00:40

As above, as long as it took for the old machine to be proved to be unrepairable and for a new one to be ordered / delivered / installed.
No point jumping up and down because you will be without a machine for a day or two, with the best will in the world a LL cannot magic a new machine out of thin air regardless of how inconvenient it is.
That said, anything over 7-10 days is stretching it a bit too far.

@Dougieowner Oh, I completely agree!! I fully understand it being checked to see whether repair or replacement is what needed etc and there needs to be time allowed for delivery etc. But I feel like it’s getting beyond what is acceptable.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 27/08/2022 00:56

Your landlord is an arsehole.

LBOCS2 · 27/08/2022 00:57

I would say MAX a week after the machine was deemed irreparable.

Watchthesunrise · 27/08/2022 01:00

What is the ACTUAL POINT of property managers.

Dougieowner · 27/08/2022 01:05

That does seem way too long.

We were at the mercy of the managing agents.
We were perfectly willing to order a new machine as long as it was confirmed that the old one was U/S but the agent either didn't know or didn't bother passing on the information so we were unable to order a new machine.
After that it was down to how quickly AO could deliver / install but was done in the timeframe mentioned above.

GoldenGorilla · 27/08/2022 01:06

I’m a landlord and if for some reason it took that long to get a new washing machine I would take some money off the rent, but that would be a goodwill thing, not a requirement.

Your landlord hasn’t behaved well here but unfortunately I don’t think you can do anything about it?

Watchthesunrise · 27/08/2022 01:12

I would ask your landlord if they are happy for you to deduct the equivalent of two weeks worth of laundromat costs off your next rent payment. They would be unreasonable to refuse - the use of the washing machine is a service that you're paying for with your rent after all.

LBOCS2 · 27/08/2022 01:13

Watchthesunrise · 27/08/2022 01:00

What is the ACTUAL POINT of property managers.

To be fair, if the landlord won't release the funds or wants to do it themselves, what are they supposed to do? The landlord is their client 🤷🏼‍♀️

GreenLunchBox · 27/08/2022 01:15

User4223131 · 27/08/2022 00:54

Thanks everyone - I should have given more detail. Washing Machine is listen on inventory and is part of the tenancy agreement. Yes, I am the tenant.
Fault was reported on 12th through the property manager at the letting agent as is required in our tenancy agreement. They then contacted the landlord who said she would prefer to use her own contractor to fix. Her own contractor came on the evening of the 15th and confirmed that a new machine was needed.

Again, landlord opted to source this herself rather than have the property manager do it which is fine. But it’s now 27th and we still have no machine. I received a call yesterday saying that one has just been ordered that afternoon (26th) but delivery won’t be until Mon 5th Sept.

We live in a very easily accessible part of the UK. I can go online myself and have a washing machine ordered with delivery and installation taking place the following day.

Should it really be taking 3 weeks after it’s been looked at to simply order a machine and have it delivered?!

If they've agreed a new machine is needed, 2-3 days max!

ImNotGreta · 27/08/2022 01:16

User4223131 · 27/08/2022 00:29

If a tenant was to report a washing machine fault and a new machine was needed - how long would you feel was reasonable to leave them without a washing machine?

Tenants have been in 8 months, no issues, rent paid on time every month, property being well looked after. Family with young children. The washing machine that has broken is about 6 years old I believe.

I’d not accept their own assessment that a new machine was needed, so would call out an engineer first.

If they told me that it was behind repair I’d order a new one the same day.

blisstwins · 27/08/2022 01:17

many Things slow and on back order at the moment.