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Original poster

To Not Buy Tenants a New Microwave?

248 replies

Applefruitcake · 06/02/2022 18:52

Hi, just trying to figure out what would be 'expected' in this situation. New tenants have asked for the microwave to be replaced because its old. It is honestly old but in full working condition (tenants have confirmed), it had been professionally cleaned but it is used so has some staining.

First of all, would you even expect for a microwave to be provided in a furnished property? Is it a 'standard' appliance? Second, is it expected of landlords to replace items for aesthetic reasons only?

Sorry, I'm new to all this

OP posts:
HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 07/02/2022 08:30

@Thefrenchconnection1

If it's fine then swap yours with theirs. No? You don't want to? Buy them a new one then if it's not good enough for you.
This.
TheDivineOddity · 07/02/2022 08:34

Just buy them a new microwave and move on, there are so many other so much more stressful issues that can come up with tenants and this one is so easily fixed.

Don't piss off good tenant who pays on time and looks after the property.

Sceptre86 · 07/02/2022 08:35

If they are that cheap that you should buy it then why can't the tenant? Your agreement says if broken and its not broken. I'd reply with that you are happy to remove the old one that is in full working order and they can buy new if they want
I would also refer them to the part of agreement that said you will repllace the items if broken not just because they don't like them.

Echobelly · 07/02/2022 08:43

Honestly, I'd just buy one. I was a LL for a few years and when my tenants asked for something new, which wasn't that often, I just bought it as I wanted to be responsive, and they were paying me each month, so it was the least I could do,

curlymom · 07/02/2022 08:48

@stuntbubbles

I learnt long ago that the more you provide, the more hassle Lolllll didn’t take long after the “I’m a lovely landlord” for the truth to out, did it?
Lovely landlord doesn’t mean providing every single item it means not raising rent every year, fixing plumbing and other things when needed. Most tenants bring their own stuff and don’t want a kitchen full of things in my place, so shut up and stop judging me.
SpaghettiArmsMurderer · 07/02/2022 08:49

It's also a really poor show if they won't just replace a microwave themselves

It’s not their responsibility to provide it because it was included in the inventory and they can assume OP wouldn’t be happy with them disposing of her property.

OP if you are going to be petty enough not to replace it you could offer to just remove it so they have space for their own. But honestly just replace it, they are clearly uncomfortable with it and they aren’t expensive.

HellonHeels · 07/02/2022 08:51

@scaresdale

Fuck sake just buy your tenants a new fucking microwave Angry
This!
misspercy · 07/02/2022 08:52

It's around £50 to replace a microwave. And that's for an ugly el cheapo one, not an aesthetically pleasing one. (The tenants might even prefer the look of the old one!)

Are we talking a small mark, or does the microwave look grim? I mean, there are stains and there are stains... Presumably if it looked awful the OP would have replaced it at the start of the tenancy.

Is it a fancy penthouse flat, or a lived in old house? That would also influence my decision - if the property was marked as a luxury property, arguing over a microwave is petty. If it's more of an family home that hadn't been updated since the 70s, I'd assume the stains were par for the course.

I wouldn't replace the microwave for a small stain, but if it was genuinely very old, I might replace for that reason. Not because the tenants said jump, but because the microwave was nearing the end of its useful economic life.

Satingreenshutters · 07/02/2022 09:12

Buy them a poxy microwave.

ilovepuppies2019 · 07/02/2022 09:14

OP what does the tenancy agreement say is included in the property? Generally only appliances which are hardwired into the property are the responsibility of the tenant (e.g. oven). @curlymom is right, it's easier to provide fewer things which can break and let the tenants put in their own. That gives them choice over the quality and they can fix and replace more easier and a slightly reduced rent in exchange. I wouldn't willingly hardwire anything that doesn't need it as it's so difficult when it doesn't suit the tenants needs (e.g. a washing machine that's too small). It's much better for the tenant to bring those things in and choose / replace as they see fit.

I would assume that you don't need to provide the microwave but check your agreement. If you didn't agree to provide it then offer the tenants a choice of using yours or storing it in a closet and providing whatever they would prefer. Obviously they then take the microwave onto the next property with them so they get the benefit of whatever they want to buy. It really makes everything easier in my experience as everyone has different standards about what they would use. I was shocked to see a thread on here a few weeks ago pondering if they should ask the landlord for a new kitchen because it was 15 years old despite there being nothing wrong with it. If you would happily replace your own kitchen every 15 years then crack on but I've had the same kitchen for 30 and put up with it being out of style. I wouldn't expect to provide differently for a tenant because a working kitchen is perfectly reasonable and that's my standard.

Best to let the tenants provide their own things where possible for everyone.

curlymom · 07/02/2022 09:30

@ilovepuppies2019

OP what does the tenancy agreement say is included in the property? Generally only appliances which are hardwired into the property are the responsibility of the tenant (e.g. oven). *@curlymom* is right, it's easier to provide fewer things which can break and let the tenants put in their own. That gives them choice over the quality and they can fix and replace more easier and a slightly reduced rent in exchange. I wouldn't willingly hardwire anything that doesn't need it as it's so difficult when it doesn't suit the tenants needs (e.g. a washing machine that's too small). It's much better for the tenant to bring those things in and choose / replace as they see fit.

I would assume that you don't need to provide the microwave but check your agreement. If you didn't agree to provide it then offer the tenants a choice of using yours or storing it in a closet and providing whatever they would prefer. Obviously they then take the microwave onto the next property with them so they get the benefit of whatever they want to buy. It really makes everything easier in my experience as everyone has different standards about what they would use. I was shocked to see a thread on here a few weeks ago pondering if they should ask the landlord for a new kitchen because it was 15 years old despite there being nothing wrong with it. If you would happily replace your own kitchen every 15 years then crack on but I've had the same kitchen for 30 and put up with it being out of style. I wouldn't expect to provide differently for a tenant because a working kitchen is perfectly reasonable and that's my standard.

Best to let the tenants provide their own things where possible for everyone.

Exactly this. People saying just buy one obviously have no clue. Whatever you buy you are responsible for and need to replace due to reasonable wear and tear. In my experience, I used to provide all sorts including cutlery and some furniture but tenants didn’t want it so I ended up removing it, storing for a while and throwing away. I provide cooker, and fridge. My current tenant wanted a washing machine so I bought him one. If the next lot arrive with one I may have to remove it. However, if it is in the inventory, it should be provided or the inventory changed. If the tenants have seen the inventory, the OP should just buy one if the original looks worn as a leaky microwave is a safety issue.
Lampshading · 07/02/2022 10:41

If it's fine then swap yours with theirs. No? You don't want to? Buy them a new one then if it's not good enough for you.

I mean OP has said she doesn't have one so presumably the one in the rental property is indeed better than nothing.

Horst · 07/02/2022 11:11

You don’t have to replace it but this is likely to set the tone for tenants as to weather they consider you a good landlord or a bodge it Bob.

Our currently landlord is a bodge it Bob, which means I don’t chase repairs after reporting once unless they hinder me, which is now going to cost the landlord a fortune when we leave because we got “will get someone to come out and look” and they never did so now small issues are going to be big issues but you know I’d hate to inconvenience the Landlord by keep reporting repairs.

My previous landlord amazing. As such we worked together on certain repairs if I knew a tradie or could get a discount on the items needed. Win win for both. House was lovely and safe and always repaired.

Honestly it is pretty grim to rent something out and expect people to be happy with stained furniture/white goods or carpets though. Rather sloppy.

SartresSoul · 07/02/2022 11:19

Would love to know where you can find a microwave even for £30, the cheapest I’ve ever been able to find in recent times was £60.

I’ve never lived in a furnished rental so not sure what the rules are but since it’s in full working order you don’t have to replace. Think it would be a nice thing to do if it’s really old and stained though.

ohdear10 · 07/02/2022 11:36

@Sceptre86

If they are that cheap that you should buy it then why can't the tenant? Your agreement says if broken and its not broken. I'd reply with that you are happy to remove the old one that is in full working order and they can buy new if they want I would also refer them to the part of agreement that said you will repllace the items if broken not just because they don't like them.

Because they likely pay over a grand in rent and they didn't ask for an unsightly, used appliance to be provided? Most would rather nothing than that, now they have to figure out how to shift it

catndogslife · 07/02/2022 11:38

www.nrla.org.uk/resources/energy-efficiency/pat-testing

To ensure they are safe, it is recommended that portable plug in electrical appliances provided by the landlord are PAT tested. See link above for details.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 07/02/2022 14:15

For the sake of happy tenants I'd get them a new mircrowave. But at the end of this tenancy remove it and you won't have this issue again.

LittleGwyneth · 07/02/2022 14:28

If they're good tenants and you want to be a good landlord, then I would do it. Ours bought us a box fan years ago when some building issues meant we couldn't open a window. Meant we felt well disposed towards her, stayed for longer etc.

LittleGwyneth · 07/02/2022 14:31

To clarify, would you be happy for them to get rid of the old microwave and either not have one, or buy their own which belongs to them? If so, I think sort of fair. However if you're insisting they keep yours, it needs to be at a pristine standard.

Also, don't you want to be nice? I would want to be nice.

Blossomtoes · 07/02/2022 14:39

Amazon is knocking one out for £60. Just replace it.

Clenny9 · 13/11/2022 22:06

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

HuggsBosom · 13/11/2022 22:29

You can also pick them up for £10-£15 in Asda etc.

No you can’t.

It's £30 for a decent one from Asda or Tesco.

No, they’re not.

And cheap microwaves can be a false economy, as it may be too small to take a dinner plate.

stonebrambleboy · 13/11/2022 22:30

Zombie

Clenny9 is busy tonight

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