Page 3 | To Not Buy Tenants a New Microwave?

Sedai · 06/02/2022 19:36

I would want a microwave in a furnished property, and yes it is very much a standard appliance. Either buy them a new one or take the cost out of their next month's rent.

ouch321 · 06/02/2022 19:36

You don't own a microwave?
What if you want to warm up leftovers or heat up sone baked beans or sonething? You use the hob/oven for every single thing?

betwixtlives · 06/02/2022 19:37

@Applefruitcake

Wow £10-15 for a microwave?? 😶 Even if they did exist, they would probably break the next day. I personally don't own a microwave, so it's hard to tell if it's 'essential' for others

It’s essential for most working people. Easy and quick to heat/ defrost a meal after a long shift. Mine was £50 in Argos, don’t tell me you can’t afford £50 from the rent you’re taking from them 🙄

yorkshireteaspoonie · 06/02/2022 19:39

@ouch321

You don't own a microwave? What if you want to warm up leftovers or heat up sone baked beans or sonething? You use the hob/oven for every single thing?

My aunt doesn't have one either and never has... yes she gets a pan out for beans! WEIRD!

Hankunamatata · 06/02/2022 19:40

How old is old?

JustBlethering · 06/02/2022 19:41

Usually I think Mumsnet are quite harsh towards landlords but in this case I'd really just buy them a new microwave.

TheHateIsNotGood · 06/02/2022 19:41

Microwaves are handy for softening butter if you don't have an Aga or can't afford to heat your home much. Also for reheating that tea/coffee that you wanted but were too busy to drink.

As a tenant I've never had one provided but if it's included in your Inventory you need to replace it. If it isn't included then you need to remove it, to save it becoming an 'issue'.

If anyone knows of a safe. working micro for £15 I''d be interested, mine's about to pack up.

mummykel16 · 06/02/2022 19:41

@Applefruitcake

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

Yanbu in the slightest

Hospedia · 06/02/2022 19:42

Microwaves have the shortest life span of all the kitchen appliances, they can wear out fairly quickly depending on how often they're used and they also lose their effectiveness as they get older so don't work so well. If the previous tenants stained/damaged it and its more than 4-5 years old then I'd replace it.

Hospedia · 06/02/2022 19:44

Sorry, I'm new to all this

I'd also advise making sure you're 100% aware of your responsibilities, your rights, and your tenant's rights and responsibilities too.

WutheringHeights66 · 06/02/2022 19:45

£10-£15 in Asda? Ha ha ha ha - they aren’t expensive jedsnewstar but show me a new microwave for a tenner.

Cheapest I can find is £55 Argos Cookworks or similar.

To the OP, I would expect one in a furnished property, and if it’s from, old or slow, I’d replace it.

Grumpsy · 06/02/2022 19:45

As long as it’s in working order and safe you have no obligation to replace it, you could give them the option of removing it and they supply their own if they don’t want to use yours.

Original poster

Applefruitcake · 06/02/2022 19:45

@ouch321

You don't own a microwave? What if you want to warm up leftovers or heat up sone baked beans or sonething? You use the hob/oven for every single thing?

Yep, we just use the hob or the oven.

OP posts:

SaySomethingMan · 06/02/2022 19:50

Just get them a new one. Is it really worth you risking your property if something goes wrong with such an old appliance?

I don’t use a microwave either but I would not risk leaving my tenants with such an old one.

TheCatterall · 06/02/2022 19:51

Landlord here. Unless the microwave is part of the agreed list of items in the house remove it. We don’t offer one with the houses. If they want one they buy one and take it with them. We normally provide fridge/freezer and cooker and they get in a bad enough state after most long term tenancies that we renew them every few years. But we learnt early on the microwaves weren’t worth the hassle and folks can buy their own cheaply enough.

SaySomethingMan · 06/02/2022 19:52

@ouch321

You don't own a microwave? What if you want to warm up leftovers or heat up sone baked beans or sonething? You use the hob/oven for every single thing?

I got rid of mine about 4 years ago and don’t miss it.

Whitefire · 06/02/2022 19:52

Oh goodness the prices have increased. We bought one this time last year for MIL and it was £45 iirc, they are now £55.

ChocolateMassacre · 06/02/2022 19:53

Sounds like an old microwave might be a fire risk. Do you really want your tenants using it in your property?

Bagelsandbrie · 06/02/2022 19:54

George at Asda online have some cheaper ones - we got one in the sale the other day for £40. I’d just buy one to keep everyone happy.

purplecorkheart · 06/02/2022 19:54

Last rented house I was in smelt vile when food was heating up despite being scrubbed many times. To be honest I unplugged it and stuck in a cupboard and bought a cheap one from a supermarket. When I moved out I put out the old one and brought mine with me. It ended up in my former work place and was still going strong the last time I was there.

Daphodils · 06/02/2022 19:56

Buy them a microwave you old skinflint!

In the grand scheme of things it is an insignificant cost (or if it is a significant cost then you should reconsider being a landlord). Choose your battles. £100 for happy tenants is money well-spent. If you begrudge providing and maintaining these sorts of appliances then remove them before the next relet.

covilha · 06/02/2022 19:57

I rented out my property as I could not afford to live in it
. Therefore had it written into lease that any white goods which required replacing had to be replaced at tenants expense. For someone in a predicament similar to mine, it wasn’t just a case of picking up a microwave at a supermarket as I simply could not afford to do so. Not all landlords are awash with cash

Original poster

Applefruitcake · 06/02/2022 19:58

The rental agreement only mentions if something is broken, nothing about aesthetics. It is listed in the inventory (which probably is a mistake)

I promise we're not horrible people. We re-painted absolutely every room, had everything deep-cleaned. We recently re-tiled the whole bathroom. But we can't possibly replace everything that has been used, right?

OP posts:

HelloFrostyMorning · 06/02/2022 19:58

@Daphodils

Buy them a microwave you old skinflint!

In the grand scheme of things it is an insignificant cost (or if it is a significant cost then you should reconsider being a landlord). Choose your battles. £100 for happy tenants is money well-spent. If you begrudge providing and maintaining these sorts of appliances then remove them before the next relet.

She doesn't need to spend £100! You can get a new one for £40-45 at Argos, Asda, or Tesco.

Kuachui · 06/02/2022 19:58

you can replace a microwave for £20 so just for that yabu. i would replace a cheap microwave every few years