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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

HelloFrostyMorning · 06/02/2022 19:59

I have to agree with a few others here. Not having a microwave in 2022 is very odd IMO. They are not a new thing, they've been popular for 40 to 45 years now!

A number of people I know who are 80 to 90 years old have one. It's soooo handy for quickly cooking something or quickly heating something up.

The gas bills are about to fly through the roof, why on earth would you waste 5 minutes of gas on heating a few beans, when you could do it in 30 seconds in the microwave? OR 40 minutes cooking something in the oven that can be done in 7 minutes in the microwave? Batshit!

I know there are some things you have to put in the oven... pies, pizza, oven chips etc, but LOTS of things can be cooked in the microwave probably 5 or 6 times faster than in the oven. And things like beans and peas and suchlike can be heated in 30-40 seconds in the microwave, instead of 4-5 minutes on the hob.

And as someone said, it's handy for softening butter, defrosting some things you have to cook in the oven so they take a bit less time in the oven, heating milk etc...

As I said, it's very odd to not have a microwave in 2022.

Kuachui · 06/02/2022 19:59

also no my microwave cost me £20 and lasted me 4 years of almost everyday use until i upgraded to my fancy microwave

mum2jakie · 06/02/2022 19:59

@Kuachui

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

@Kuachui can you link to these bargainous brand new microwaves for £20 please?!

Skyeheather · 06/02/2022 20:02

Do you get all your electric items PAT tested once a year? If so then I would consider the microwave safe and say no.

When I rented a flat a few years ago I bought my own toaster and kettle and put the landlords in the cupboard. Got them back out again when I moved out.

They could buy their own microwave and put yours in a cupboard/loft/garage if they want something better.

5thHelena · 06/02/2022 20:02

@Applefruitcake

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?

There's a difference between stained and aesthetics

HelloFrostyMorning · 06/02/2022 20:03

@Kuachui

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

£20? No way. The cheapest you can get one is around £40.

Daphodils · 06/02/2022 20:03

@covilha

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

This is a bit concerning. There are dozens of things that you're responsible for as a landlord which could need attention and cost hundreds or thousands. If you are so absolutely broke that you can't afford a microwave then you shouldn't be taking on a responsibility which you can't perform.

mummykel16 · 06/02/2022 20:06

Attitudes are bad towards landlords on here.

bbgxd · 06/02/2022 20:06

@PivotPivotPivottt

If they aren't happy with the look of it they can buy their own new one and give the old one back to you or store it somewhere.

Blegh, why would tenants want to store someone's junk in their home - a stinky, stained old microwave?! You need to buy them a new one.

FingersofFish · 06/02/2022 20:06

I'm a landlord and was warned not to provide microwaves as they need an annual check and replacement if they break (by our agent) so we never got one. I haven't bothered to look into whether that was true but if it's stained and/or smells it might technically work but I would replace to minimise risk.

HelloFrostyMorning · 06/02/2022 20:07

@mummykel16

Attitudes are bad towards landlords on here.

I wonder why?

Crikeyalmighty · 06/02/2022 20:08

I won’t rent anywhere unless it’s got top end quality appliances as we pay a lot of money - I haven’t rented furnished though since1997 so not sure if a microwave is the norm in a furnished house. I would just replace it OP— even pretty decent ones are only about £85

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 06/02/2022 20:08

They're so cheap they can buy a new one themselves!

JeffThePilot · 06/02/2022 20:08

Is it on the inventory?

OnwardsAndSideways1 · 06/02/2022 20:09

I rent part furnished (so oven, washing machine, fridge), no microwave, tenants often prefer to have their own of these types of things, same as kettle/toaster.

In future, don't include it in the inventory. You have to maintain whatever you have in the inventory and I wouldn't personally bother replacing these every couple of years (and microwaves are prone to getting dirty looking and breaking).

I've never been asked for a microwave either, so I'm guessing most tenants would be fine with having their own.

In this instance, if it's old and looks shitty, I'd replace it this time as part of the inventory (as an old one can catch fire, mine shorted everything when it did!) Next time, simply don't include microwave.

JeffThePilot · 06/02/2022 20:09

Just saw that it is. In that case I’d just replace it.

covilha · 06/02/2022 20:09

@daphodils : I didn’t take a responsibility I would not perform
, if you read my post, I made it clear they would not be replaced from the outset. Thank you.

BuritoCat · 06/02/2022 20:10

Just buy them the microwave. It's £20 to you. Happiness for them.

We all need a little bit of happiness right now!

Cherrysoup · 06/02/2022 20:11

It’s not an essential item. Message and tell them they are welcome to buy their own and they can put the old one in the loft or whatever. I provided a cooker, washing machine and fridge freezer for one tenant, just the cooker for another. I’ll be crucified as a ll, but it’s not up to the tenant to demand new stuff because of the aesthetics. I replaced the cooker in one property because it died/wasn’t safe (and got a new boiler because it was in an awkward place) and I wouldn’t compromise on that.

Some tenants can be cheeky. One asked me to landscape the garden. It’s a perfect fine very small lawned garden that I cleared of nettles/previous owners’ cat shit myself because I wanted happy tenants, but there wasn’t anything to landscape! I was also asked to provide garden furniture!

gonetogroundnow · 06/02/2022 20:12

No.

If you provide any electrical item, legally you are required to PAT test it every 12 months and the liability is on you, should anything unfortunate happen.

I'm a landlord and an agent and I don't provide any electrical items or white goods for my tenants. It was probably a mistake to have left it there in the first place with a new letting but just reply in writing to tell them it is in working order and if they want a new one they will have to buy one themselves.

I'm with you, don't have a microwave either, unnecessary.

YouHaveYourFathersBreasts · 06/02/2022 20:13

I’ve rented a lot of different places with a lot of different landlords over the years. Microwaves have never been included, I’ve always had my own. Even a lot of the white goods that were included in some of those rentals had notes in the inventory and tenancy about them saying they wouldn’t be fixed or replaced after they finally broke down for good.

I can’t imagine even the nicer landlords I’ve had willing to fork out for any new appliances solely based on how they look as long as they work.

Original poster

Applefruitcake · 06/02/2022 20:14

@mummykel16

Attitudes are bad towards landlords on here.

I've noticed 😅

OP posts:

kittykutty · 06/02/2022 20:18

Nobody likes right-fisted landlords. I've rented twice, it really makes a difference to have a nice clean property and a responsive owner.

Splitting hairs over a £50 microwave and expecting them to use it, store it, or dispose of it themselves isn't going to go down well.

BuritoCat · 06/02/2022 20:18

Reading your other comments you actually sound like a good landlord having recently re tiled etc. don't buy it.
Sorry my feelings towards landlords aren't great as I've been asking mine to fix the front door handle that has been constantly falling off for the past six years and he's still not bothered! You on the other hand sound like a good one so I take back my comment.

stuntbubbles · 06/02/2022 20:19

@mummykel16

Attitudes are bad towards landlords on here.

In what way?

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