Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
betwixtlives · 06/02/2022 20:20

@Crikeyalmighty

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
You’ve been renting for 25 years? What a waste of money
MoiraNotRuby · 06/02/2022 20:23

I'm renting and never expected the house to have a microwave, I bought my own. The washing machine keeps showing an error code though and this thread has reminded me to do something about that!

PivotPivotPivottt · 06/02/2022 20:25

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.

There's no mention if it being "stinky". Its been professionally cleaned. It has stains. White appliances can stain easily from stuff like beans or curry for example. My own microwave has some stains inside but it's cleaned out and doesn't smell. I used to work in a chip shop and if we didn't clean the curry splashes straight away then they often would leave a yellow stain behind. Stains don't smell.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 06/02/2022 20:27

The £10 microwave must be like the Mumsnet chicken.
I personally don't own a microwave, so it's hard to tell if it's 'essential' for others
I’ve had one for about the last 30 years, as have most people I know, but maybe that’s just the circles I move in.

Lineofconcepcion · 06/02/2022 20:28

Absolutely not.

saleorbouy · 06/02/2022 20:28

Depends how you want to play it. I always liked to make sure my tenants were happy in the property and if a small gesture like a new microwave is easy to do then why not.
Keeping tenants long term is the most cost effective as they become more attached to the home and generally look after it.
Losing tenants over small fixable issues costs in lost rent and expenses to find and vet new tenants.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 06/02/2022 20:31

@daimbarsatemydogsbone

The £10 microwave must be like the Mumsnet chicken. I personally don't own a microwave, so it's hard to tell if it's 'essential' for others I’ve had one for about the last 30 years, as have most people I know, but maybe that’s just the circles I move in.

Here you go, one for £13. techstocker.com/?product=asda-george-home-gmm001b-18-700w-microwave-oven-freestanding-17l-black I can't imagine it's much good!

mum2jakie · 06/02/2022 20:33

That's a dead link! Probably out of stock with the unicorn horns...

kittykutty · 06/02/2022 20:33

@PivotPivotPivottt

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.

There's no mention if it being "stinky". Its been professionally cleaned. It has stains. White appliances can stain easily from stuff like beans or curry for example. My own microwave has some stains inside but it's cleaned out and doesn't smell. I used to work in a chip shop and if we didn't clean the curry splashes straight away then they often would leave a yellow stain behind. Stains don't smell.

Nasty regardless. It's their home, they shouldn't have to store junk even if they agree to buy their own.

DynamiteFilledRadish · 06/02/2022 20:33

£44 from asda will buy a new microwave.

I think you're being totally unreasonable. You won't answer the people asking how old the microwave is, nor the people asking how stained it is. For £44 you have happy tenants.

TheHateIsNotGood · 06/02/2022 20:34

OP has stated in her last post that it's included in the Inventory - so unless it's passed an Electrician's Safety Check in the last 12 months, it needs replacing. Otherwise she leaves herself wide-open to possible future probs.

If MN appears to be anti-LL that's just a reflection of the impossible housing situation; perversely I wish the owners of the house next door were LLs, rather than keeping it empty for most of the year.

PivotPivotPivottt · 06/02/2022 20:38

Nasty regardless. It's their home, they shouldn't have to store junk even if they agree to buy their own.

It's not junk. Its a working microwave which the OP didn't have to provide. I've never had microwave provided in any of the properties I've been in. They can offer it back to the OP and replace with their own if a microwave is going to be such a big ordeal to store away. I'm pretty sure by now the OP would probably be glad if they just binned it and replaced it with their own.

Original poster
Applefruitcake · 06/02/2022 20:41

Thank you to everyone who commented, Its always useful to see a range of viewpoints. I'm just trying to gather what would usually be expected.

Like someone mentioned above, it is white, so stains easily. I would have thought staining is pretty typical for a used microwave?

OP posts:
stuntbubbles · 06/02/2022 20:41

@PivotPivotPivottt

Nasty regardless. It's their home, they shouldn't have to store junk even if they agree to buy their own.

It's not junk. Its a working microwave which the OP didn't have to provide. I've never had microwave provided in any of the properties I've been in. They can offer it back to the OP and replace with their own if a microwave is going to be such a big ordeal to store away. I'm pretty sure by now the OP would probably be glad if they just binned it and replaced it with their own.

It’s in the inventory. Should the tenants bin everything else on there and just buy their own?
Peoniesandpeaches · 06/02/2022 20:43

In my last 2 rentals my landlord provided a microwave so yes it’s increasingly common for them to do so. If it’s stained and older then yes I’d replace it because it’s clearly making them uncomfortable. Happy tenants stay for longer so it’s a good, minimal investment. It’s not like they are asking for a new oven!

saleorbouy · 06/02/2022 20:44

PAT testing is not required annually.....
This is an extract from the HSE website regarding PAT testing
"It's a myth that all portable electrical appliances in a low-risk environment, such as an office, need to have a portable appliance test (PAT) every year. The law simply requires employers to ensure electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger – it doesn't state what needs to be done or how often."
See the section in below "How often should I check my appliances?" which links to HSE
www.nrla.org.uk/resources/energy-efficiency/pat-testing

mummykel16 · 06/02/2022 20:44

@Applefruitcake

Thank you to everyone who commented, Its always useful to see a range of viewpoints. I'm just trying to gather what would usually be expected.

Like someone mentioned above, it is white, so stains easily. I would have thought staining is pretty typical for a used microwave?

I'd hate to be a landlord, so much stress so few rights that don't cost thousands.

Unless you're the council of course.

ittakes2 · 06/02/2022 20:45

If its on the inventory list than its your responsibility. How old is old? If its old I would also be worried about leaking.

PivotPivotPivottt · 06/02/2022 20:47

It’s in the inventory. Should the tenants bin everything else on there and just buy their own?

Well yes if they want a fully working microwave replaced by something that looks better. As I mentioned my house has a cooker that I wish to replace because I would rather electric than gas and I also want something a bit nicer to look at it but it works fine so I will buy this myself and store the landlords and take my own if I ever move. I wasn't happy with the ancient carpets and replaced them by myself. When I move I will have to leave them behind. That's the choice I made I wanted nice stuff in my home then I had to buy it myself. A previous house I moved into had a minging old oven. I threw it out and bought my own and left it when I moved out so I didn't lose my deposit. But as I've mentioned maybe I've always had shit landlords so maybe I'm way off Confused.

oviraptor21 · 06/02/2022 20:47

This. How old exactly is it?

3Daddy31982 · 06/02/2022 20:48

Don't replace. A mw isn't standard.

oviraptor21 · 06/02/2022 20:50

As a home owner I don't replace any appliances until they stop working.

betwixtlives · 06/02/2022 20:50

@3Daddy31982

Don't replace. A mw isn't standard.
It is
PivotPivotPivottt · 06/02/2022 20:50

Didn't mean to write maybe I've always had shit landlords, I actually HAVE always had shit landlords.

Original poster
Applefruitcake · 06/02/2022 20:51

@saleorbouy

Depends how you want to play it. I always liked to make sure my tenants were happy in the property and if a small gesture like a new microwave is easy to do then why not. Keeping tenants long term is the most cost effective as they become more attached to the home and generally look after it. Losing tenants over small fixable issues costs in lost rent and expenses to find and vet new tenants.
Yes, I completely agree with you there. Of course we want them to be happy / have a good relationship with them etc. But at the same time, if I accept this, then I would have to accept other similar requests in the future. Obviously if something is broken, I would replace ASAP but I don't want to have to replace things everytime they decide its too old or used etc.
OP posts: