To Not Buy Tenants a New Microwave?

[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

@Jedsnewstar

Old microwaves are dangerous as they can leak.

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

£10-15?!?! Was that a typo?!

@PivotPivotPivottt

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

Haha, I don’t think there are any other kind

If it’s listed in the inventory it should be provided. Regardless of whether they need a microwave, you agreed to provide one as part of the tenancy.

What did the schedule of condition say for the current microwave when they moved in? Was it stained? I’ve moved into a flat before with an icky microwave and it was gross. Although I just bought a nice new one for me and then put the icky one back for the landlord when I moved out!

I picked up a nice microwave a few months ago from Wilko @ £40 so it’s not a massive outlay to maintain good relations.

What is with landlords like this? Are you landlords only entitled to any sort of luxuries? The property is 'furnished'. If you don't want to pay for furnished, don't furnish it and lower your price.

So have you had it PAT tested in the last 12 months op?

If you don’t provide it. They can’t ask for a new one.

I’m a lovely landlord @stuntbubbles. My tenants stay for years and many are my lifetime friends now. We aren’t all bad

What is with tenants like this? Can they only survive if everything is brand new? What happened to looking after the environment and only replacing the appliance when it no longer works. Some people have more money than sense it seems .... especially when it's someone else's money.

@curlymom

I’m a lovely landlord *@stuntbubbles*. My tenants stay for years and many are my lifetime friends now. We aren’t all bad

lol

@Applefruitcake I've privately rented for 19 years until recently. If the microwave is mentioned in the tenancy agreement inventory then it needs to be maintained (and I believe also PAT tested every year) and replaced when broken/dying. Sounds like it's on its way out, even though it's not yet broken.

Thing is, if it conks out one random day (when you're inevitably busy or broke) then you have to obtain a replacement as soon as reasonably possible as it's considered part of the property. I'd much prefer to replace something when there's time to ponder over which one or to find the spare cash etc. Rather than scrambling to find one on a Friday afternoon for example.

@curlymom

If you don’t provide it. They can’t ask for a new one.

OP has stated that she did provide it. It's listed in the inventory. Something she doubtless now regrets

You chose to provide a microwave, so you need to ensure it is safe and in good working order.

When was the last time it was safety checked?

I still don’t understand the stains even with a white microwave, where are the actual stains?

Also when was the last PAT test? That should at least give your tenants some confidence that despite its age it is safe

@oviraptor21

What is with tenants like this? Can they only survive if everything is brand new? What happened to looking after the environment and only replacing the appliance when it no longer works. Some people have more money than sense it seems .... especially when it's someone else's money.

If they're paying a grand to live in a place, it's not unreasonable to want a clean looking appliance. I don't know about elsewhere but in London a 1 bed flat is at the barest minimum £1000pcm. If someone is paying you a grand every month, you need to be accommodating (within reason). It's better in the long term for everyone.

I doubt op has done a PAT test as it costs money.

Well the landlord writes the inventory so writing it is providing it. @GrannytoaUnicorn

The venn diagram of tight stingy people and landlords I imagine is just one circle.

It would appear so

@Jedsnewstar

Old microwaves are dangerous as they can leak.

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

@Jedsnewstar I got my microwave from Asda, it was Asda own brand but was about £40, that was the cheapest..

This is why I hate landlords

@gonetogroundnow PAT testing is not a legal requirement for landlords in England and Wales. The EICR is the legal requirement. PAT testing is advised as ‘good practice’.

PAT testing is legally required as part of the EICR in Scotland but that’s every 5 years not annually, I think. So really it depends where OP’s rental is.

buy them a new one, on average they are meant to last about 8 years, they can start leaking radiation when they get older, I am sure they are paying more then enough rent for you to replace it.

If it works and is safe then no don't bin it and buy a new one. Otherwise just buy a cheap one , I wouldn't buy a pretty/expensive one.

Some strange responses here. Can only think many have never rented but hate landlords anyway! I've had reasonably good landlords but there's no way they'd replace an old but functioning item.

And this is ludicrous :

Thing is, if it conks out one random day (when you're inevitably busy or broke) then you have to obtain a replacement as soon as reasonably possible as it's considered part of the property. I'd much prefer to replace something when there's time to ponder over which one or to find the spare cash etc. Rather than scrambling to find one on a Friday afternoon for example.

As soon as reasonably possible is probably going to be 28 days as long as there's an alternative way of cooking in the property.

Unfortunately a lot of rented accommodation is just left to rot, if you don't insist stuff is sorted before you move in then it never will be.

The venn diagram of tight stingy people and landlords I imagine is just one circle.

Not unless all stingy people are landlords