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

I have 3 rentals

1 holiday let fully furnished
2 standard private rentals with no appliances at all apart from gas rings and electric oven and grill

I've learnt from experience not to supply white goods if they go wrong it's an unexpected bill on my part

Holiday let it's expected but if people are staying and paying to rent it only supply something nice you'd be happy with and grotty old applicant are unsafe and gross

@Lindy2

I've been a landlord over 20 years and never provided a microwave.

I supply and replace as necessary a fridge freezer, cooker and washing machine.

A microwave would be regarded as a portable electric appliance like a kettle or toaster and something tenants supply for themselves and take with them when they leave.

I'm not a stingy landlord. I supply good quality accommodation and my tenants generally stay for many years.

Not providing is fine, it's only tight if you leave an old, used appliance and expect the tenant to store it for you or pay to dispose of it themselves.

I would replace the microwave as a gesture of good will, you don’t need to use it as a precedent.

I am a landlord and always sort things out quickly, I would think this a slightly cheeky request but it’s so cheap to replace and might benefit you in the future with tenants staying long term and looking after your property well!

Sorry, I'm new to all this

No shit! You don't sound like you're suited to it either.

I agree you should just replace it as they don't cost much.. however no rental property that I've lived in has had a microwave provided. I would expect to have to buy my own small appliances for the kitchen like kettle, toaster and microwave. It also depends on whether it's listed as one of the contents on the tenancy agreement.

If you’re too stingy to buy them a new one, get over there with some baking soda and Fairy liquid. Make a paste and scrub off the stains.

I had to do this to the fridge in my old flat because it was disgusting and ancient, and my tightfisted arsehole of a landlord wouldn’t replace it, even though it only had one shelf.. guess who had to pay for new shelves too? Stingy fuck wouldn’t reimburse me for those either. The baking soda and Fairy brought it up lovely, apart from the rust.

I moved out of that flat after a year by the way. The landlord threw a fit when he found out. I got all my deposit back to, after dispute resolution.

And I have rented a house with a microwave. It wasn’t disgusting.

@Gooseberrypies - I'd probably do eBay but would check local shops first or Facebook groups

As long as it is in vgc

If it was in the property when they moved in and is on the inventory then you have to replace it IF IT IS FAULTY not if they don’t like it! If they’re that unhappy with it then they can buy themselves one, they’re not that pricey. You’re probably thinking well it’s not that expensive so I’ll just replace it, but believe me if you do that (just because they want you to) they’ll be asking you to redecorate, replace the bathroom suite and pay for their window cleaner next ! I’ve been there.

@Lindy2

I've been a landlord over 20 years and never provided a microwave.

I supply and replace as necessary a fridge freezer, cooker and washing machine.

A microwave would be regarded as a portable electric appliance like a kettle or toaster and something tenants supply for themselves and take with them when they leave.

I'm not a stingy landlord. I supply good quality accommodation and my tenants generally stay for many years.

Me too. I learnt long ago that the more you provide, the more hassle

For everyone saying it's so cheap, if it is in perfect working order then IMHO it is on the tenants to buy a new one to their liking since it is so cheap.

I have lived in plenty of furnished rentals where the furniture is dated and worn but perfectly useable. It would have never crossed my mind to ask the LL to replace those items just because they weren't brand new unless they were broken/faulty. If there was anything that the LL provided that I didn't want to use then I just bought my own, put the LLs item in a cupboard and left it there until I moved out, at which point I took my item and put the LLs back out.

As someone who has lived in rental for over 15 years (always excellent relationships with landlords and long-term stays), please replace it. There is a difference between something having had some use and not being brand new, and something being stained - giving the impression of it being unhygienic, old, etc.

Have you ever been to a self-catering holiday rental, where it looks like the owners have chucked all their old second-hand mismatched stuff in to decorate, instead of trying to invest a little and come up with something that actually matches and is not predominantly from the seventies? You know the type, things just a bit yellowed, sofa just a bit bumpy? Just a little black mould creeping around the shower's edges? The stained microwave is the equivalent of this.

The rule should be: if you would not happily be using a piece of equipment or piece of furniture yourself because of the state it is in, don't put it in a rental property. Making rental money is relatively easy money. But it still requires work and dedication. You have people shelling out a lot to live in your place, and you have a moral duty to make sure their stay is one of a decent level. They are literally paying you for this, it is not some type of undeserved favour they are asking you for. Mucky-looking stuff is not going to make them feel at home in what should be their new personal safe space.

@Wavypurple

Get a grip. It’s a microwave. Get a new one with the ££££ in income you’re getting from the tenants having to beg for a modern appliance.

This is why I can’t stand landlords.

Massive generalisation there.

@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 do, it’s far nicer heated on the hob, or in the oven.

I do own a microwave but it’s not essential.

Your tenants OP represent all that is wrong with the world. It still works - why replace it and chuck the fully working microwave into landfill? Utter madness.

@curlymom

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

It’s jealousy or resentment. Ignore it!

I’m not a landlord, but the bitterness towards them here is awful.

Most of the spiteful posts are clearly from resentful tenants - these landlords are providing you with a home that I’m guessing you wouldn’t be able to afford to buy, hence the renting. Why be so bitter and spiteful? There are bad landlords, just are there are awful tenants.

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.

So don't? That's a hypothetical, they're asking you to replace an old stained microwave which seems fair, if they start asking you to replace other things that don't need replaced^^ you just say no

You don't need to let it be a precedent

A friend rented out a property, and the tenant (who also had properties of her own rented out) was forever requesting unnecessary stuff - she even expected the managing agent to send someone to change lightbulbs at one stage. It was costing a fortune until my friend put her foot down and said all call outs had to be authorised by her.
No it's not expensive - but if the existing one works, I'd be concerned about it being the first in a long line of requests.

In any rental I've ever lived in (with the exception of uni halls) I have had to buy my own microwave. I wouldn't replace it if it's working

If it's really ugly and old and dirty looking I'd replace it. It's cheap to do so, and a stained appliance will make their home look dirty. For the sake of £15 I'd do it to keep the relationship good.

However, when I lived in the UK and rented, none of the properties came with microwaves. They're not essentials. So you don't have to, of course.

@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?

Breaking news: not every person does things the same way

We don't use a microwave either.

[quote Applefruitcake]@nowayoutonlydown
"It's also a really poor show if they won't just replace a microwave themselves, how far will this attitude go? New toaster? New kettle?....New light bulbs because the ones left in the property have blown?"

Well, this is exactly what I'm worried about, not really the microwave itself[/quote]
If its on the inventory they can just replace it themselves without either storing yours or buying the new one for your house, with your approval.

As a pp said an old microwave can leak radiation and be dangerous. If its old enough to have stains even after being professionally cleaned I'm not sure I would feel comfortable using it either. The fact that you don't have one is neither here nor there. You supply your rental property with one that your tenants have concerns about

Just get them one Op, it's a microwave they're not expensive. You're being super tight.

But them a new microwave for goodness sake, it’s only £30-40. If they’re new tenants and that’s all they’re bothered about, be thankful.

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?