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Original poster

Landlords: would you pay for tenants' food spoiling?

16 replies

NapaCab · 06/12/2012 23:06

We live abroad and our house is rented out. New tenants moved in last week and although a full inventory was done after the last tenant moved out and I was told that everything was in good order, it appears that the fridge is not working. Through the letting agents, I've arranged for a repairman to come out and fix it and he has said that he has to order a part which will arrive next Monday. In the meantime, I've provided a temporary worktop fridge for the tenants to use.

They're now claiming that it's not acceptable and that food has spoiled due to a lack of a fridge and so they would like compensation from me for this. Would you pay this or is it enough that I've tried to fix the problem asap and provided a temporary alternative?

OP posts:
Flatbread · 07/12/2012 08:10

I am a ll and woud pay for the food. But it would to be a reasonable amount, like 30 quid or in that ballpark

Gatorade · 07/12/2012 08:16

I'm a Landlord, I'm not sure in this circumstance, how did they not realise the fridge wasn't working before they put the food in it?

To keep the peace I might agree to a token gesture. If they have home contents insurance it would probably be covered by that, not that I imagine they would want to claim given how small the amount will be.

Lesbeadiva · 07/12/2012 08:18

I am a ll and don't think I would. Doesn't that come under house insurance? That they would need to have for contents? I am not sure tbh

Flatbread · 07/12/2012 08:47

Gatorade, even if the tenants realised the fridge was not working, what could they do? As I understand it, they have just moved in.

A small countertop fridge cannot handle a normal fridge load, so am not surprised the food went off.

IMO, since they have just moved in, it is the LLs responsibility to make sure provided appliances are in working condition. She/her agent should compensate accordingly.

specialsubject · 07/12/2012 09:20

you don't have to, that is what their contents insurance is for and given that fridges get opened a lot, you would think that they would have sufficient gorm to notice.

perhaps a goodwill gesture of £20 if you are feeling nice, which will keep them going until Monday.

Flatbread · 07/12/2012 10:40

Wow, I guess my tenants are 'lucky' or perhaps I treat them as paying customers, which they are.

If they claim on their insurance, their premium will go up. In other words, they will end up paying for the losses incurred through OP and her agents incompetency in ensuring that the fridge was in working condition when the tenants moved it.

I treat my tenants really well, and make sure I address any complaints quickly. Touchwood, never had an late/missed rental payments or tenant damage to date.

Mutual respect for others belongings (in this case the tenant's perishable food items) goes a long way in maintaining goodwill on both sides.

Original poster
NapaCab · 07/12/2012 14:44

Looks like it's a bit of a grey area then. I kind of feel like paying something as a goodwill gesture since they've just moved in e.g £20 but on the other hand, I also feel pretty annoyed that they're hassling me about it as it's really the fault of the agent for not doing the proper checks before they moved in. I got e-mails forwarded to me from them when I'm paying an LA to deal with correspondence. I had been assured that everything was in working order and the exit check with the previous tenant showed up no problems and as I live abroad, I had to trust what I was being told.

If we're going to all start asking for compensation, then I feel like I should be asking the LA to compensate me!

OP posts:
Gatorade · 07/12/2012 14:47

Complain to the letting agent and they may cover the compensation the tenant wants. A letting agent once incorrectly told one of my tenants that there was a washer drier in the apartment (and put this in the inventory) when it was infact only a washing machine (as had alway been the case and as included on the original inventory I gave the agent). Since this was the LA's error they ended up buying a new one for the tenant.

Flatbread · 07/12/2012 15:59

I live abroad too. I hire a LA to find tenants and do reference checks. But never to manage the let, as I prefer to do that myself. I can always find tradesman through the net and if an appliance stops working, I just replace it, tbh. I can't bother with the faff of repairing fridges, cookers or washing machines. Much easier to get a new one in. It is just one of the costs of being a long-distance LL.

I don't understand why you are annoyed with the tenants. You hired the LA and if they turn out to be incompetent, it means you made a bad choice. Why should your tenants lose out? I agree with Gatorade that you should try to get your LA to compensate you. But whether you manage that or not, I would compensate the tenants. And fire the LA as soon as possible.

frostyfingers · 07/12/2012 18:25

If you have a letting agency then surely the fridge not working would have shown up? Ours was on and running when we had our inventory, and I assume there wasn't a massive time lapse between the inventory and them moving in?

I think the blame lies with the agents, can you ask them to compensate for the lack of fridge and replacement contents. I don't blame the tenants for asking tbh, I'd be pretty annoyed but I should direct them toward the agents if I were you.

kitsmummy · 07/12/2012 19:11

someone should compensate the tenants (the letting agents really if you can get the money out of them)

kitsmummy · 07/12/2012 19:12

should have added this is not worth pissing the tenants off over - they may turn out to be good tenants who are with you for years

QueenofWhatever · 07/12/2012 20:00

You need to separate the issue with the tenants to the more significant issue with the LA. I use LA for finding tenants and contracting but manage myself as they are often pretty useless at it.

I would write a short, neutral e-mail to the tenants saying that the LA has messed up and that you will be dealing with that. Then I would send them £25, possibly a supermarket voucher.

There are invariably hassles at the beginning of a tenancy even with the best tenants. Start well and they're more likely to stay and respect your property.

nocake · 07/12/2012 21:42

We had a similar issue when our tenants changed this year. The new tenants were very patient while we got the problem sorted out so we gave them some supermarket vouchers as a thank you. We had no obligation to do this but we get good tenants and we like to reciprocate by being good landlords.

If they were hassling me I might be less inclined to be generous.

cowboylover · 08/12/2012 11:18

I agree with Queenof

I would send a letter/email saying you where misadvised that everything was in working order, you will be dealing with it, the repair organised and a voucher for good will.

You don't want to seam like you don't care as they could be good tenants for the future but don't want to encourage the hassling as I'm sure some think its the only way to get any attention.

StrawberriesTasteLikeLipsDo · 08/12/2012 13:32

Its just before christmas, and you dont know their situation financially, moving is expensive! If it were me it would be a freezer loss that would do us in, we are a family on a budget as may your tenants be. You may perceive it as hassling you but think of the stress this is causing them if money is tight! I would reimburse them and the insist the LA reimburses you. Your LA sounds shit tbh! Not your tenants! Glad my LL isnt so penny pinching!

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