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Original poster

Overseas landlord - where would you buy a washer dryer

46 replies

NewToRenting · 14/10/2020 12:02

Hi all. I need to buy a washer dryer for the tiny 2 bed property that I rent out.

The property has been guzzling money on repairs and refurb, and I don't want to end up buying something that needs to be repaired / replaced every few months.

Looking for recommendations with regard to model, retailer and extended warranty. Is it worth buying from John Lewis for their 2 year guarantee?

OP posts:
saraclara · 14/10/2020 14:31

Hmm..only just saw that the present machine is only a year old! I think they should pay towards the upgrade, personally.

Polyxena · 14/10/2020 14:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
NewToRenting · 14/10/2020 18:36

Thanks so much everyone, landlords usually get such a bad rep, this was a breath of fresh air!

I just got off the phone with the estate agents and tenants have agreed to pay for the new machine (and sell the old one, and keep whatever they get). So they are in effect paying for the upgrade, yay!

Now there's a new headache - they say the ceiling heating (electrical) is not working in one bedroom. The estate agent's tradesman says it's not worth trying to fix ceiling heating and we should install wall mounted heaters...another 6-700 pounds... sigh :(

OP posts:
Mumofone87 · 14/10/2020 18:40

Are the tenants aware that the new machine stays in the house after the leave? I’d make sure you have this in writing, just in case they end up pocketing the money from selling your machine and take the one they purchased with them.

Original poster
NewToRenting · 14/10/2020 18:44

Thanks for pointing that out, I've said that new machine (and all warranty docs) has to be bought in my name. I will chase the estate agent for all the papers.

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SpringFan · 14/10/2020 19:02

Sorry, but washer driers are a pain. I would say no replacement with a washer drier, even if they are paying for it. With respect, your tenants moved into a property with a washer, not a washer drier, I'm a LL too and that is what I would say.
When DS was looking for one in a shared house, the cost of a decent one rated by Which was £500-700. They ended up with a graded one from appliances direct as he is hoping to move on in a year.

DespairingHomeowner · 14/10/2020 19:21

@NewToRenting

Thanks so much everyone, landlords usually get such a bad rep, this was a breath of fresh air!

I just got off the phone with the estate agents and tenants have agreed to pay for the new machine (and sell the old one, and keep whatever they get). So they are in effect paying for the upgrade, yay!

Now there's a new headache - they say the ceiling heating (electrical) is not working in one bedroom. The estate agent's tradesman says it's not worth trying to fix ceiling heating and we should install wall mounted heaters...another 6-700 pounds... sigh :(

Is anyone checking this for you / sorting a repair?

I rented for 9 years and didn’t make so many requests...I agree working heating is a basic, but when you said money pit you were not wrong ...

Popcornismandatory · 14/10/2020 19:42

You sound like a lovely landlord! Whereabouts in the UK is your rental?
If anywhere near me we could help as my DH deals with quite a few overseas landlords.

unmarkedbythat · 14/10/2020 19:55

@Mumofone87

Are the tenants aware that the new machine stays in the house after the leave? I’d make sure you have this in writing, just in case they end up pocketing the money from selling your machine and take the one they purchased with them.
Why would you assume they were thieves?
Jackparlabane · 14/10/2020 20:00

I can confirm the JL guarantee isnt really worth it - they took over 2 weeks to come out to our washing machine, then insisted on ordering a part, and it was a right hassle, though they did eventually replace the machine.

That was a while ago and I hear they've been trying to sort out the bad reputation their service side has got in recent years.

AO will deliver quickly, usually.

TweeBree · 14/10/2020 20:38

Bosch/Siemens come with 3 year warranties that you can upgrade to 5 years. You can book repair visits online.

Polyxena · 14/10/2020 21:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pluckedpencil · 14/10/2020 21:16

I honestly wouldn't do this with your tenants. I'd be telling them the property came with a washer, not a washer dryer. They are going to sell your washer and take their washer dryer with them!!
Tell them no!! Or if not, tell the agency they can sell your washer for another property and give you the money, and leave an empty space for your tenants to buy a washer dryer themselves to take with them. Future tenants then sort out their own white goods. I am an overseas landlord and we sold all our four year old white goods to our tenants so we didn't have to replace them when they broke. This was on the advice of our property managers. Your property managers don't sound that great honestly. They should be pushing back on this shit.

unmarkedbythat · 14/10/2020 22:15

@Polyxena

Why would you assume they were thieves?

She didn’t say they were thieves. She pointed out that the current tenants might mistakenly assume that they ‘owned’ the new washer/dryer and take it with them when they leave unless it was specified that it needed to remain.

Or are you just looking to pick a fight with landlords?

Why would you think I would want to "pick a fight" with someone because they were a landlord? What an odd comment to make Confused.

She said they might "pocket the money from selling your machine and take the one they purchased with them". Why assume they would act so dishonestly? Why assume a tenant will steal money and goods from a landlord? Unpleasant attitude.

Justpassingtime1 · 15/10/2020 06:33

It is not that tenants are possibly going to steal. It is just that some assume that if movable things are left in the property they can take them with them on departure.
Similarly tenants some times leave old furniture and rubbish for the ll to clear.
Tenants will never look after a property the same as an owner will.
Replacing a working apparatus so soon in the tenancy would not be
reasonable and what next? A new oven?

Original poster
NewToRenting · 16/10/2020 11:09

@Popcornismandatory the property is in Woking.

I will start another thread for the heating - I have no idea what to go for...electric/ oil, wall mounted/ standalone...have to factor in the one time installation costs, and also maintenance/ upkeep costs over the years.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewToRenting · 16/10/2020 11:14

@pluckedpencil that's interesting. We were always advised that the lack of white goods would reduce the expected rent or marketability of the property.

OP posts:
saraclara · 16/10/2020 14:01

[quote NewToRenting]@pluckedpencil that's interesting. We were always advised that the lack of white goods would reduce the expected rent or marketability of the property.[/quote]
I agree with you in a small property. I've helped (single) friends look for rentals and none would consider somewhere without basic white goods. A renter buying white goods in a small rental which is unlikely to be a long term home, ends up with stuff that might not even fit in their next home, and the hassle of trying to get rid of it.

Families moving into a larger property might have different views and want their own stuff. But you say your place is small, so I think it would be much less marketable without white goods, to someone who is presumably on a very limited budget.

GrumpyHoonMain · 16/10/2020 14:10

@NewToRenting

Hi all. I need to buy a washer dryer for the tiny 2 bed property that I rent out.

The property has been guzzling money on repairs and refurb, and I don't want to end up buying something that needs to be repaired / replaced every few months.

Looking for recommendations with regard to model, retailer and extended warranty. Is it worth buying from John Lewis for their 2 year guarantee?

I have started to offer the cost of a door to door cleaning, washing and ironing service instead of the washer/dryer (and the tenant can upgrade this as they wish) and added it to the cost of the rent. It has proved really popular as I rent a small flat to young professionals and the service I use is top notch. It has save me so much money already in repairs and stress!
Longdistance · 16/10/2020 14:13

Argos did a cracking job of removing our old integrated dishwasher, disposing of it and fitting the new one.

Original poster
NewToRenting · 16/10/2020 14:18

@GrumpyHoonMain wow what a creative idea!
@Longdistance I would do that only if the old machine was no longer of any use

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