Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Landlord replacing expensive TV with cheap one

33 replies

proensat · 04/10/2021 07:46

Hello, bit of a first world problem really.
We rent a (very) expensive, fully furnished apartment in a city. It comes with everything, eg coffee machine, speaker system. Which is why it is about £400 a month more than other places.

The sitting room has a top of the range television, think £1,000+ when new but is a good few years old now. When we moved in, it was broken. The estate agents tried getting out of fixing it/replacing it, but gave in. They have purchased a new one for the flat, but it is a low quality one. Think cheapest chinese make they could get their hands on.

Is it not fair to expect that if something breaks in the flat, that it is fitted with something of similar quality? It really does look cheap and nasty (chunky and out of style with the ultra modern decor)

OP posts:

BlueberrySugar · 04/10/2021 07:48

Well they've replaced it. It doesn't have to be like for like.

If you dislike it that much the only option you have is to store that one away and get your own.

Warmduscher · 04/10/2021 07:49

You’re right, it’s a first world problem.

Warmduscher · 04/10/2021 07:52

Also unless it was a Bang and Olufsen, your old TV was probably made in China too.

NutellaEllaElla · 04/10/2021 07:55

I doubt you'd get anywhere complaining tbh. Don't most people buy their own TV?

H0cusP0cus · 04/10/2021 07:55

If you don't like it that much buy your own.
They've replaced so their job is done.

WheelieBinPrincess · 04/10/2021 07:58

I’d say the onus is on you to get your own TV, if you want to dictate the style and quality- never had I’ve supplied in a rental place. Sounds a bit unusual to rent somewhere that comes with gadgets etc.

FinallyFluid · 04/10/2021 07:58

Meanwhile in Syria...

JackofGentlemen · 04/10/2021 07:59

Hmmm. Interesting. I think I'd be negotiating the rent down a bit, but I have no idea if that's reasonable or not! If you're paying for a certain standard of furnishing, then I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a like for like TV.

ApolloandDaphne · 04/10/2021 07:59

Buy your own one and put the cheap one in the bedroom or store it. I've never known a rented flat to come with a tv.

babouchette · 04/10/2021 08:00

Admittedly a first world problem but putting that to the side, I'd probably look for somewhere else. If this is indicative of their general attitude to upkeep and maintenance you are going to have a few battles on your hands.

Tellmewhat · 04/10/2021 08:01

Yes buy your own and take it with you when you leave. I’ve not known rental properties to have TVs either so you probably have to accept the cheap one.

bridgeofslides · 04/10/2021 08:01

What's in the tennancy?

ivykaty44 · 04/10/2021 08:02

If they have replaced the TV set with a TV set, they have kept their obligation. Same with dishwasher, washing machine and fridge etc

TheQueef · 04/10/2021 08:03

If it forms part of the rental contract (sounds like you are paying extra for luxury furnished) then you could argue breech of contract.
Or don't renew the contract.
It is a bit how the other half live for most of us but if it's contracted you are within your rights to reject inferior replacements.

TheGriffle · 04/10/2021 08:03

Does it say anything in your rental agreement about items being replaced like for like? I think that’s the only way you could argue your case if it does. Otherwise, if you can afford it I’d buy my own and store the other one until you leave.

Mumdiva99 · 04/10/2021 08:03

What does the lease say? That's really the only comeback you have. I actually do get it....renting a fully furnished place you are paying for the full experience.....it's like booking the ritz and finding a portable black and white set (remember them) in the corner of the room. OK in an emergency but not what you are paying for.

BumBurnerBum · 04/10/2021 08:04

So many responses on this thread are poisoned by jealousy.

I think as you paying for premium you should expect the standard to be maintained and can raise it with the landlord/agent.

OchreBlue · 04/10/2021 08:06

What does your contract say? Usually things like this, including all white goods, are not actually the landlords responsibility. They may provide them but they're under no obligation to replace them if they break. Just like 'furnished' doesn't actually specify anything in particular will be provide. Our last landlord refused to replace the broken washing machine, or remove it so we had room to put in our own one, that was a pain, but legally he didn't have to.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 04/10/2021 08:17

I think you have a point OP, but it's unlikely you can force them to do anything about it. Especially as the original one wasn't even working when you moved in so you can't say from experience that it's not the same quality of picture etc.

For people saying they've never heard of a rented home with everything provided there is a sort of separate market for this kind of place mostly aimed at people who move place to place or country to country fairly frequently for high salary jobs. They want to just turn up with a suitcase and not have to sort a load of stuff out. DH used to rent those sorts of flats when he took a contract abroad. It was more comfortable than a hotel and meant the DC and I could go and stay with him sometimes.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 04/10/2021 08:22

Well, now we’ve got the opinions on luxury TVs out of the way…

The fact it was broken when you moved in may be relevant here. Did you know that before you moved?

Is the spec of the TV detailed in your contract; and if so, does it mention that it’s not working?

Warmduscher · 04/10/2021 08:23

@BumBurnerBum

So many responses on this thread are poisoned by jealousy.

I think as you paying for premium you should expect the standard to be maintained and can raise it with the landlord/agent.

The OP herself said it was a bit of a first world problem. Some of us agree.

Warmduscher · 04/10/2021 08:26

@BlackAmericanoNoSugar

Surely people in that situation (I’m assuming moving around for work, but correct me if I’m wrong) don’t spend enough time in their flat for them to be worried that the value of their TV is less than they would like?

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 04/10/2021 08:34

Warmdusher I don't think my DH ever even watched the TV but the DC did when we visited. Some people like watching movies to relax after work. Even full on jobs have down time. I know that in Berlin (where there were a huge number of contractors working for the same company) some people bought expensive home entertainment because the stuff provided wasn't up to their standards, and then just left it when they moved out. But in those cases they were there for around 18 months so it was worth it to them. Generally speaking if you're paying over the odds for luxury anything (flat, hotel, clothes, haircut) you don't expect the cheapest possible supplies.

elbea · 04/10/2021 08:36

What did it say in the letting particulars? Did they advertise it as having a specific brand/size TV or did it just say TV. I think that is what is crucial really.

Whammyyammy · 04/10/2021 12:26

Its a working TV, want something particular, then go out and actually BUY one

Flip

1 2