Washing machine broke in unfurnished rental. Whose responsibility?

[Amylouise9090]

Hello,
We moved into a rental 4 weeks ago on a 12 month contract. It has white goods in it. The landlord wanted to meet us before we moved in, he showed us round the property and said 'We can leave the white goods for you, they're pretty new but if they break you'll have to get your own". This was a bit confusing as we thought they were included. Our inventory is a photo inventory and doesn't have a full list of things it - just images.
Anyway... 4 weeks in and the washing machine breaks.
What do we do? Is it really our responsibility to get a new one? There is an image on the inventory of it and it was also mentioned in the property advert.
I've checked the tenancy agreement and it says the landlord is obligated
"To keep in repair and proper working order all smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, mechanical and electrical items including, washing machines, dishwashers, and other similar mechanical or electrical appliances belonging to the Landlord included in the Fixtures and Fittings".
We have not been provided with a list of items in 'Fixtures and Fittings' - it says the inventory "provides a fair and accurate record of the fixtures, fittings, and contents" and they are pictured in that.

Our letting agency is useless - any advice?

You need confirmation - if it is included in the fixtures and fittings, as per your photo inventory, then it is the landlord's responsibility. If not, then it's yours (but you're also not required to have a washing machine there when you hand the flat back)

Before you do anything, you need confirmation one way or the other - is the washing machine expected to be working and in the property at the end of the tenancy or not.

What do you mean by confirmation? From whom? Where would we get this from?

The letting agent.

The WM is mentioned in the listing and the tenancy agreement. I would say that's all the proof you need to assume they are the landlords responsibility (and he is obliged to repair/replace as necessary.) Sounds like he was trying to wiggle out of it when he showed you around. I'd go with what you have in writing.

Contact the letting agency again - point out where the listing shows the WM is part of the offer in the advert and also the Tenancy Agreement. Ask them to either arrange an engineer or replacement asap.

Yes, the letting agent.

In what way has it broken? Google the make and model and get instructions for clearing the filter. This works in many cases.

We rented our house out unfurnished while we lived abroad for a few years. We would have taken the washing machine and tumble dryer out, but the letting agent persuaded us to leave them as it more more typical, but they said that if we left them, we had to be responsible for them (we asked if we could say if the tenants wanted the, could we say they were their responsibility and they said no. I don't know whether that was just their guidance or if it was a legal requirement, but we as landlords were definitely responsible (in fact we removed the dishwasher because it was really on its last legs and we knew it would break within 6 months and didn't want to have to replace it).

You buy the new one but the new one will be yours.
Remember to take it with you when you leave
But do let the landlord know.

The landlord wanted to meet us before we moved in, he showed us round the property and said 'We can leave the white goods for you, they're pretty new but if they break you'll have to get your own". This was a bit confusing as we thought they were included

TBF to the landlord that doesn't sound confusing. What did you say when he said it?