Renting contract question: inventory?

Scam · 23 Nov 2007 at 19:12

We sold our house and starting renting in April, whilst we look for a new house to buy. The kitchen came with a washer-drier and this was listed in the inventory as such (i.e. a washer-drier, not just a washer). It was a bit dodgy to begin with, and since it's gotten colder it's been getting worse by not drying clothes. So my mother started to ask about getting a new one. The landlord said she didnt want to get a new washer-drier because theyre not as reliable as washers, and are more expensive

rolleyes: )

Now, my mother has never rented before and is very wary of causing a fuss with the landlord/letting agent (she thinks if we do we might get given our notice

).

So the landlord's brother turned up with lo-and-behold, a washer. Not a washer-drier. Which is a huge pain especially in winter (as far as i know with my limited experience in washing

)

So should we demand a washer-drier, considering that's what was here to start with, is what we need, and is what's in the inventory? :confused:

Thanks for any advice.

Glaucus · 23 Nov 2007 at 19:13

Yes, it's part of the contract.

Trusty · 23 Nov 2007 at 20:23

AcidHell2 said:
Yes, it's part of the contract.

Yep, they must supply it if it's in the contract.

WillyNelson · 23 Nov 2007 at 20:40

No, if the landlord chooses to replace it with a washer, they can do. The inventory isn't part of the contract (assured shorthold tennancy), it's merely a record of the contents & condition of the property for the benefit of the landlord so that they know if you've nicked anything/trashed the place.

If it's rented as part furnished or unfurnished with white goods, there's usually no stipulation as to what those goods should be.

Glaucus · 23 Nov 2007 at 20:47

WillyNelson said:
No, if the landlord chooses to replace it with a washer, they can do. The inventory isn't part of the contract (assured shorthold tennancy), it's merely a record of the contents & condition of the property for the benefit of the landlord so that they know if you've nicked anything/trashed the place.

If it's rented as part furnished or unfurnished with white goods, there's usually no stipulation as to what those goods should be.

But surely whatever is in the inventory is part of the contract, if you damage or lose it your expected to pay. So surly if it damages or brakes the landlord is responsible to repair it or replace with a similar item.

So far all I can find is a landlord has to repair or replace anything that is in the contract. So if it says it comes with whitegoods. Those would have to be repaired or replaced. However It does not specify if it's like for like.
Best bet would be to phone CAB to make sure.

Scam · 24 Nov 2007 at 13:08

AcidHell2 said:
Best bet would be to phone CAB to make sure.

I think that's what my mum wants to do. Problem is, as i said she doesnt want to make a fuss and is already talking of going out and spending lots of money on a separate drier. It just makes me angry to see landlords getting away with crap like this. Hell, the landlords brother came to fit the washer and left the bolts that hold the cylinder (thing) in place.. that's really professional isnt it :rolleyes:

Glaucus · 24 Nov 2007 at 13:13

Scam said:
I think that's what my mum wants to do.:

you might as well phone, then when you now your rights then you can decide if you want to be a pain or not. If it was me I would finish the contract as soon as possible and find somewhere else.

Sic · 24 Nov 2007 at 13:20

If it said washer/drier on my inventory and they tried to replace it with just a drier, I'd be down the letting agents, pronto.

If it's on the inventory, they've not got a leg to stand on.

Scam · 24 Nov 2007 at 13:42

Sic said:
If it said washer/drier on my inventory and they tried to replace it with just a drier, I'd be down the letting agents, pronto.
If it's on the inventory, they've not got a leg to stand on.

That was my opinion. I've said to my mum all along that i havent got time for letting agents/estate agents or landlords. They're all bloody useless. I told her to just demand a washer-drier from the landlord and say anything less is a breach of the contract etc.. I know from my limited experience of landlords/agents that unless you get serious and dont take any of their timewasting or excuses, they'll get away with it. As has been proved with the washer that has turned up.

AcidHell2 said:
you might as well phone, then when you now your rights then you can decide if you want to be a pain or not. If it was me I would finish the contract as soon as possible and find somewhere else.

Well as i said we're only here until my mum finds a house to buy. But at the moment that's not happening very fast

Sic · 24 Nov 2007 at 13:48

Scam said:
That was my opinion. I've said to my mum all along that i havent got time for letting agents/estate agents or landlords. They're all bloody useless. I told her to just demand a washer-drier from the landlord and say anything less is a breach of the contract etc.. I know from my limited experience of landlords/agents that unless you get serious and dont take any of their timewasting or excuses, they'll get away with it. As has been proved with the washer that has turned up.

do your letting agents actually know this has happened? did you go straight to your landlord to sort it out? our letters have been really good - their only real concern is that the place you are is in the same state when you leave as when you got there. they're actually there to stop stuff like this happening - that's what ours said when we moved in and they've been great.

eXor · 24 Nov 2007 at 16:13

If all else fails, there's always:

Luke · 24 Nov 2007 at 17:32

WillyNelson said:
No, if the landlord chooses to replace it with a washer, they can do. The inventory isn't part of the contract (assured shorthold tennancy), it's merely a record of the contents & condition of the property for the benefit of the landlord so that they know if you've nicked anything/trashed the place.

If it's rented as part furnished or unfurnished with white goods, there's usually no stipulation as to what those goods should be.

This is my understanding too.

Ekim · 24 Nov 2007 at 18:54

My letting agent still hasn't gotten round to sorting out an inventory for our place. I'm assuming they won't be liable to charge up for any damages caused through out the year because of this as they won't have a record of the state of the house prior to our moving in.

Is this correct?

Glaucus · 24 Nov 2007 at 18:58

Ekim said:
Is this correct?

No.
Make one yourself, or get onto them.

iraiguana · 24 Nov 2007 at 19:05

I would contact the letting agent and tell them that the goods in the house have changed, if it was sold with the option of a washer/dryer.

If it was not stipulated then its down to the landlord. If it is they have to swap it for a washer/dryer or some form of compensation due to breach of contract.