question around the tenancy agreement

Katemargaret · Post by **Katemargaret** » Mon, 27 Apr 2015 2:10 pm

Hello all,

Looking for advice on the standard rental agreement.

We are living in a rented property on a two year rental lease and have 8 more months to complete the agreed contract . The washing machine provided by the landlord just stopped working today and won't power up.
The machine was purchased in 2011 and we moved in 2013.
Does the failure of a washing machine constitute wear and tear ?
Does the tenant have to pay the 150$ towards the repair when equipment fail ? Or if the owner buys a new one ?

Thanks for your advice .

Wd40 · Post by **Wd40** » Mon, 27 Apr 2015 2:20 pm

Reading the wording on your TA carefully. In some cases it reads, that if the cost of fixing is >$150 then the entire cost will be borne by the landlord.

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Mon, 27 Apr 2015 3:55 pm

First things first:
-Have you checked the fuse in the plug?
-Have you checked the fuse-board circuit into which it is connected does not have a tripped circuit-breaker?

Certain things will stop a washing machine from running
- A blocked drain hose
- Worn-out motor brushes
- A blocked inlet water hose (limescale, grit, etc.)
- etc.

But if it won't even power-up in the first place, I'd start with the top two suggestions first, both very simple jobs for someone with any DIY knowledge. Way less hassle than involving the landlord at this time.

HTH.

Katemargaret · Post by **Katemargaret** » Mon, 27 Apr 2015 6:19 pm

Thanks for the help !
We replaced the fuse in the plug - No Go
I cant seem to locate the Fuse board circuit.

I did look through the TA but it states " To be responsible for all minor repairs and routine maintenance of the premise not exceeding 150$ Per item/Per job.In the event the repair exceeds $150 , then the initial 150$ shall be borne by the tenant and the excess to be borne by the land lord .

What is gray is if the machine is deemed not repairable then should I be paying 150$ for the owner to buy us a washing machine ?

Katemargaret · Post by **Katemargaret** » Mon, 27 Apr 2015 6:24 pm

So i am hoping it just a blown fuse somehow~

ecureilx · Post by **ecureilx** » Mon, 27 Apr 2015 7:05 pm

Katemargaret wrote:Thanks for the help !
We replaced the fuse in the plug - No Go
I cant seem to locate the Fuse board circuit.

I did look through the TA but it states " To be responsible for all minor repairs and routine maintenance of the premise not exceeding 150$ Per item/Per job.In the event the repair exceeds $150 , then the initial 150$ shall be borne by the tenant and the excess to be borne by the land lord .

What is gray is if the machine is deemed not repairable then should I be paying 150$ for the owner to buy us a washing machine ?

You know most repairs done by the LLs appointed repair men miraculously cost just below 150 ??

I never had a LL make me replace a dead washing machine but knowing some LL they may still try to make you pay 150$ for the replacement washing machine ...

In reality LL must buy you a new Washer if it's beyond repair

Post by **x9200** » Mon, 27 Apr 2015 7:31 pm

Katemargaret wrote:So i am hoping it just a blown fuse somehow~

If the machine is with a standard plug, just plug in any other electric device and you will soon know.

Katemargaret · Post by **Katemargaret** » Mon, 27 Apr 2015 8:36 pm

We did , with the dryer and it works just fine

Post by **x9200** » Mon, 27 Apr 2015 8:56 pm

If you have a user manual for the machine (if not, google it out), just go through the troubleshooting section and if no solution is found to your problem I guess this is all what you could do.

To your earlier question: for this sort of goods I would assume wear and tear is more about the exteriors/decorative parts of the appliance. Anything else, you will have very hard time to prove this was about wear and tear even if it was.

Your another question: replacement of the machine is not a repair so unless otherwise stated in the TA I would expect the LL to pay for it in full.