Tenants trying to get away with washing machine!

Tenants trying to get away with washing machine!

16:53 PM, 11th May 2017, About 7 years ago 10

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We fully refurbished the flat 2 years ago after the purchase.

The tenant now leaving, but a year after moving in we were told at an annual inspection that the washing machine had broken and they had got rid of it and purchased their own.

We were never told of the breakdown or removal.

When we arrived at the flat during their term of notice to leave we found what looked like the original washing machine still in situ, the dishwasher which was also supposed to have broken down was still there.

Not the replacement spare which we had in a store cupboard as we were told told.

We won’t go into the damage in the property.

We feel that they have tried to get away with the dishwasher in recent weeks even boasting to their friends, but got caught out.

How do we stand on the washing machine? It was less than 3 years old!

We were not informed of breakdown or removal, gave no consent. The contract states no removal of fixtures. Also replacement of ‘ like for like .

They go on the 15 th…….opinions welcome.

Thank you

joan


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Comments

Fed Up Landlord

18:07 PM, 11th May 2017, About 7 years ago

Hi Joan,

Did you do a written and photographic inventory of the property?

Joan Hurley

18:13 PM, 11th May 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "11/05/2017 - 18:07":

Hello Gary......

We have a load of photographs . Several showing washing machine and dishwasher .

Joan.

Fed Up Landlord

20:19 PM, 11th May 2017, About 7 years ago

Hi Joan,

If the photos are time and date stamped, and the written inventory shows the make and model of the machines, then I think you have sufficient evidence to go for a deduction from their deposit - if you have taken one. The icing on the cake is of course the serial number but I appreciate that not many people take that. They are also in breach of their tenancy agreement in relation to the unauthorised removal of the washing machine.

I must say it all sounds a bit contrived on the part of the tenants - as if they have done this before. Were they referenced and did they give a previous landlord reference? if you have details ring them and ask them about the appliances.

Joan Hurley

21:30 PM, 11th May 2017, About 7 years ago

Hi Gary,
The photos are dated /timed . The inventory used was from the flat purchase.
Although various listed items were renewed.We do not have the serial numbers ,but I have contacted the previous owner for any paperwork she might have kept. If I can get at the back ,there should be a
a PAT .sticker , but of course that is difficult to do..
We did call their bluff with the dishwasher , and she caved in quickly.
So upto now we have pointed out they must not remove a fixture ,and as the washer was only less than 4 years old when she said it 'broke down. It seems rather surprising..!! ..We also said that if they do not pay for he damage to the fireplace and if they remove the washer we will go to the county court.
Their last place was near ours ,she was there for four years .She wanted our flat because it was refurbished...We had a reference from her employer. We feel that because we are 1•5 hours drive away they thought​ they were going to get away with both machines .....and the reluctance to answer questions ,and numerous obvious untruths as stories changed frequently makes us wonder
if your idea that they have done this before could be right.
Joan

Gromit

9:24 AM, 12th May 2017, About 7 years ago

I make it a rule that I want to be informed of any appliance breakdown BEFORE a decision of fix or replace its made. First and foremost the appliance may be under warranty or extended warranty. Secondly, (and this applies more to smaller appliances) if the appliance is to be replaced by the Tenants I want the broken appliance back (I had a microwave replaced once and no idea in reality if the old one was actually broken or just sold on eBay/given to a friend).

I don't keep serial numbers because I feel it would be necessary to include these in the inventory, and using a third party inventory company many serial numbers are inaccessible, so I keep it to make/model. It hasn't given me any issues so far.

Joan Hurley

10:32 AM, 12th May 2017, About 7 years ago

Hello Barry ,
Thank you ,. food for thought.
We felt covered by the contract wording .
With the dishwasher we were told of it not working and it was replaced by the spare . We turned up a few days later before they had exchanged machines. We feel they did not expect to see us till moving day , and so that dishwasher is saved.
The story we are now getting is the new washing machine is paid for weekly
to a catalogue, but nothing about the old machine........
But am not giving up yet. !.
Joan.

Jay James

11:22 AM, 12th May 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Joan Hurley" at "12/05/2017 - 10:32":

"The story we are now getting is the new washing machine is paid for weekly
to a catalogue".

Do you have copies of the catalogue documentation?

Joan Hurley

12:13 PM, 12th May 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Jay James" at "12/05/2017 - 11:22":

Hello Jay ,
No,.
The info about the catalogue purchase came by email 2 days ago..
Straight consistent answers are not forthcoming. .

Joan.

Joan Hurley

16:26 PM, 19th May 2017, About 7 years ago

Just to say thank you for your help and advice and to let you know the outcome.

The tenants have left ,. The washer and dishwasher were left in the flat.
They were warned about the County Court Summons possible CCJ. Plus all that one of those entail, and obviously thought better of it.

Kind regards
Joan

Old Mrs Landlord

22:35 PM, 19th May 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Joan Hurley" at "19/05/2017 - 16:26":

Congratulations Joan. Well done for sticking to your guns and not losing out to would-be thieves. This sort of rip-off of landlords is all too common.

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