A tenant renting a furnished property has ignited a fierce online debate after their landlord refused to repair a broken washing machine that was supplied with the home.
The Maintenance Request Denial
The dispute began when the renter, living in a furnished rental, reported that the supplied washing machine had broken down. They subsequently filed a formal maintenance and repair request with their letting agent, noting that the appliance was explicitly listed on the property's inventory list.
The agent's response, however, was not what the tenant expected. In an email, the agent stated that the landlord had reviewed the matter and did not intend to instruct a contractor to carry out the repairs.
"Thank you for your recent maintenance report. I've passed this on to your landlords, who have reviewed the matter. They have advised that they do not wish to instruct a contractor at this time," the email began. It continued, "Instead, they are requesting that you take responsibility for its maintenance throughout the remainder of the tenancy, as they consider the provision of the appliance a gesture of goodwill."
The agent acknowledged that this decision might be disappointing and offered to provide details for reliable contractors the tenant could hire themselves.
Online Forum Erupts in Debate
After the tenant shared the email to an online forum, a significant discussion erupted about the correct course of action. The overwhelming majority of comments sided with the tenant, arguing that the landlord was likely in breach of their contractual duties.
Many pointed out that if an appliance is listed in the lease as a supplied item, the legal responsibility for keeping it in a usable condition falls on the landlord. "I would remind them that failure to repair it is a breach of your lease agreement," one user wrote sternly.
Another commenter agreed, stating, "If you're renting a fully furnished apartment with washer and dryer, it's on them to supply it for the duration of your lease." This sentiment was echoed by another who clarified, "If it's in the lease, it's not a gesture of good will, it's a requirement."
Several users suggested that the tenant should formally remind the landlord of their contractual obligation to maintain the washer, and many recommended escalating the issue with a legal letter. They predicted that a letter from a solicitor would "magically" resolve the situation. One person noted, "They know damn well what they are doing and are hoping that you don't know your rights. Very common landlord tactic, unfortunately."
A Word of Caution: Check Your Lease
Despite the strong support for the tenant, other forum users injected a note of caution, warning that the situation might not be as clear-cut. They advised the renter to conduct a very careful review of the specific wording in their tenancy agreement.
"My lease specifically says if the washing machine breaks they aren't going to fix it," one renter cautioned, sharing their own experience.
Another person elaborated, "How is it written in the lease? I've seen plenty where the washer and dryer are listed 'as is', meaning if they break, the landlord is not responsible for repair or replacement. Devil is in the details."
If the rental agreement does explicitly state that the landlord has no repair responsibilities, some suggested asking for the broken machine to be removed. The tenant could then purchase their own appliance or use a local laundrette.
For cases where the contract is ambiguous, many argued that the cost and hassle of legal action might not be worth it for a single appliance. "I bought a reasonably new washer and dryer for $150 on Facebook Marketplace, cheaper than a repair or a lawyer," one pragmatic reply read. Others suggested simply paying for a repair themselves and then considering a move when the lease expires.
