Fridge not working in rented flat

[Mrs Cuchillo]

OH is renting a flat. Fridge is not working properly. Landlady sent a repair man today who said it "probably" needs a new thermostat, which he will need to order, and then come back and fit.

Can't keep any fresh food in the fridge as it just goes off. Freezer section is working fine. One week until Christmas, what is it reasonable for us to expect the landlady to do?
What is it not reasonable to expect?

[Davel]

Is it a big fridge?

Surely it'll be quicker and maybe even cheaper for her to replace the bloody fridge.

[Mrs Cuchillo]

That's what I thought - it's just a bog standard built in Hotpoint fridge freezer.

[RichB]

The landlady didn't chose the timing for the fridge to fail so guess it's reasonable to expect her to make a quick decision between fixing it or replacing it once she knows the repective costs involved.

[N Dentressangle]

What does it say the landlord is obliged to do in your contract?

[Mrs Cuchillo]

It says that the landlord must ensure that all electrical appliances are safe.

I guess it's safe in that it doesn't electrocute you when you open the door, but whether the fact that it doesn't do what it is meant to do, is unsafe is another matter!

[Wings]

If the fridge was part and therefore included in the Inventory, then the landlord is required to repair the same within a reasonable time. This time of the year I would not have thought a fridge was that essential. Being a landlord myself, when fridges go wrong, unless they are within a guarantee period, I tend to just replace the fridge, so not bothering with a repair.

[Simpo Two]

My letting agent suggested making the appliances outside the rental agreement, but leaving them in place so the tenant can use them for free. If they break, it's up to them

[Mrs Cuchillo]

Wings said:

This time of the year I would not have thought a fridge was that essential.

Glad you're not my landlord!

Where else do you suggest one keeps fresh food in a 3rd floor flat?

[whirligig]

This happened to us (as landlords) earlier this year but with a freezer. We replaced it as soon as possible and think gave the tenant back £50 as a good will gesture - think they were about a week without a freezer in the end.

[TEKNOPUG]

Have you checked that the light goes out when you close the door?

[Mrs Cuchillo]

TEKNOPUG said:

Have you checked that the light goes out when you close the door?

[Wings]

Mrs Cuchillo said:

Wings said:

This time of the year I would not have thought a fridge was that essential.

Glad you're not my landlord!

Where else do you suggest one keeps fresh food in a 3rd floor flat?

WHY, for by NOW you would have had a NEW fridge. My earlier post was simply saying that in the height of summer, then a non working fridge would be MORE of an issue.

[Mrs Cuchillo]

Wings said:

Mrs Cuchillo said:

Wings said:

This time of the year I would not have thought a fridge was that essential.

Glad you're not my landlord!

Where else do you suggest one keeps fresh food in a 3rd floor flat?

WHY, for by NOW you would have had a NEW fridge. My earlier post was simply saying that in the height of summer, then a non working fridge would be MORE of an issue.

Hence the wink . When you're paying £275 a week to live there you expect things to work.
Thank goodness he can move out soon.

[marc.l]

Mrs Cuchillo said:

Wings said:

This time of the year I would not have thought a fridge was that essential.

Glad you're not my landlord!

Where else do you suggest one keeps fresh food in a 3rd floor flat?

Glad your not my tennant, they sent a reapair man around as he should do but its hardly his fault they didnt have a part in stock. What would you like him to do ?

[Mrs Cuchillo]

I'd like the landlord to have done this 3 weeks ago when I notified her there was a problem, not leave it until a week before Christmas.
If she'd sent someone round at the end of November it would be sorted by now.

[marc.l]

Mrs Cuchillo said:

I'd like the landlord to have done this 3 weeks ago when I notified her there was a problem, not leave it until a week before Christmas.
If she'd sent someone round at the end of November it would be sorted by now.

That it was 3 weeks ago is the part that has so far been missing .....

[Wings]

marc.l said:

Mrs Cuchillo said:

I'd like the landlord to have done this 3 weeks ago when I notified her there was a problem, not leave it until a week before Christmas.
If she'd sent someone round at the end of November it would be sorted by now.

That it was 3 weeks ago is the part that has so far been missing .....

Agree, 3 weeks awaiting repair/replacement of faulty fridge, then that is unreasonable, and the tenant should inform the landlord that unless the fridge is not repaired/replaced by Saturday 19 December, then I/tenant will purchase a replacement, and deduct the cost of the same from my/his next rental payment.

[N Dentressangle]

Mrs Cuchillo said:

OH is renting a flat. Fridge is not working properly. Landlady sent a repair man today who said it "probably" needs a new thermostat, which he will need to order, and then come back and fit.

Can't keep any fresh food in the fridge as it just goes off. Freezer section is working fine. One week until Christmas, what is it reasonable for us to expect the landlady to do?
What is it not reasonable to expect?

If you were our tenant, I would have aimed to repair or replace the fridge within a week. That seems 'reasonable' to me, although I guess a landlord could get away with longer.

I'd go along with Wings' advice. A reasonable, calm approach to the landlord will be the way forward. If you're desperate for a fridge then it's the kind of thing that Freecycle provides quite well.

[Fatboy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

For £275 a week I'd expect things fixed within the hour

Depends where you are of course - that money doesn't get you much in London, but gets you something pretty damn special up north...