Loose Toilet Seat Landlord's Responsibility ?

[CW1]

messed that last one up ! *doh*

Hi,

I'm letting a property out & the agents have told me the toilet seat's loose & needs to be replaced. It was fitted when a new bathroom was installed a few years ago & seems to me it's not necessarily wear & tear as they say as the tenant's include 2 young kids & have been there almost a year.

Do the tenants have no responsibility at all to take care of these things ?

I'm not being "tight" but it seems to be one thing after another at the moment & the agent's charges for getting contractors round are extortionate :( It's getting to the point where I'm seriously considering not signing the new tenancy agreement that's due in a week or so & letting it lapse to a Statutory Periodic Tenancy & I sell next year. But then will the agent's still charge me the £100 for renewal ?

Opinions welcome ... :)

[Ric.ror]

Well I called my Mums landlords yesterday as exactly the same thing has happened to her and I expect them to sort it - she only moved in June

[Baldric]

Why on Earth do you need a //contractor round// to fit a Loo Seat?

[The Builder]

Oh the other side of the great "buy-to-let" dream, CW ;o(

Is it "damage" - (tenant's responsibility)
Or "defect" - (landlord's)

I don't know the legalities for sure, but lawyers could argue this forever, I guess.

Forget the agent's contractors except for major works.
Find yourself a good local handyman (probably 99% of the jobs that crop up.)
To be really practical.............. fit a heavy-duty commercial type seat. I always fit these in pubs.

[aelmpvw]

i wouldn't mind betting that it's just a case of tightening the nuts :-)

[Retrochic]

We used to have our properties managed and it was a nightmare,they rarely did their job properly and charged a fortune. At one point they said they had had a 'contractor' out to look at the boiler and it needed £300 worth of repairs -we sent out the plumber who subs for us (we are a building firm) and he fixed it for under £80. I would end your contract with the management company, let the tenancy roll over onto a month by month contract, go buy a new toilet seat (to keep the tenants sweet) at around £24.00, B&Q, and take the 10 mins it would take to unscrew the seat and replace it with the new one yourself.

[tamborine]

I consider it W&T & expect the tenant to replace, as written into tenancy contract. If your agent is not abiding by the TC thats a good enough reason to dismiss him.

[CW1]

The tenants have tried to tighten it (they are keen DIYers) - apparently - & the agents insist it's wear & tear. I changed my own after 9yrs & only then 'cos the lid cracked after I dropped something heavy on it, was nothing actually wrong with it ! This one's nowhere near that old ! I would fit it myself but I live quite a way away, & I know from experience, trying to get access is a nightmare :(

I empathise, Retrochic. I'm sure the agents load the contractors charges to make something on it themselves.

[CW1]

That's interesting, tamborine ... will be looking at the Tenancy Agreement as soon as poss ...

[Retrochic]

CW1 I'm 100 % sure you are not liable to replace the toilet seat. For me its a case of who is asking - a working family with a bit of DIY knowledge I'd let them get on with it -a young girl with a baby well I'd probably get it done for her. Legally however you are not liable for repairs due to wear and tear to anything other than the boiler, heating systems and for your landlord insurance making sure the house has working locks on all doors and windows

[CW1]

"To avoid doubt the Tenant will not be responsible for: Fair wear and tear to the Property or the Fixtures and Fittings"

[Landlord's responsibility] "to keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the Premises for supply of water, gas and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences, but not other fixtures, fittings and appliances for making use of water, gas or electricity)"

Loo seat = sanitation convenience ?

[The Builder]

That looks pretty clear, CW.

I would guess it would be argued that the seat is a salient part of the WC suite.

In Lawyerspeak ....... the seat would be deemed to integral to the enjoyment of the facility ;o)))

[The Builder]

^^^ to BE integral

[CW1]

I thought so too, Builder :( Doesn't seem very fair that it's assumed wear & tear when it could be "negligence". Getting closer to getting out, methinks. And that's gonna cost too, £75 + VAT to serve notice on the tenants - even the last lot (who WERE useless) didn't charge for that !