Apliances in the AST - who is responsible?

[rila77]

As a Landlord I am providing appliances - washing machine, cooker, fridge and freezer for the Tenants. Is it possible to put a clause in the AST which makes Tenants responsible for maintenance and replacement of those appliances if they brake. How this can be worded in the AST? I am using the NLA AST, but it does not make this very clear.

Many thanks

[westminster]

How this can be worded in the AST?

By a lawyer experienced in drafting tenancy contracts.

[rila77]

I use the NLA agreement and it does not include this clause. Any help appreciated with examples of wording. Thank you

[jjlandlord]

IMO it might be difficult to enforce a clause making the tenant liable to replace appliances if they breakdown without actual misuse...

[rila77]

I am thinking of not actually making tenants to fix the appliance, but rather replace it with their own one.

[thesaint]

I am thinking of not actually making tenants to fix the appliance, but rather replace it with their own one.

What if they don't have one?

I would simply factor in the cost of your appliances into the rent.
What you are trying to do is complicated, and hard to manage.

[midlandslandlord]

I choose not to supply appliances beyond occasionally oven-cooker.

I'd have thought if you supply a facility you will be responsible for maintaining it in a court.

Washing machines have a lifetime defined in x 'washes', so you never know when you will have to replace it, unless you supply a 'commercial' one.

ML

[bhaal]

Any clause would almost certainly be unfair and therefore void under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract Regulations on a standard six to twelve month AST - why not just remove the appliances, sell them and then reduce the rent? The tenant can buy their own if they wish.

I assume you know that there are some repairing obligations you cannot escape from under statute? This will include maintaining the heating, boiler plumbing, baths and showers.

[Dan_Manchester]

I agree with the above, anything included in the property apon signing the AST would form part of the contract unless specifically removed by the contract, and even then it would be hard to enforce.

You could sell the appliances to the incoming Tenants as a one off to get rid of them easily and potentially have an informal agreement to buy a fridge freezer, cooker etc back at the end depending on condition and so on.

Good luck

[thesaint]

I'd have thought if you supply a facility you will be responsible for maintaining it in a court.

This is not the case.