Who is responsible for washing machine?

Question

I bought a house in upstate NzY recently without an inspection , due to low price offer .

tenants have moved in and found There is a leak under the washing machine. My lease does not mention anything about washer / dryer,.

who is responsible to repair or replace? Thanks very much!

Adam Martin · Answer

We don't always give you what you want but we give you what you need.

Bill B. · Answer

Why would you hold the tenant responsible when you’re not holding the seller responsible? Would you have passed on the deal if it hadn’t come with a washing machine? If not you’re still good. If so, you screwed up and ar not the type of buyer who passes on inspections. You provided it, you replace it. Don’t bother repairing if it’s more than 6 years old. Be happy they told you. Many tenants would just run it as is allowing it to slowly wreck your floors.

TLDR:  Be HAPPY!  This is a VERY VERY minor problem. You’ll look back at this and chuckle when you get the call saying you need an $8,000 ac unit or have a $10,000 main water supply line leak. A new $500 unit divided over the next 5 years is $8/mo. It will also let your tenants know you actually care about them and your property.

Henry T. · Answer

I have a few applicances where I make it clear to the tenant these were left here. Garage door opener and washer/dryer. If they break they won't be fixed. Do you want them removed now, or do you want  them. They always choose the later, and I make note of it in the checklist. Works for me.

Anthony Freeman · Answer

A lease may not state you are responsible for maintaining the water hose but if it leaks fixing anyway is good business practice. As a buy and holder you want to develop good habits. Not sure what your goals and plans are though.

Adam Martin · Answer

Even if not stated directly in the lease it is provided it was there for the tenant to use.  Unless you specifically state that you are not responsible for maintaining it you are responsible to maintain it.  There is no way to list everything you will maintain so the default is if something is there when they move in you intent to maintain it unless stated otherwise.  If you don't want to moving forward buy a cheap used one that works and when these tenants move out sell what is there and don't worry about it moving forward.

Gustavo Delgado · Answer

Take care of it. It may not be a big expense. But it will hurt more in the long run by starting off this new relationship with your tenants by offering a rental home with a washer and it not working. If the prospect, when touring your unit saw a washer and dryer in the unit it is reasonable for them to assume it is in working order.

JD Martin · Answer

And we try sometimes...

Theresa Harris · Answer

Who owns the washing machine?  Did it come with the house or does it belong to the tenant?  If it is with the house, you pay to have it repaired.  If the tenant owns it, they are responsible.

Mackaylee Beach · Answer

I see you found your answer. For future reference, make sure it's disclosed in your lease!

Mohammed Rahman · Answer

Hey @Marci Stein - judging by all the passive comments above from everyone you already know that you're responsible for this.

However - if there's no mention of a washer/dryer in the lease that's something you should include in the documents during the renewal period.

Now if there are any future incidents with the washer/dryer, it's on you.

However, if you choose not to include the washer/dryer in the lease terms, it needs to be documented because otherwise tenants have reasonable access to amenities that are included in their unit.

Who is responsible for washing machine?

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