Microwave broke and Landlord asking me to pay half

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Microwave broke and Landlord asking me to pay half

Krishna Chaitanya gadhiraju
Member since 2019 · 11 posts · 2 votes

Hello,

I am staying in an apartment and microwave stopped working. Landlord is saying, it would cost 300$ and I have to pay half as per lease contract. As per lease contract I have pay for repairs upto 150$. But my contention is this is replace and not repair. I can't pay for appliances that's provided by landlord.

could you please help me here.

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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
6y

This is unusual, but If you agreed to pay up to $150 for repairs when you signed the lease then you may be on the hook.

The only thing that might save you is this is not a repair, it is a replacement. Read your lease carefully to make sure it only says repairs.

If you want to scan your lease and send it to me I will look it over. You can black out any personal information. I am not an attorney but I will give you my opinion.

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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    6y

    This is unusual, but If you agreed to pay up to $150 for repairs when you signed the lease then you may be on the hook.

    The only thing that might save you is this is not a repair, it is a replacement. Read your lease carefully to make sure it only says repairs.

    If you want to scan your lease and send it to me I will look it over. You can black out any personal information. I am not an attorney but I will give you my opinion.

    1Reply
  • Krishna Chaitanya gadhiraju
    OP
    Member since 2019 · 11 posts · 2 votes
    6y

    Thanks for reply John, let me send it here:

    https://drive.google.com/file/...

    1Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    6y

    You can argue it all day long but I think you're on the hook. Yes, this is a replacement but microwaves are notoriously inexpensive to replace and expensive (if not impossible) to repair. 

    Either way, you have to pay $150. Would you rather have a new microwave or would you rather have a repaired microwave that is likely to break again and cost you another $150?

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  • Scott Rogers
    Rental Property Investor · Neenah, WI · Member since 2019 · 154 posts · 105 votes
    6y

    I would agree that you are on the hook for the money per your lease agreement. I really good microwave should only be around $200 so I think you are covering more than half though. 

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  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y

    @Krishna Chaitanya gadhiraju where are you located?  Check your local rental laws, they may matter. However, it looks like your repair clause doesn't exclude appliances. 

    Also I am assuming this is a built in Microwave. If it doesn't turn on at all (no power) check where the electric connects it may be a simple disconnect.  You can try to negotiate given he gets new. he is high for half but he may be paying install too. 

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  • Bryan Devitt
    Contractor · Oxford, MA · Member since 2018 · 807 posts · 745 votes
    6y

    @Scott Rogers you're not factoring the cost of the labor to replace it. It might not be self managed

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  • Krishna Chaitanya gadhiraju
    OP
    Member since 2019 · 11 posts · 2 votes
    6y

    Thank you all for quick replies. I was repairing lot of stuff myself but when it comes to appliances isn't it owners responsibility? @Colleen F. Let me double check again on the power, its likely to be fuse issue. I live in New Jersey. So the total cost would be 300$ including fixing, he is asking me to pay 150$ as per contract. Can I just buy a microwave and use it and take it along when I move away from this apartment? In that case is he going to deduct from my deposit? can I fight it out in court in future? My only concern is appliances have  life and this is a very old condo, appliances might break and I have to keep paying 150$ :(.

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  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y

    I can't say if he will charge you at move out, he might.  Here are NJ laws and I don't see this clause being prohibited.  There is a number for you to call in this guide.  

    https://www.state.nj.us/dca/di...

    Did you get some sort of deal on this place because fixing a lot of things yourself and its a condo well there should not be a lot of things to go wrong... 

    As a landlord I don't like these kinds of clauses because then tenants don't report issues.  Now it is almost always better to replace rather then repair appliances and your fee is fairly high at $150. Lets hope the MW is it.

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