My washing machine is currently broken in the flat that I rent. It has been broken for a week now. I contacted the property manager when it broke, they sent a technician the following day who left a note saying something about parts. I called a couple of days later to ask what was happening, and was told that parts were hard to source, so they are investigating new machines and sending quotes to the landlord to agree a replacement.

Anyway, that's all good and well. Since I haven't had a working machine I went to the laundromat the other day and will need to do so again this weekend I think. I asked about being reimbursed for the laundromat charges (which will be up to £15 this weekend with as of yet no known date for the new machine to be selected/ordered/delivered). The property manager said they couldn't guarantee the landlord would agree to reimburse any costs incurred.

I figure if rent is being paid on a place which includes a functioning washing machine then that gives me an expectation of not having to incur additional costs to do my washing. Their attitude is that they are 'working on getting a new machine' so doing what they can to rectify the problem. They also asked whether if I owned the house, I would really rush out and buy a new machine immediately and not have to go through a period of not having washing access. Firstly, I probably would (work commitments permitting). Secondly, I rent which means that although I earn no equity in the property I am absolved from having to pay (directly) for maintenance or repairs and have an expectation that the landlord will ensure that the flat they let is as advertised and make reasonable amends where this is not achievable.

Opinions? If it were two days I wouldn't care but they don't seem in any hurry (they did concede that if it went on for several weeks that it would 'probably' be okay to be reimbursed).

</boring>

Friday!