UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi All,
I'm new, but very glad to find a website that gives 'both' perspectives - that of tenant and landlord.
My daughter  is about to go into her first flat share in uni. She was in college digs for the first year.
She and 4 other friends secured a tenancy for a year in a house with 5 bedrooms. They viewed, liked the place and the set-up. They have now handed over £1000 each, and suddenly realized that the mini fridge under the counter is all they will have to share between them. It is very small and has just a freezer box.
They've politely asked the landlord if he'd consider getting a larger unit or getting an additional mini fridge. He said that they should have raised the issue at the time of viewing and that that's all he's providing.
My daughter says that the house was occupied when they viewed and they only had an overview of the space and the rooms, and did not consider to ask him about the fridge space when agreeing to the tenancy.
He also said that utilities was included in the rent, however has proceeded to give them meter keys to charge up gas and electric.

They are locked in for a year, and I'm worried about the general attitude and tone of the landlord.

Does he have to provide adequate fridge space if letting out to 5 individuals - and can the tenants not reasonably raised this now, as they don't actually move in till September 2015 ?

Many thank in advance for your help
Belle

Quote from: Belle on July 07, 2015, 11:16:38 AMHe said that they should have raised the issue at the time of viewing and that that's all he's providing.

Question back to you is... don't you, in your heart of hearts, actually completely agree with that?

There isn't a legal obligation for a Landlord to provide a fridge freezer in a HMO. The Landlord provides what is provided and - hopefully - what is documented in an Inventory and Schedule of Condition.

I suspect the Landlord is in a position where he doesn't have to try all that hard to fill the property... seller's market.

Hi Hippogriff,
I agree with the principle that everything should be agreed beforehand, and that there should be an inventory - although he has not gone through an inventory as yet with them; I put it down to inexperience and excitement at finding a place they all liked. Also,the landlord has several houses of a similar setup all with larger fridge freezer units, which were viewed by the prospective tenants before this one - so they made an assumption that the setup was the same in this house.
All I'm questioning  is why having let the house out to 5 separate individuals, the landlord would think that a freezer box and under counter fridge is sufficient food storage space (there is room for a larger one). I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a larger unit if he'd decided to provide one;  thanks for your perspective.

£40 each will get them what the want. Brand new, one year warranty.

They may have seen this in other places, but "assumed" the LL provided it, when it could be the tenant.

I am sorry, but if the LL has already had "mums" moaning about things, I'd be rather reserved in my "tone" too.

They haven't bought room in a hotel, this is a rented unit, and they must assume some responsibility for what is provided. Its not halls, its not some council provision, where 1.2 sq meters of fridge space has to be provided by law etc, if they want a bigger fridge freezer they are going to have to get a job, and go and buy one, and learn not to get Mummy to fight there own battles.

Good luck. ( Try Heart Foundation shops, they may have a recon unit for £50)

I am sorry, but if the LL has already had "mums" moaning about things, I'd be rather reserved in my "tone" too.
.........
Good luck. ( Try Heart Foundation shops, they may have a recon unit for £50)
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Thanks Boboff,
I have not been involved with the landlord at all during the process of securing the let; not even behind the scenes at any stage of their negotiation other than now that the issue has surfaced, My daughter has worked and saved her own money for rent and deposit. I  agreed to assist them research what the rules are on the provision of white goods, that's why I posted here.
The Landlord had already rejected their polite request, (they showed me the copy email and his response).  I've already suggested they club up and buy a fridge from a British Heart Foundation shop, subject to him agreeing and there being adequate space.
It's their first joint let, though they've lived together in digs.  I'm sure they'll have their wits about them , and know what to look out for next time.