A tenant leasing a furnished rental property has sparked debate after her maintenance request was rebuffed by her landlord.

The renter explained that she was living in ‘a furnished rental property’ and that the supplied washing machine broke. So, they filed ‘a maintenance and repair request with our real estate agent’.

They added that the home appliance was mentioned ‘on the inventory list’ of the lease.

The agent responded by email, informing the renter that the landlord did not intend to repair the washing machine.

‘Thank you for your recent maintenance report. I’ve passed this on to your landlords, who have reviewed the matter. They have advised that they do not wish to instruct a contractor at this time,’ the response began.

‘Instead, they are requesting that you take responsibility for its maintenance throughout the remainder of the tenancy, as they consider the provision of the appliance a gesture of goodwill.’

The agent added that they ‘understand this may be disappointing’ and offered to pass along details of some ‘reliable contractors who may be able to assist you with servicing or repairs’.

The email was shared to an online forum, sparking a discussion about how the tenant should respond.

Most comments sided with the renter, pointing out that so long as the appliance is ‘listed in your lease as a supplied item’, the onus would be on the landlord to repair it so that it’s ‘usable’.

‘I would remind them that failure to repair it is a breach of your lease agreement,’ one stern reply read.

‘If you’re renting a fully furnished apartment with washer and dryer, it’s on them to supply for the duration of your lease,’ another person agreed.

‘If it’s in the lease, it’s not a gesture of good will, it’s a requirement,’ chimed in another.

One person advised: ‘Maybe tell them that you consider the provision and maintenance of the washer “a contractual obligation of the landlord”. Send them a copy of the lease, along with a letter indicating that the landlord is breaking the contract.’

Many suggested escalating the dispute with a lawyer, predicting that this would likely  ‘magically’ resolve the issue.

‘They know damn well what they are doing and are hoping that you don’t know your rights. Very common landlord tactic, unfortunately,’ one commenter replied.

‘An attorney drafting a letter to the landlord via the management company should nip this in the bud pretty quickly,’ another agreed.

However, others warned that the situation might not be as clear-cut as it seems, and should start with a careful review of the lease agreement by the tenant.

‘My lease specifically says if the washing machine breaks they aren’t going to fix it,’ one renter cautioned.

‘How is it written in the lease? I’ve seen plenty where the washer and dryer are listed “as is”, meaning if they break, the landlord is not responsible for repair or replacement,’ another person responded.

‘If the lease says you can use the appliance because it is there, but they also say they didn’t supply it, they have no responsibility. Devil is in the details.’

In the event that the rental agreement clearly states the landlord doesn’t have to repair or replace the laundry appliance, a number of responses suggested asking the landlord to remove it – and then the tenant can either buy one themselves, or use a laundromat.

But if the onus of repair costs is unclear in the contract, many argued that the cost of a replacement machine outweighs the hassle of getting offside with your landlord or engaging lawyers.

‘I bought a reasonably new washer and dryer for $150 on Facebook Marketplace, cheaper than a repair or a lawyer,’ one person replied.

‘It’s a washing machine… why on earth would you sue over a washing machine?’

‘Call an appliance repair person, get it fixed and consider moving when your lease is up.’