Owner Wants Me to Fix The Leaking Washing Machine Tap after I Vacate The Property

TaurusHead on 05/09/2024 - 13:57
Last edited 05/09/2024 - 14:16 by 1 other user

Hi everyone, I recently moved out of my rental property and, while removing the washing machine, I discovered that one of the taps was leaking and seemed to be stuck.

I hadn't noticed this issue before because the tap was controlled by the washing machine valve and everything was working fine, so I didn't have any reason to report it earlier. I reported the issue to the landlord as soon as I identified it during the move-out process.

I’ve now received an email from the real estate agent (REA) stating: "The owner would just like to have the washing machine taps repaired and this is leaking due to you removing the washing machine."

The repair quote is $140 + GST. I’m not convinced that removing the washing machine could have caused the leak, so I’m wondering if this charge is justified. Should I discuss this further with the REA to get more clarification, or is it better to just pay the bill and move on?

TIA

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  • 187
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Home & Garden

Comments

  • ThithLord on 05/09/2024 - 14:02
    +27

    Eff that; also, lodge your bond return ASAP

  • scotty on 05/09/2024 - 14:13
    +31

    Leaking tap — most likely due to worn valve / washer. How's that caused by removing the washing machine hose? Having a working tap would also be the landlord's responsibility.

    Own experience: having to help fixing in-law's IP's taps 2 weeks ago, as the tenants were complaining.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 05/09/2024 - 14:17
      +3

      Please tell me you also did it on a Sunday haha

    • smalltime0 on 06/09/2024 - 15:15
      -2

      Clearly what happened was that OP tore the hose out, and that dislodged the (metal I presume) tap from the wall.
      OP patched it back together, hiding the damage, but the OP didn't fix the now stuck tap.

    • HeWhoKnows on 08/09/2024 - 11:38
      -3

      The issue is that OP never turned the tap off when using the washing machine.
      Hence the tap has seized up.
      You are supposed to turn the tap off when wash machine is not in use for safety reason.
      But of course many don’t.
      It’s debatable who is liable.
      It’s not wear and tear so not a a landlord repair.
      But then whilst OP was responsible they didn’t break anything either so not a tenant responsibility.
      But for the sake of solving the problem just go to BUNNINGS and buy a laundry tap for about $10 and just replace it or give it to the landlord to replace.
      Seriously not worth the effort of arguing this one to save a few bucks.
      Same goes for the landlord… just deal with it and move on.

      • 2025 on 08/09/2024 - 13:30

        You are supposed to turn the tap off when wash machine is not in use for safety reason.

        To be fair the operating instructions for washing machines don’t always include this step.

        I just checked a brand new Electrolux, yes it says to turn tap on before starting and off at the end, however a brand new LG makes no mention of those steps. OP may have been simply following the manufacturers instructions. Is it reasonable for people turn the tap off to the toilet when it’s filled, or dishwasher when it’s done, or automatic irrigation systems?

      • JIMB0 on 09/09/2024 - 08:47
        +1

        They can leak for any number of reasons, all of which are the landlord's problem. As the landlord is scummy and tried to pass this cost onto the tenant I'd be telling them where to go.

  • Gnilgorf on 05/09/2024 - 14:14
    +15

    Had a good chuckle reading this.

    From what you've described its likely an O-ring / Tap Washer inside the tap itself which has degraded over time. It's bound to happen to all taps, eventually. Things wear away…go figure. And would have nothing to do with removing a washing machine (which would have been screwed into the outside of the nozzle).

    Anyways, plumbing issues such as this is the landlords responsibility.

    • TaurusHead on 05/09/2024 - 14:17
      +2

      IKR, had it been broken by incorrectly handled or putting extra force would have made sense, how the hell is a tap leak and removing washing machine are related :D

    • HeWhoKnows on 08/09/2024 - 11:42
      -2

      WRONG
      If it was the O ring the tap would be leaking up through the stem.
      Like any other moving metal part it seized up because OP never turned the tap off between washes.
      Same happens with almost any moving metal part.
      I have suggested that OP goes to Bunnings and buy a new laundry tap for about $10 and hand it to the landlord to replace.
      Not a big deal

  • jv on 05/09/2024 - 14:28
    +2

    due to you removing the washing machine.

    Can they prove that was the cause?

    • garetz on 05/09/2024 - 15:38
      +13

      Proof is irrelevant, it is still considered wear and tear and the responsibility of the landlord.

      • jv on 05/09/2024 - 16:39
        -6

        Proof is irrelevant

        Not if it was 'damaged' and it wasn't wear & tear.

        They would need to prove though that it was damaged

        • ColtNoir on 06/09/2024 - 10:30
          +1

          Short of OP bending/snapping the outlet, it’s wear and tear. If that happened there’d be bigger issues than a drip leak.

          • jv on 06/09/2024 - 10:53

            @ColtNoir:

            Short of OP bending/snapping the outlet, it’s wear and tear.

            That is what I said.

            If it is not wear and tear, the RP needs to provide proof…

  • brad1-8tsi on 05/09/2024 - 14:29
    +2

    A leaking tap is fair wear & tear. If you had reported it while in residence it would have been a cost to the owner and now you have gone it is still a cost to the owner.

  • jugsy on 05/09/2024 - 14:34
    +7

    Reply with a full page of ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

  • JIMB0 on 05/09/2024 - 14:46

    So you've left and it's just leaking on the floor? You'd think they'd want to fix it ASAP before it causes major damage.

    • TaurusHead on 05/09/2024 - 14:50
      +3

      No, I've just shut off the water supply for the whole apartment for now

      • Ocker on 05/09/2024 - 14:59
        +29

        Leave the water turned off and say you have fixed the leak problem - which technically you have.

  • jizmo on 05/09/2024 - 15:53
    +2

    A 50 cent jumper valve is "fair wear and tear" Tell the real estate to "Get Pucked" and call them a retarded Monkey too! When they send the claim in to the bond tribunal it will make them look stupider when they tell them what you said.

  • rambao9 on 05/09/2024 - 16:08
    +1

    My IP was leaking too

    We just closed the tap during tenant transition

    And when new tenant came in, they also flagged it.

    I just told them to plug the washing machine in.

  • pegaxs on 05/09/2024 - 16:14
    +8

    And let me guess, he wants to use his plumber, who coincidentally is also his brother/uncle/father/in law/REA's husband/kick back subby and it's only going to cost… oh, would you look at that, exactly the cost of your bond.

    Leaking tap washers are the landlords problem. This would be considered fair wear and tear on a serviceable item and connecting and disconnecting laundry room taps from your washer is not going to damage tap washers or seats.

  • stuffandthat on 05/09/2024 - 16:15
    +1

    Cease communication with the REA or tell them to EABOD, and claim your bond straight away. Let them take it to VCAT/whoever.

    • TaurusHead on 05/09/2024 - 16:16

      The claim comes via REA, doesn't it? so they can still hold it off

      • stuffandthat on 05/09/2024 - 16:25
        +3

        No. The bond comes from the RTBA. Log on to their website and claim it now!

      • TaurusHead on 05/09/2024 - 16:35

        The last step of claim process says otherwise

        • Save 50 Cent on 06/09/2024 - 06:45
          +3

          They do get notified that you claimed it and have a few days to respond if they want to claim something against your bond.. but usually if their claim is bullshit they won’t dare to mention it and just let the bond go thru and not bother you again.

      • ColtNoir on 06/09/2024 - 10:32
        +1

        Confirm your state but I think most states besides WA and maybe SA allow you to claim from the bond board and then the RE has X period of time to dispute (by going to tribunal)

        • TaurusHead on 06/09/2024 - 11:00

          NSW, and I think it's the same case here as well

          • ColtNoir on 06/09/2024 - 14:10

            @TaurusHead: Yea, for NSW you can claim it as soon as you’ve handed the keys in. It’s fairly common for people to have the bond return form ready to submit before going into the RE and submit as soon as they walk out. Some RE’s will make claims within 15mins to just prevent you from doing so, even without doing the inspection.

  • brendanm on 05/09/2024 - 16:44
    +3

    You don't need to pay that. Tell the property manager to F off, and get a proper job.

  • JimB on 05/09/2024 - 16:47
    +6

    As a landlord myself, politely ask the manager to pass on a message to the owner to "Fck off you scumbag".

    • TaurusHead on 05/09/2024 - 17:24

      :D

    • sam-1966 on 08/09/2024 - 17:37

      Oh, JimB - that sounds straight out of "The Young Ones" - BRILLIANT!

      • JimB on 09/09/2024 - 11:11

        Most landlords and property managers are reasonable. Most tenants are good.

        It's the bad eggs (landlords, property managers and tenants) that spoil it for everyone.

        I've been very fortunate as a landlord and as a tenant.

        I've only had to 1 claim for property damage (dog scratched the shit out of a door trying to get into the house) in 20+ cumulative years of leasing out properties

  • shaybisc on 05/09/2024 - 17:24
    +5

    Property managers/RE agents will try anything on for an extra buck. Things that not even landlords would think of - that's why landlords employ them.

    • JimB on 05/09/2024 - 21:25
      +2

      Not all landlords.

      I employ one so I don’t have to deal with day to day stuff, repairs and inspections. Keep the tenants at arms length.

      I certainly don’t want to screw over or have the agent screw over the tenant.

  • Axelstrife on 05/09/2024 - 17:49
    +4

    Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago, moved washing machine to put a dryer stand in and when i reconnected it the tap started to leak.

    Drove down to bunnings and bought the parts for $14 and it was fixed in 30 minutes (couldnt be bothered contacting real estate over something so simple and didnt want it leaking for possibly days), $140 is insane though.

    You should absolutely not pay that.

  • try2bhelpful on 05/09/2024 - 17:58
    +3

    His property his problem. As others have said claim your bond and move on. It is beyond me how some Landlords try things on.

  • Clear on 05/09/2024 - 21:59
    +4

    Shitty landlord. I'd never do that to my tenants and my property manager wouldn't either. Wear and tear. I hope you've got your bond back.

  • DingoBilly on 06/09/2024 - 07:53
    +2

    Your landlord/Rea is shit. Don't pay.

    • duchy on 07/09/2024 - 13:39

      This would be REA. If it came from landlord they would have quickly explained to them it’s not tenants responsibility.

  • TilacVIP on 07/09/2024 - 11:05
    +1

    Well at least the poll suggests 5 landlords replied

    • JimB on 09/09/2024 - 11:12

      6 now.

      The vast majority of landlords would have voted Do not Pay.

  • duchy on 07/09/2024 - 13:38
    +1

    That’s usual wear & tear and not your responsibility.

    Landlord should get that sorted out before next tenancy.

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