Responsible for Repairs to Washer?

[alc1113]

What is the name of your state? PA

I just bought a duplex in June with my sister and her husband. They are living in the upstairs apartment and I will be moving in downstairs when the current tenants lease is up in January. The way the lease was set up by the previous owner was that the basement can only be used by the tenants downstairs so my sister doesn't have use of the basement or the washer and dryer down there. We just received a letter from the people downstairs saying the washer isn't working and they need it fixed because they can't do wash. Is this something that I have to replace? I didn't see anything in the lease mentioning it but I wasn't sure if this consider the same as fixing plumbing, heating etc....
I am completely clueless to any of this and have no interest in renting to anyone but had to honor their lease when we bought the place. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? PA

I just bought a duplex in June with my sister and her husband. They are living in the upstairs apartment and I will be moving in downstairs when the current tenants lease is up in January. The way the lease was set up by the previous owner was that the basement can only be used by the tenants downstairs so my sister doesn't have use of the basement or the washer and dryer down there. We just received a letter from the people downstairs saying the washer isn't working and they need it fixed because they can't do wash. Is this something that I have to replace? I didn't see anything in the lease mentioning it but I wasn't sure if this consider the same as fixing plumbing, heating etc....
I am completely clueless to any of this and have no interest in renting to anyone but had to honor their lease when we bought the place. Any help would be appreciated.

**A: read the lease. Is the washer a landlord owned appliance and part of the leased premises? If so, then the landlord would be responsible to repair said appliances similar to if the range/oven or the ac/heater broke.

 

[FarmerJ]

When you bought the place was there any mention about the laundry equipment being sold with the place ? or a sep sheet showing the laundry equipment being sold to you ?

 

[alc1113]

I have to check the paperwork when I get home from work tonight but I do believe I remember two refrigerators and the washer and dryer being listed.

 

[HomeGuru]

Bottonline: if the washer is not the tenant's, then you the landlord must repair it.

 

[alc1113]

And how quickly does something have to be fixed?

 

[HomeGuru]

And how quickly does something have to be fixed?

**A: if you are a landlord, don't you think it would be wise to research the PA L/T law?

 

[alc1113]

I am a landlord by default, I don't ever plan on renting this property. The people renting know our situation and initially said they would be out by now so I didn't plan on running into any problems. I have looked up information but I am not understanding it and that is why I am here.

 

[HomeGuru]

I am a landlord by default, I don't ever plan on renting this property. The people renting know our situation and initially said they would be out by now so I didn't plan on running into any problems. I have looked up information but I am not understanding it and that is why I am here.

**A: default? The second that you closed on the property and the deed was recorded listing you as a legal property owner, was the second that you became a landlord period. It makes no bit of differncec what you intedning or did not intendt to do with the property. You bought the property and the tenants are there, so you are a landlord whether you like it or not. And now as a landlord, you must follow your state L/T laws.

 

[alc1113]

I came on here looking for help, not a hard time. If you have issues or are having a bad day keep it to yourself. No one else on here was rude. I asked a simple question....when I say by default I mean that yes I am a landlord but it is temporary and I know that I am responsible for heating, plumbing, electric....stuff that would be considered necessary for a place to be livable. This was something I wasn't sure of and based on stuff I read I still wasn't sure if I was responsible. That's it, end of story....I don't need your attitude.

 

[dakoto70]

In my lease

In my lease it states that anything, stove refridge, washer dryer, furnace, you get the picture. Anything breaks and I am responsible for it and I am the tenant. I thought me having to fix the furnace was kinda crappy but it was in the lease and I read it and signed it so therefore I feel I agreed to the terms. I would re-read their lease and see what it says about appliances.. Whos washer is it? did it come with the house when the tenants moved in?

 

[HomeGuru]

I came on here looking for help, not a hard time. If you have issues or are having a bad day keep it to yourself. No one else on here was rude. I asked a simple question....when I say by default I mean that yes I am a landlord but it is temporary and I know that I am responsible for heating, plumbing, electric....stuff that would be considered necessary for a place to be livable. This was something I wasn't sure of and based on stuff I read I still wasn't sure if I was responsible. That's it, end of story....I don't need your attitude.

**A: great. My "reality check" post worked.

 

[alc1113]

Thanks for your response Karen, I am going to read the lease again when I get home.

 

[alc1113]

Reality check??

 

[FarmerJ]

ALC Do one of you have a washer to put there ? go to the nearest used appl store and buy a CHEAP old used washer that you can keep for washing rugs and other extra grubby stuff . Yes you could decide to not do anything at ALL but remember you need the tenants cooperation to move out so you can move in .