Forceful act of Landlord/Agent to fix Kitchen Appliance

blueredface

Hi there,

We have been living in an apartment for 5 years and recently (two years ago) old management/Tenant Agency has been taken over by new which has been causing issues for Tenant to make Landlords happy since they took over.
Recently, we have had some issue in kitchen when one part or Hobs of Cooker / Oven was stopped working 6 months ago which we have notified to Agent. They sent a guy to fix/replace the Hob which took couple of weeks to replace Hobs. New Hob was replaced but not completely fitted on top of Oven like it was originally came with Oven and few gaps were left which he filled with some fluid. Technician also advised us to let him know in case if anything happened to this gap.

Unfortunately, after just 3 months of use, it started burning the wooden part around the hob which we have immediately notified the Agency. This was quite dangerous and asked to fix it as soon as possible which both Agency and Technician didn't get back to us for number of weeks and eventually broke their silence after I reminded them twice that Landlord is not willing to pay it again as he spent already 6 months ago and Technician has informed the Agency that it was our (Tenant) negligence for this braking the Hobs.

Surprisingly when I asked how come it was our negligence and was told we have used larger pots then the size of hobs which caused the damage and when I insist the details, Agent said he wanted to visit the place in front of Technician which I said no problem anytime come and see.

So long story short, Agent try to trap me initially by saying his words on me that I understand it was not you guys (me and wife) intentionally done but was happened accidently. Would you agree to pay half of the cost (over 800 Euros) which he can talk to landlords? When I wasn't impressed and he has seen me not agreeing, he said think for a day or two and come back to him which I eventually informed him by email that I cannot afford and I am not liable as this was not our negligence but the fixture of new hob was not properly done which only last for three months.

The agent kept quite for another month and sundenly informed me that their reports and pictures suggest regarding damage, their client (landlord) has instructed them they are not accepting any liability for damange but are satisfied that damage was happened due to large pots used which were not suited which is considered beyond normal wear and tear.

I have explained and shown him the cooking pots / vessels which we have been using since we moved to this particular apartment 5 years ago and we never complained or informed that some issue with hobs using same pots for 5 years unless 8 months ago when one old hob stopped working.

Not only this, Agent and Landlord has used some forceful words that Agents client (Landlord) expect that we (Tenant) will repair it at our own expense with acceptable manner and Landlord will not take any liability for any damage to person or property resulting from any further neglect on our part in repairing the damage in timely manner.
As you can see above, both Agent and Landlord are taking advantage of Shortage of rental property in the area and increased the awful lot monthly rent which we have accepted on our last lease renewal and now both Agent and Landlord don’t want to take liability of any fixture of the property and putting everything on us as we haven’t done any damage to the Appliance and its definitely worktop hob was not fixed property which caused the damage which both Technician and Agent are not accepting.

We have been living in same property for over 5 years and in same locality nearly 8 years in total and we have always been a good tenant, looking after property, paying rent on time and all other usual stuff.

Could you please suggest, who should we contact either PRTB or a solicitor or agency who are specialised help us family as we have kids and can’t pay that much what they are asking to pay when its not our negligence.

Thanks in advance.