Toilet seats: Who Pays?

Brae100

I'm a tenant and am just wondering about who is responsible for replacing damaged toilet seats that need to be replaced after seven years of normal wear and tear.

I know, I know, it is a petty thing, but I am probably more interested in where the exact boundaries are between what a tenant should replace, eg. lightbulbs, and what a landlord should replace, eg. cooker, washing machine, etc.

Also, in the interests of full disclosure, the landlord is a corporate entity who has no problem sticking to the letter of the law with zero empathy. In previous rentals I would have had no problem in just replacing them myself, but with this landlord I wouldn't mind sticking them with the €40 bill.

Time

Brae100 wrote: »

I'm a tenant and am just wondering about who is responsible for replacing damaged toilet seats that need to be replaced after seven years of normal wear and tear.

I know, I know, it is a petty thing, but I am probably more interested in where the exact boundaries are between what a tenant should replace, eg. lightbulbs, and what a landlord should replace, eg. cooker, washing machine, etc.

Also, in the interests of full disclosure, the landlord is a corporate entity who has no problem sticking to the letter of the law with zero empathy. In previous rentals I would have had no problem in just replacing them myself, but with this landlord I wouldn't mind sticking them with the €40 bill.

Technically i'd say the landlord is, if it broke from normal wear and tear, as it's not a consumable item. In saying that you can buy one for about €10 so weigh that up against the effort.

Claw Hammer

It is a ****ty problem. You should complained about it in writing, else the customers will be taken from your deposit eventually if it is still broken when you leave.

Conservatory

Jesus landlords and tenants need to sit down and learn to get on.

Let’s Stop the animosity.

Brae100

Conservatory wrote: »

Jesus landlords and tenants need to sit down and learn to get on.

Let’s Stop the animosity.

That's not possible with vulture fund corporate landlords. They will put children out on the street without a second thought, as I very nearly found out last year. With previous rentals with private, personal owners I would of course have just replaced them myself. But with these corporate ****ers I'll take my small €40 victories where I can get them.

the_syco

Personally speaking, buy a nice seat, and bring it with you when you go. Landlords will replace it with the cheapest option possible, which may not be to your liking.

fritzelly

How long can you live with a broken seat?
Get a €10 special buy and move on.

Conservatory

Can imagine the op pooping like Superman for 6 months until them baxstard vulture funds pay him what he’s owed.

Brae100

fritzelly wrote: »

How long can you live with a broken seat?
Get a €10 special buy and move on.

No. It's not cracked or anything, the bolts have just become loose. It is a cheap seat and just needs to be replaced. If it is the landlord's responsibility to replace it I'm happier giving them the bill. As I said, if it was a rental from a private, buy to let person, I'd just replace it myself. But when it is a fund who threatened to make a child homeless, I'd rather not pay.

Mint Sauce

Brae100 wrote: »

No. It's not cracked or anything, the bolts have just become loose. It is a cheap seat and just needs to be replaced. If it is the landlord's responsibility to replace it I'm happier giving them the bill. As I said, if it was a rental from a private, buy to let person, I'd just replace it myself. But when it is a fund who threatened to make a child homeless, I'd rather not pay.

Just tighten the bolts, its probably all the landlord/handyman will do after inspecting it.

Brae100

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Just tighten the bolts, its probably all the landlord/handyman will do after inspecting it.

No, they are beyond repair. The plastic holding has broken on one side of both toilet seats. But regardless, that does not answer my question. Who is legally responsible for replacing such items in a long term lease? I also have a shower rail and curtain that needs replacing. Also curtains and blinds. Cheap tat that was originally installed seven years ago and which is nearing end of life. Where's the line?

fritzelly

The landlord is responsible for a functioning rental property - toilet seats included.
So plumbing, cookers, mattresses etc, things like light bulbs are not included (assuming it's not an unfurnished let)

Brae100

fritzelly wrote: »

The landlord is responsible for a functioning rental property - toilet seats included.
So plumbing, cookers, mattresses etc, things like light bulbs are not included (assuming it's not an unfurnished let)

Thanks for that. Exactly the sort of information I was after. Is their a list of items and a definitive line, or is it a rule of thumb type of thing? I'm thinking of the likes of curtains and blinds.

fritzelly

Brae100 wrote: »

Thanks for that. Exactly the sort of information I was after. Is their a list of items and a definitive line, or is it a rule of thumb type of thing? I'm thinking of the likes of curtains and blinds.

Would depend on the rental contract - anything to do with the structure like plumbing, electrics, walls, fitted units etc are the responsibility of the landlord regardless of the type of rental
Where furnished or part furnished then that would be part of the contract so what the landlord provides as part of the rental would be his responsibility. If you have to provide your own cooker then thats your problem.

So curtains/blinds would be the landlords responsibility as well if that is how the property was rented out.

But these things have to be malfunctioning due to normal wear and tear, if some kids were acting like monkeys swinging on the curtains then the onus is on you to replace them

awec

Brae100 wrote: »

That's not possible with vulture fund corporate landlords. They will put children out on the street without a second thought, as I very nearly found out last year. With previous rentals with private, personal owners I would of course have just replaced them myself. But with these corporate ****ers I'll take my small €40 victories where I can get them.

This is just nonsense.

Just ask them to replace it. They will probably have about 50 of them in a store room somewhere. You'll probably get it replaced within a matter of hours. The joys of having a professional landlord.

Brae100

awec wrote: »

This is just nonsense.

Just ask them to replace it. They will probably have about 50 of them in a store room somewhere. You'll probably get it replaced within a matter of hours. The joys of having a professional landlord.

It is not nonsense to say that you can't have a nice cosy relationship with a corporate landlord. You just can't. It is pure business to them. With individual buy to let landlords a tenant can have a friendly relationship. But not with corporate landlords. If they think that they can get even 1% extra rent by legally making children homeless, they will do it without even batting an eyelid.

But glad to know that they are in fact responsible for replacing the toilet seats, and that they will likely have a number of them in stock. That is exactly the info I was looking for.

the_syco

Brae100 wrote: »

If they think that they can get even 1% extra rent by legally making children homeless

Again with this line. What gives? Did their parent/s stop paying rent?

ED E

Brae100 wrote: »

It is pure business to them.

Exactly how it should be. They're your landlord not your bestie. So much less hassle with large agents.

Mrs OBumble

A toilet seat broken after only seven years? What on earth have you been doing to it.

Actually .. I don't want to know.

Replace it yourself. if the new one lasts for 15+ years, then ask the LL to replace it.

ted1

Brae100 wrote: »

fritzelly wrote: »

How long can you live with a broken seat?
Get a €10 special buy and move on.

No. It's not cracked or anything, the bolts have just become loose. It is a cheap seat and just needs to be replaced. If it is the landlord's responsibility to replace it I'm happier giving them the bill. As I said, if it was a rental from a private, buy to let person, I'd just replace it myself. But when it is a fund who threatened to make a child homeless, I'd rather not pay.

You are a prime example of a whinging tenant.

Wanting something replaced that isn’t broken.
Just reach under and tighten the bolts.

davo10

https://m.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/8328825/c_1/1|category_root|Home+and+furniture|14417894/c_2/3|19805481|Bathroom|14418043/c_3/4|cat_14418043|Toilet+seats|14418087.htm


Honestly, would you be bothered posting on the interweb about this, never mind getting wound up with your landlord?

Creamy Goodness

you've probably spend €10 of your time stressing and arguing about this in your head and that's before you engage the landlord to get them to fix it. just go buy a damn toilet seat and be done with it.

There are battles worth fighting and that ain't one.

Bugsy2012

Just goto Aldi and get one there cheap enough, and when you move out just leave it for the next tenant so they don't have to suffer this huge dilema.

beauf

I like the way almost no one reads the op comments just rant on about something completely different.

It's a landlord responsibility to fix things like to list seats unless they are getting repeatedly broken. Then the tenant should pay.

The op already said it's not about the effort or cost, it's about the principle. In which case there is only one answer. Ask the LL to replace it.

I like the idea that people think they break so often a landlord will have a 100 in stock just in case. What do you people do with them.

jlm29

beauf wrote: »

I like the idea that people think they break so often a landlord will have a 100 in stock just in case. What do you people do with them.

The people who think they break that often are the people who buy the absolute rubbish ones in argos and aldi. They’re such crap that they’re not worth €10

K.Flyer

Just phone the landlord and tell them the toilet seat is broken and ask can they send someone to replace it.
If they say no, then decide if its worth escalating it further.
Otherwise, just reach under and tighten up the bolts or go buy a new one.
If you decide to buy a new one, remember, you are the one having to use it, so don't go for the very cheapest as they are usually rubbish that breaks easily. Look out for one with metal stainless steel hinges and expect to pay approx 20 euro.

K.Flyer

K.Flyer wrote: »

ask can they send someone to replace it.

Ask who, a toilet seat engineer?

buy one yourself and send the receipt to the landlord.
If he doesn’t want to play ball then decide what you want to do (enjoying life is one option)

K.Flyer

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Ask who, a toilet seat engineer?

If you had of read my post a bit more carefully, you would have seen the words "the landlord" after the words "just phone" :rolleyes:

Landlords have handymen for this type of work, plenty of the landlords that I know, including larger corporate ones, will replace the toilet seat for their tenant.

beauf

K.Flyer wrote: »

...Look out for one with metal stainless steel hinges and expect to pay approx 20 euro.

It's generally the bushings and thread bolts that go. Why there isn't an standard baffles me. I thought they used to have square fitting to stop them twisting. All new ones seem to be generic and round to fit different sizes. As a result they have play in them which eventually breaks.

IKEA also do them though the sizings can be different.

K.Flyer

K.Flyer wrote: »

If you had of read my post a bit more carefully, you would have seen the words "the landlord" after the words "just phone" :rolleyes:

Landlords have handymen for this type of work, plenty of the landlords that I know, including larger corporate ones, will replace the toilet seat for their tenant.

My point being, why ask anyone (someone) to come and do this when I’m sure he op is perfectly capable themself.

Claw Hammer

K.Flyer wrote: »

Just phone the landlord and tell them the toilet seat is broken and ask can they send someone to replace it.
If they say no, then decide if its worth escalating it further.
Otherwise, just reach under and tighten up the bolts or go buy a new one.
If you decide to buy a new one, remember, you are the one having to use it, so don't go for the very cheapest as they are usually rubbish that breaks easily. Look out for one with metal stainless steel hinges and expect to pay approx 20 euro.

If you had read my post carefully, you would see that I advised putting the complaint in writing. That is what is required by the act. This keeps proper records which may be necessary in the event of a dispute about the deposit.

davo10

Claw Hammer wrote: »

If you had read my post carefully, you would see that I advised putting the complaint in writing. That is what is required by the act. This keeps proper records which may be necessary in the event of a dispute about the deposit.

Complaint in writing about a toilet seat broken after 7 years?

Legally the LL is responsible, but considering how cheap and easy a toilet seat is to replace, why would you get your knickers in a twist over it?

Also, at seven years, the part 4 cycle is coming to an end, if the tenant was writing letters of complaint about a toilet seat, I'd be inclined to move him/her on at the end of the cycle.

beertons

Who ever sat on it last should replace it.

K.Flyer

[Deleted User] wrote: »

My point being, why ask anyone (someone) to come and do this when I’m sure he op is perfectly capable themself.

You would be surprised, I have worked in apartments where tenants wouldn't change a fcukin' light bulb, and I'm not talking about tricky spot lights in the ceiling either.

K.Flyer

Claw Hammer wrote: »

If you had read my post carefully, you would see that I advised putting the complaint in writing. That is what is required by the act. This keeps proper records which may be necessary in the event of a dispute about the deposit.

First off I wasn't replying to your post... which I presume is this..

Claw Hammer wrote: »

It is a ****ty problem. You should complained about it in writing, else the customers will be taken from your deposit eventually if it is still broken when you leave.

Secondly, given that most of my work is dealing with landlords and tenants, a simple phone call to the landlord usually starts the ball rolling. You can then escalate to "complaining" by email if the landlord refuses the repair. But after 7 years of use, you don't start by "complaining".
f.f.s. the o.p. hasn't even contacted the landlord yet.

L1011

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

A toilet seat broken after only seven years? What on earth have you been doing to it.

Actually .. I don't want to know.

Replace it yourself. if the new one lasts for 15+ years, then ask the LL to replace it.

I'm on my third in 7. Imperial fittings and silly 90s decoration on the tank that stresses the lid and hence the fittings.

Current one requires adjusting every few months, and it wasn't cheap

dennyk

Brae100 wrote: »

It is not nonsense to say that you can't have a nice cosy relationship with a corporate landlord. You just can't. It is pure business to them.

It's a business relationship with any landlord, unless you're renting from family or close friends or something (and there's a reason people advise not mixing money with friendship or family!).

There's nothing stopping you from having a good professional relationship with a corporate management company; pay your rent on time, be polite and treat the folks working there with whom you interact well, and don't harass them about silly things, and if they're a decent operation, they'll likely be courteous and professional to you in return. I spent many years living in corporate apartments back in the US and never had any issues with any of them. What they likely won't do is cut you a lot of slack out of the goodness of their hearts if you should stop paying your rent or otherwise break the terms of your lease, but really, that's fair enough; if you aren't living up to your end of the deal, why should they? Now, of course there will always be ****ty corporate landlords out there, just like there are ****ty private landlords, but most are fine to deal with unless you go missing rent payments on a regular basis.

Graces7

You folks are lucky. I have to... hover.... as the toilet itself is no longer properly attached to the floor.... If I sit down (lovely raised toilet with grab rails etc) I have to be very careful...
if it moves, it floods..

It is on the list I was asked to submit to the Council when the power finally went on in January, with several other interesting items!

I am not fussed as living with no ESB was worse and am glad to have a roof over my head but there we are...

beauf

Well this thread has gone down the toilet....

If it's that bad grace you should report it as a safety issue if it's installed with mobility aids. Last thing you need is a fall.

Graces7

beauf wrote: »

Well this thread has gone down the toilet....

]]funny! I just could not resist!


If it's that bad grace you should report it as a safety issue if it's installed with mobility aids. Last thing you need is a fall.

Oh they know and the safety aids were here when I came. Been in this situation before in a run down rental and it is OK as long as I don't.... rock the boat! I had no rails at that place either so this is luxury...

Just thought it might ..cheer folk up re their seats!

boege

OP
Fixtures and fittings are generally the LL's responsibility but check your tenancy agreement as it should set out the responsibilities of both sides.

As a LL letting directly, I will generally change toilet seats on every letting and earlier if damaged/broken. I will also check the floor bolts every time as I am looking to prevent deeper levels of damage (i.e flooding). Its in my interest to keep the property well maintained.

Send a written note to your LL to indicate that the seat is broken. Its their decision to decide if it can be repaired/replaced but they do have to leave you with a functioning toilet seat.

Also, you are probably not dealing with the corporate property owners. They will contract letting out to agencies to manage their properties and will have a very detailed contract with them - hence the lack of flexibility you perceive. There may even be more than one middleman (middleperson?).

Brae100

OP here. I was in Lidl today and they happened to have decent quality toilet seats for €12, so I grabbed one and fitted it today. The damaged one was beyond repair. Cheap, plastic fittings that had snapped. I'll buy another one tomorrow and fit it to the other toilet as that seat is going the same way.

I will send the receipts to the landlord, now that I know that the toilet seats are actually their responsibility, which was my original question.

Thanks for all the replies.

Brae100

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

A toilet seat broken after only seven years? What on earth have you been doing to it.

Actually .. I don't want to know.

Replace it yourself. if the new one lasts for 15+ years, then ask the LL to replace it.

You always seem to appear in these landlord/tenant discussions. Always on the side of the landlord. I just ignore your opinion on such matters as you are obviously not objective.

fritzelly

Brae100 wrote: »

OP here. I was in Lidl today and they happened to have decent quality toilet seats for €12, so I grabbed one and fitted it today. The damaged one was beyond repair. Cheap, plastic fittings that had snapped. I'll buy another one tomorrow and fit it to the other toilet as that seat is going the same way.

I will send the receipts to the landlord, now that I know that the toilet seats are actually their responsibility, which was my original question.

Thanks for all the replies.

Ahhh here now, you didn't say 2 toilets seats need replacing.
Different perspective now - obviously the landlord is not taking care of the place and is very negligent towards his duties :rolleyes:
The throne is the most important seat in any house

But seriously you shouldn't be buying anything unless they agree to pay for it, can't just send them receipts..

ted1

fritzelly wrote: »

Brae100 wrote: »

OP here. I was in Lidl today and they happened to have decent quality toilet seats for €12, so I grabbed one and fitted it today. The damaged one was beyond repair. Cheap, plastic fittings that had snapped. I'll buy another one tomorrow and fit it to the other toilet as that seat is going the same way.

I will send the receipts to the landlord, now that I know that the toilet seats are actually their responsibility, which was my original question.

Thanks for all the replies.

Ahhh here now, you didn't say 2 toilets seats need replacing.
Different perspective now - obviously the landlord is not taking care of the place and is very negligent towards his duties :rolleyes:
The throne is the most important seat in any house

But seriously you shouldn't be buying anything unless they agree to pay for it, can't just send them receipts..

When I was renting I always got a new toilet seat and my own mattress. They are two things tenant should provide

fritzelly

ted1 wrote: »

When I was renting I always got a new toilet seat

Why?

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-20324304

ted1

fritzelly wrote: »

ted1 wrote: »

When I was renting I always got a new toilet seat

Why?

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-20324304

I like to be comfortable in my throne

Graces7

ted1 wrote: »

When I was renting I always got a new toilet seat and my own mattress. They are two things tenant should provide

Wise wise person... Makes so much sense. Thank you

Roberto_gas

Brae100 wrote:

OP here. I was in Lidl today and they happened to have decent quality toilet seats for €12, so I grabbed one and fitted it today. The damaged one was beyond repair. Cheap, plastic fittings that had snapped. I'll buy another one tomorrow and fit it to the other toilet as that seat is going the same way.

I would not even claim that small amount....in this market having a good relationship with landlord is everything....if you are paying reasonable rent at par or below market rates just pay for small fixes like this...

Graces7

boege wrote: »

OP
Fixtures and fittings are generally the LL's responsibility but check your tenancy agreement as it should set out the responsibilities of both sides.

As a LL letting directly, I will generally change toilet seats on every letting and earlier if damaged/broken. I will also check the floor bolts every time as I am looking to prevent deeper levels of damage (i.e flooding). Its in my interest to keep the property well maintained.

Ah you are wonderful!

This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time was in remote Donegal and the plumber said the floor was too wet for him to work and never came back ...

Subtle

Fair bit of bias at times in this thread.. The OP should simply have been advised to notify their landlord about the issue, and incidentally any other issues that might be in the background.

It isn't too expensive or a big job for them to fix themselves but they are probably not a plumber and may not necessarily be a good handyman.

Incidentally, my bugbear would be with landlords who rent out places with completely worn out mattresses. In some cases, I suspect they are probably pass-me-ons from their own homes!