Like Tree40Likes

Need Advice : Trouble with Landlord

Closed Thread
Page 5 of 6 FirstFirst ... 2 3 4 5 6 LastLast
  1. #41

    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Taiwan and HK
    Posts
    6,158
    Quote Originally Posted by sunyhk:
    She got it repaired from Company and Sent me the bill of HK$4500
    Ah, yes, if repaired from the manufacturer, usually higher price...also, lately, due to supply chain issues, I hear replacement parts are expensive (brother does HVAC repair, tells me things are a bit nuts).

    It's ridiculous, but I would still just be inclined to settle and get on with life rather than fight (of course, negotiating for lower price or split cost of repair if possible).
    ByeByeEngland likes this.

  2. #42

    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Sai Kung
    Posts
    5,002
    Quote Originally Posted by MABinPengChau:
    Ah, yes, if repaired from the manufacturer, usually higher price...also, lately, due to supply chain issues, I hear replacement parts are expensive (brother does HVAC repair, tells me things are a bit nuts).

    It's ridiculous, but I would still just be inclined to settle and get on with life rather than fight (of course, negotiating for lower price or split cost of repair if possible).
    Unfortunate but I agree. We really do need a sticky somewhere with a long list of Q+As, advice for newbies on the pitfalls of HK versus what they might be used to in the rest of the world. I would add expiring contracts (e.g. HKT) into that mix. You are NOT going to be contacted before expiry of a term contract and if you then want to terminate will be subject to an additional predetermined cancellation period with charges possibly at standard rates rather than discounted contract rates. I know UK Insurance companies now do automatic renewals but I think they are still obliged to remind customers of forthcoming contract expiry.
    MABinPengChau likes this.

  3. #43

    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Hong Kong
    Posts
    2,495

    If the appliance is listed in the inventory, then it's usually the landlord's job to fix it if it breaks. Check what your lease says. Of course if the damage appears to be caused by negligence on your part - say a smashed stove top or something, then fair enough. But a fault with the appliance provided by the landlord, is usually fixed by the landlord.

    Tip for the future - when doing the handover inspection with the landlord photograph everything with time / date stamps. It might not stop the landlord trying it on, but likely gives you a much stronger claim against the landlord and you can threaten to use it as evidence in a small claim.


  4. #44

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    10

    It really depends on how much is your time cost and whether you want justice over money.

    If you want justice, you need to spend your time to prepare a statement of claim. Be prepared to answer unexpected question from the court.

    If you want money, negotiate with the Landlord on the ground of depreciation in value of appliance over time. It would be difficult to proceed further if you have no information on the appliance at the time of handback of the property. Try to work out with the Landlord for a fair amount of deduction and get back the balance from the Landlord ASAP.

    I had been a residential leasing officer as my profession acting on behalf of the Landlord but we did it professionally via having a proper record of handover and handback conditions duly signed by the Landlord and the Tenant.

    sunyhk likes this.

  5. #45
    Quote Originally Posted by D.YU:
    Yea.. but then you are the bad guy lol. But its a good option if you know the landlord is a dbag. This puts the problem back on the landlords court.
    Yeah, I know my LL is real dbag and I am 100% sure he will try to find excuse to deduct maximum amount.

  6. #46

    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    1,523
    Quote Originally Posted by LetsDiscuss:
    Yeah, I know my LL is real dbag and I am 100% sure he will try to find excuse to deduct maximum amount.
    Then he deserves the headache and stress. I hate landlords, especially HK landlords.

  7. #47

    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    8,280

    Why dont you just tell the landlord that the water heater is the fixture of the apartment, and if it breaks through normal wear and tear is always landlord responsibility to fix, just like aircon, oven, water taps, or anything else in the apartment provided to you by the landlord at the time you move in. So you should get the full $31,000 deposit back. Have you said this politely to landlord? I am curious to know what kind of response the landlord will give to this, because to me its such a simple open and shut case that a tenant would never have to pay for something like this.

    I really dont like the idea of fighting in court etc like everyone else, but this is so openly obvious that LL would lose, and they must know this if they had even half a brain. Polite but firm "Sorry but the water heater is clearly your responsibility" might knock a bit of sense into them without having to go to court.

    I find it a bit strange people are suggesting to get other quotes on water heaters, negotiate on depreciation, etc. This whole area completely landlord responsibility. You pay landlord $2m rent over 6 years for them to deal with this shit and take care of the things that break normally.

    Sage and Beanieskis like this.

  8. #48

    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Posts
    1,327
    Quote Originally Posted by bdw:
    Why dont you just tell the landlord that the water heater is the fixture of the apartment, and if it breaks through normal wear and tear is always landlord responsibility to fix, just like aircon, oven, water taps, or anything else in the apartment provided to you by the landlord at the time you move in. So you should get the full $31,000 deposit back. Have you said this politely to landlord? I am curious to know what kind of response the landlord will give to this, because to me its such a simple open and shut case that a tenant would never have to pay for something like this.

    I really dont like the idea of fighting in court etc like everyone else, but this is so openly obvious that LL would lose, and they must know this if they had even half a brain. Polite but firm "Sorry but the water heater is clearly your responsibility" might knock a bit of sense into them without having to go to court.

    I find it a bit strange people are suggesting to get other quotes on water heaters, negotiate on depreciation, etc. This whole area completely landlord responsibility. You pay landlord $2m rent over 6 years for them to deal with this shit and take care of the things that break normally.
    I agree, but the OP has no leverage aside from small claims, which just isn't going to happen.

    Landlord has keys plus deposit. That is a situation you never want to be facing.

    I'm not too clued up on banking, but does issuing a cheque have any bearing? Does that cheque still have any value for the OP or is it just a piece of paper now?

  9. #49

    Join Date
    May 2017
    Posts
    201
    Quote Originally Posted by bdw:
    Why dont you just tell the landlord that the water heater is the fixture of the apartment, and if it breaks through normal wear and tear is always landlord responsibility to fix, just like aircon, oven, water taps, or anything else in the apartment provided to you by the landlord at the time you move in. So you should get the full $31,000 deposit back. Have you said this politely to landlord? I am curious to know what kind of response the landlord will give to this, because to me its such a simple open and shut case that a tenant would never have to pay for something like this.

    I really dont like the idea of fighting in court etc like everyone else, but this is so openly obvious that LL would lose, and they must know this if they had even half a brain. Polite but firm "Sorry but the water heater is clearly your responsibility" might knock a bit of sense into them without having to go to court.

    I find it a bit strange people are suggesting to get other quotes on water heaters, negotiate on depreciation, etc. This whole area completely landlord responsibility. You pay landlord $2m rent over 6 years for them to deal with this shit and take care of the things that break normally.
    I missed telling an important detail. My mistake.

    Since, my estate was commissioned only in 2016, they gave full warranty on every electric appliance fitted in the apartments by the builder, e.g. Fridge, Microwave, Aircon, Water Heaters, Hob etc.

    Hence, the Standard Contract here mentioned wear-n-tear as responsibility of the tenant and Not LL.2`

    Estate's Warranty expired 2 years ago. And Hence, LL is behind my back for the repair costs of the water heater.

    I'm actually talking to my LL daily, He's unrelenting on the costs and Hence, he intentionally let the cheque bounce.
    MABinPengChau likes this.

  10. #50

    Join Date
    May 2017
    Posts
    201
    Quote Originally Posted by FrancisX:
    I agree, but the OP has no leverage aside from small claims, which just isn't going to happen.

    Landlord has keys plus deposit. That is a situation you never want to be facing.

    I'm not too clued up on banking, but does issuing a cheque have any bearing? Does that cheque still have any value for the OP or is it just a piece of paper now?
    Bank returned the cheque to me after the bounce. I can resubmit any time, It's still valid.

Closed Thread
Page 5 of 6 FirstFirst ... 2 3 4 5 6 LastLast