Apologies, my title is a bit long.

Our dishwasher stopped working and we sent an email to our rental agency to come and check it. A technician came over the next day, said it was broken due to it 'being ancient' and left. A week later a new dishwasher was installed.

Today we received a bill for CHF2000 from our rental agency saying we have to pay for the dishwasher.

Is this normal? After the technician left, no one contacted us again and a technician simply arrived with a new dishwasher. No discussion about us being liable for the payment, nothing at all until this letter arrived.

The letter states that the machine was defective and very old, and it was not damaged due to us. So why are we being made to pay for the new one? Should the landlord not pay for this?

Thanks for any feedback. Just a bit baffled.

Unless you have something about appliances specifically in the lease, it is the rental agency's responsibility. Even more so, if the appliance was not "broken" by you.

NOPE, you are NOT reliable for the replacement!!

This is the landlord's/agency who acts for the landlord duty!

You'd be liable for minor repairs on appliances or in general, commonly up to 150.- as a maximum or whatever your rental contract states. But you are not liable for the cost for the new dishwasher.

And even if the dishwasher wasn't included in the lease for some reason (which would be very unusual and would have to be explicitly mentioned since it was there when you moved in), then it would be up to you whether to replace it, they can't just do it and send the bill!

As always, the Renters Rights Organization (the Mietverband in German) can help you with this type of issue. You need to pay a small fee to join, but they'll help you sort this out.

Thank you everyone for your replies.

They are currently looking into it and will get back to us. Our contract says all appliances are the landlords responsibility which is why this bill is a surprise.

In addition to not only having to pay, but Chf 2000 for a dishwasher

Renters association in Vaud is ASLOCA

I bought a Miele 23 months ago for about that much. It announced there was a leak and shut down. The engineer said "the door's broken. You've broken it". 1000CHF to repair.

I bought a new Sharp for 700CHF. And will never buy Miele again.

(OK, the new one backfills, but the supplier is actively trying to fix it).

Make sure you confirm your complaint and their next steps in writing...

I've always always bought Miele and my stuff has lasted forever and has been if the highest standard. I suggest that your experience is unusual. For instance they routinely top which magazine Best Buy lists.

23 months should be within warranty, he may have tried to bypass that by blaming you. It might have helped to contact the supplier directly. Even if you think it's not worth the hassle there may be more cases similar to yours if he's trying it on, in which case Miele will probably welcome the info.

This is typical of landlords and their agents. They send you the bill. If you are naive and gullible and/or ignorant of the rules, you pay. They win.

Contest it, keeping track of every move you make in the process. All communications should be in writing, registered mail. After you win, send them a bill for your time and expenses, but don't expect them to pay it.

Good luck.

It's sad that you have to always be alert to this kind of dishonest behaviour from owners and régies. Asloca is your friend.

ftfy

When I was a landlord I didn't ever try anything like this, but my experience with agents is very good.

Indeed, when I was a landlord I joined ASLOCA so I could understand my obligations. The regies were useless.