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I am after advice on who is responsible for this expense. I am a Landlord of a strata unit. I rent my unit. I do not live in close proximity to my unit. The current tennants have been in my property for about 3 years now. The current tennants are a male and female in their 20s. About six months after the current tennants moved in they requested that all the tap washers in the unit be replaced. As I hadn't had them replaced (that I know of for 14 years) I considered this a reasonable request and had all the tap washers replaced.
Some 12 months after this the tennants asked for two tap washers to be replaced (these had previously been replaced). Although I questioned whether it was my responsibilty I had the washers replaced. Now the tennants have requested that one tap washer be replaced (this will be the third time).
If I have it done it will cost me about $70 for a $1 washer. Since I had all the tap washers replaced about 2 years ago and have some replaced a second time 1 year ago, I am unsure of my position. I know under the regulations, as a Landlord, I am responsible for maintaining the property in reasonable repair.
I feel I fulfilled this requirement by replacing all the washers when requested to shortly after the tenants moved in and then replacing two again 12 months later when requested to by the tenants. At no time did I inspect the property and just took the word of the tenants/agents re the need for washer replacement. So I question whether I am now responsible for replacing the washers?
As I have had all the washers replaced I feel perhaps they should either incur the expense of replacing this washer or do it themselves?. As an additional question in view of the new regulations: The regulations regarding tenancy agreements specifies that upon entering into a tenancy there are 'No leaking taps anywhere'.
I am not a tradesman and not 'handy' but change all washers in my own house. As long as I fulfill this requirement ie no leaking taps at the beginning of a tenancy, does the replacement of washers subsequent to this become the tennants responsibility?