Replacing Batteries - Tenant or Owner?

utopianblaster

utopianblaster

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Joined
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Backup batteries for garage door motors, alarms etc take a beating these days with load shedding, when these die who is responsible to replace? My rental agreement makes no specific mention and agent has told me the rental housing act says tenant responsible, I cant see it mentioned in there either. Lightbulbs I understand but these batteries are integral to the systems they support and not cheap. Got hit recently with a bill for replacing the lithium batteries for the wireless beams... nearly fell over when seeing the price of those and still feel like its a grey area being exploited by the agent.
 
It is a grey area, and the law has not kept up with technology. I would not pay for any kind of battery, and agent is taking a chance. Anything outdoors (not inside the house) 'feels' like it is not the tenant responsibility (IMHO).
 
utopianblaster said:
Backup batteries for garage door motors, alarms etc take a beating these days with load shedding, when these die who is responsible to replace? My rental agreement makes no specific mention and agent has told me the rental housing act says tenant responsible, I cant see it mentioned in there either. Lightbulbs I understand but these batteries are integral to the systems they support and not cheap. Got hit recently with a bill for replacing the lithium batteries for the wireless beams... nearly fell over when seeing the price of those and still feel like its a grey area being exploited by the agent.
Click to expand...
if it is not in the contract just say you not paying. Are they going to allow you to take it with you, when you vacate the premises?

Was it your neglicence that led to the premature death of the batteries?
 
These are electrical fixtures so IMO would be for the owner.

But how long is it going to take the owner to replace? Might be quicker to replace yourself and ask owner to reimburse you for cost of battery. Will also save him the call out fee.
 
Thanks for your thoughts gentlemen... this issue got kicked up to the "rentals manager" of the agent in question, his interpretation is that batteries are the same as lightbulbs and are "consumables" to be replaced at the tenants cost. Total bollocks IMO
The rental housing act states:
"The tenant must during the period of lease be liable to maintain, replace or repair
electrical globes, fittings and switches" Does not get more vague than that, and no mention of expensive batteries...
Anyways there you have it, tenants beware!
 
Keep the old batteries for when you move out and put them back in again. Oh wait, he will probably deduct it from your deposit :(
 
I would personally see it as my responsibility as the tenant... unless I just moved in and the stuff doesn't work.
 
My 2 cents , if the batteries were in perfect working order for a number of months and failed as a result of constant loadshedding, i think it is only fair for tenant to replace them.

The landlord has no control over loadshedding.
 
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Put your own batteries in and take them when you go.

Also take the curtain rails, kitchen counters, stove, and bathtubs.
 
3WA said:
Put your own batteries in and take them when you go.

Also take the curtain rails, kitchen counters, stove, and bathtubs.
Click to expand...
Just take the whole place.
wbend-digout-009.jpg
 
100% on the landlord IMHO. If I replace a battery as a tenant, I'm taking it with me when I leave
 
utopianblaster said:
Thanks for your thoughts gentlemen... this issue got kicked up to the "rentals manager" of the agent in question, his interpretation is that batteries are the same as lightbulbs and are "consumables" to be replaced at the tenants cost. Total bollocks IMO
The rental housing act states:
"The tenant must during the period of lease be liable to maintain, replace or repair
electrical globes, fittings and switches" Does not get more vague than that, and no mention of expensive batteries...
Anyways there you have it, tenants beware!
Click to expand...
I scratched that clauses out, kept globes, since what is fittings and switches, that forms part of the building in my opinion.

I will find the contract and post later.

Always scratched stuff out that does not makes sense before signing the contract.
 
I would consider how fair the landlord are with increases. In contract or not, the battery shouldn’t be more than a R1000 (max).
 
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