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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Are landlords responsible for replacing broken TV sets?
My TV set looks like a souvenir from the 90s. It's definitely on its last legs and now the on/off button has stopped working. I can only power it on using the remote and switch it off by pulling the plug. Is it a reasonable request to ask for a more modern TV? I rarely talk to my landlord so I'm a little afraid of what to expect.
I think if the rental contract stipulates there is a tv, then the landlord should replace it, has it departed this world by natural causes. If you break it yourself, then the landlord can require you to replace it. So the question is if your landlord is the type that will blame you no matter what, or it is the more kind landlord you have.
In such a case I would be proactive and go to a supermarket or electronics store, find a cheap tv set. Then call the landlord and tell him that you can do the work of getting the new tv (not to worry, you of course by it in a place that delivers, connects etc) bought and installed as long as it is within an agreed pricerange. And then you get a deduction in rent to pay it off.
Most Chinese brand flat screens work pretty decently, no need to get an international brand. The only trouble can be that menus are in Chinese, but many Chinese brands have English as option too.
It really depends on your landlord.
If they are of the disreputable kind, you can guarantee it will be your fault and you won't get your deposit back.
If they are nice, they will just tell you no.
If they are really nice, they will replace it. (good luck with that)
If nothing from the above works, throw a childish crying/sobbing tantrum. Tell them (while sobbing) that you tried to turn it on and it wouldn't work, that you pushed this stupid button and that stupid button, and show them the pathetic-looking cord (pretend being electrocuted while plugging the damn thing). Tell them that now you can't watch this show and that show...and in-between mention words/phrases like: Beijing news, Great Wall of China, Shanghai entertainment, Shichuan food, Kung Fu, Li Na, and Chairman Mao. Make sure you flail your hands every now and then, and show your facial agony.
Most likely they'll replace your TV with their own set and fix yours for their use. Should that happen, make sure to buy them some treats (like some doughnuts or something) afterwards.
If this doesn't work, do it again the following day and so on until the landlord replaces it.
...or the heck with it and just buy a new one.
If the TV is in your contract as part of the rental the land lord should replace it. If not? depends on the land lord.
If it looks like you will loose your deposit, then trash the apartment and claim it was an earthquake.
This happened to me. My landlord tried to claim I broke his 1970's relic. I ended up buying my own tv, and he didn't withhold any of my deposit when I left. I was prepared for a fight that never came.
Delphine86:
I think a TV will cost more than the deposit though. How much did you pay for a new one? I thought they cost upwards of 5000 rmb no?
wagon:
Oh, I kept the tv. No way I'd leave it for him. The tv cost about 3000, and in the end, it's been worth it(2 1/2 years ago) Most tv's that you will get in a "furnished" apt will be junk. This way I can now connect my cpu, usb or whatever. Previous, I was left with the garbage that is Chinese television. Now I can watch foreign garbage, 50" of it!