Question regarding a issue with a landlord in Williamsburg (real estate, lease)

[Beane]

We are renting a house in Williamsburg and the house is owned by a family that is not in the area and everything is handled through a property manager (local real estate agent). They have generally been unresponsive to problems, but eventually get things fixed. The microwave broke and they replaced it after about a month. Our washer broke and they replaced it (grudgingly) in about a month. Our AC unit's drain pan was leaking onto the floor and after a week they finally sent someone, but not until after some of the laminate floor had started to buckle a bit near it.

Now the dryer has died and it's been two months in with no resolution. The property manager said that the owner has said they are not buying a new dryer and that the property manager was looking for a cheap used one out of the goodness of their heart. We are moving out in June, but it's become expensive to go to a laundromat. The dryer is listed as one of the appliances in our lease and I was under the impression that they are required to fix or replace it under Section 55-248.13 of the VRLTA.

Am I wrong to assume they are in breach of the VRLTA regarding the dryer? Thanks for any advice you can give.

[TN Lily]

I suspect you've already found the VRLTA online:
http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/homeles...t_handbook.pdf

One of the exemptions from the act is a landlord who rents a single family home and who rents 10 or fewer such homes. If this is your landlord's only rental, you are not covered by the act. And I am assuming your lease is with the actual owner, not with the property manager.

Unless you are willing to sue your landlord, I don't see that you've got much recourse. Why don't you buy a used or cheap dryer to use and set the broken one aside to put back when you move? Home Depot has a compact electric dryer for $227.95 (Magic Chef Compact 2.6 cubic feet electric dryer in white). I know that is not fair and it is aggravating, but buying a cheap dryer would seem better to me than hanging out at a laundromat.

Good luck.

[Beane]

The lease was handled by the property manager and cites the VRLTA in the lease including Section 55-248.13. The owner was never involved in the process. I've only met them once when they wanted to check on the house.

We're moving in June and I'm not buying a dryer just before moving.

[Coconut1]

I would suggest investing in a clothesline. It's going to save you a lot of headache (and money assuming you pay the electric bill.)