Is your washing machine a fire hazard?

Do you have one of these? If so, check the model number. Do you rent a home with a Hotpoint or Indesit washing machine? If so, read on… Whirlpool has been regularly updating the Office for Product Safety and Standards on the progress of its washing machine recall programme.

The company announced in December that half a million washing machines sold under the Hotpoint and Indesit brands in the UK and Ireland between October 2014 and February 2018 could be affected by a flaw with the door-locking system. This could lead to the machines overheating and posing a fire risk. Consumers were advised to log onto a dedicated website and find out how to check whether or not their machine is affected. If this is you, here’s the latest data from the company, published last week. Under the recall, consumers with an affected washing machine are entitled to a free replacement or repair. Old machines will be removed, and replacements installed, at no cost to the consumer. Since December, more than 1.7 million people have logged on to the recall website for more information and just under 125,000 have been found to have faulty machines. In total

• 44,437 machines have been replaced (free of charge)
• 41,245 machines have been confirmed as not having the affected lock mechanism
• 22 machines have been modified with replacement parts

The average time taken from a customer registering their machine with Whirlpool to having their issue resolved is just under a month. Of the number of washing machines Whirlpool estimates are affected by the safety issue, only 31.7% have been registered. So landlords, if you have a Hotpoint or Indesit washing machine at your property, go to the website today and find out how to check the model number. If the machine is affected contact Whirlpool, who will resolve the issue. Renters with potentially dangerous appliances should also check with their property manager that steps are being taken to keep them and their families safe.