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Original poster

£1550 unreasonable to take ?

92 replies

Ttcfinalbub · 22/02/2022 12:33

We moved out of our home recently 2 weeks before we had to. At the same time I suffered a misscariage oh had to work mental hours to cover the dual rent period. We had decorated 2 rooms ( 2 m x 3m and 2.5 x 3m ) and had planned to put them back to normal but with my situation we just couldn't practically do it so we're prepared to pay a large amount from deposit. The landlord has come back saying she is taking the full deposit plus seeking 'more money '. Invenotry check out has issues with decorating- of course thats on us as is one carpet needing cleaned ( 2m by 3m) of course and slight limescale. We've had qoutes ranging from 350 - 700 for decorating £60 intense carpet cleaning. So where on earth does this amount to £2000 ? Is this reasonable ?

OP posts:
astoundedgoat · 04/05/2022 13:43

That's great news! HUGE relief for you.

Imperfectp3rf3ction · 04/05/2022 14:04

It is a massive relief and I am so glad scheme's like this exist now !

Nocutenamesleft · 04/05/2022 14:38

Raise a dispute through your deposit scheme.

limescale I would say would be under reasonable wear and tear. I would definitely counter that. If they truly had an issue then they should of Installed a soft water filter. But come on!

how long were you living there?

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hoorayandupsherises · 04/05/2022 14:40

Brilliant - thank goodness for the deposit schemes. Really pleased for you.

Nocutenamesleft · 04/05/2022 14:43

Ttcfinalbub · 22/02/2022 13:51

They sent the list of issues which was
2 x rooms reinstated to original condition
1 x carpet clean in small bedroom
1 x blind replacement
Limescale build up clean in lower toilet
And one footprint on outer front door ( this definitely wasn't there when we moved out and no idea where it came from but it is pictured )

The rest was same condition as moved in and ticked off by clerk. We asked for itemised breakdown because all we got was that list and that the full amount plus extra would be sought. We sent a message explaining qoutes in relation to each item needing resolved and got nothing back in response.

Original condition. Can you tell me what they mean by this?

for example a carpet mark is considered damage and they can claim that.

however wear in the carpet from living there for 20 years is not considered damage.

if you lived there 5 years they can’t argue really that the house be in the exact same condition as it’s highly unlikely it will be.

however actual damage is different. I wouldn’t of thought a mark on a carpet would be damage. Say a tiny mark from a spillage. However it is considered this. But most landlords don’t go for these kinds of thing.

just a few more questions . We’re you ever late on rental payments?! Did you move out on the date you agreed? Did you let people in to view etc? Purely because if you were a good tenant then bring that up. Say to them I was never late on rent I didn’t get to you fix everything on a monthly basis and k looked after the house. This puts you in good stead, however recently with people not paying rent due to covid this has (unfairly) make the water slightly muddier…

Nocutenamesleft · 04/05/2022 14:44

Ttcfinalbub · 22/02/2022 15:59

2 years here it wasn't redecorated before we moved in it was in decent condition but by no means perfect throughout, the paint is all light and would be pretty easy to cover over. I believe from the picture the footprint is dirt its the external door and I genuinely have no clue why or how it's there. I don't think so because most the painters are offering availability immediately ( this week ) we have written to them explaining this. I believe because they have many contractor freinds/ non official people this is why they won't offer evidence. But raising it with the scheme ust now with our evidence

The decorating is on you though. That did need to be put back to the original colour sadly if you didn’t first get permission from the landlord regardless of the condition of it before

Nocutenamesleft · 04/05/2022 14:46

Ttcfinalbub · 22/02/2022 17:48

She has just sent a message with redecoration only at £2900 ?????? She's put down to have the whole 3 storey house redecorated and charging us?
Carpet cleaning £150
£300

With more apparently to be added on for garden ( the garden was like it is as we moved in it's grass and was always bad quality ) and blinds throughout.

She can’t get the whole redecorated. So definitely contest that.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 04/05/2022 14:47

Imperfectp3rf3ction · 04/05/2022 13:31

Wanted to come back and thank all those that gave advice. Tds made their decision today strongly in our favour and we got over £1100 back

Brilliant! Landlord sounded like a money grabbing twat.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 04/05/2022 14:48

@Nocutenamesleft the OP has updated. see message at 13.31

BertiesShoes · 04/05/2022 14:50

Glad you got a positive outcome.

When my DS moved out of his first student house, they tried to charge for new mattresses, stating that the “under side was worn” - knowing full well that whilst the students probably had photos of top of mattresses, not many would have photos of bottom!

The students sent off photos of mattress tops, stating that these showed the mattresses were well worn when they moved in, and got all their money bank. Lots of landlords try it on!

Nocutenamesleft · 04/05/2022 14:50

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 04/05/2022 14:48

@Nocutenamesleft the OP has updated. see message at 13.31

Yup. Sorry it’s a username fail. I just read all posts by the original OP. Hence why I missed it.

Tabitha005 · 04/05/2022 14:55

This is really great news, OP and your landlord should tread carefully in future in making unreasonable claims as far as the tenancy deposit scheme is concerned - they usually fall in favour of the tenant, in my experience, where there hasn't been any obvious unreasonable behaviour or strong evidence of a tenant wilfully damaging a property.

I wish more tenants invoked the powers available to them under the tenancy deposit scheme - too many landlords get away with the sort of behaviour of your ex-landlord.

Landlord's who continually try it on for full re-decs and refuse to even attempt to understand the concept of 'fair wear and tear' need reminding of the law protecting tenants from their grabby antics.

Sirius3030 · 04/05/2022 15:12

Your LL is a scumbag. I am privileged to be a LL. My tenants just moved out without cleaning. I am claiming the cost of a professional clean against their deposit (probably less than £200). The place needed some repair so I have just spent £1000 on renovation. That was all due to fair wear and tear, and what you expect when someone has lived in a place. I understand that being a LL comes with some responsibility, and I’m not just out to screw my tenants over.

Feckingfeck · 04/05/2022 15:14

How were they decorated thought? Seems unfair if you had improved them. Unless you turned them into themed rooms or something 😁

ScribblingPixie · 04/05/2022 15:17

That's great, OP. Well done. Glad the deposit scheme is working well.

IcedOatLatte · 04/05/2022 15:19

Imperfectp3rf3ction · 04/05/2022 13:31

Wanted to come back and thank all those that gave advice. Tds made their decision today strongly in our favour and we got over £1100 back

Great result but change your name back and repost or you are going to get pages of unneccessary advice Grin

Blossomtoes · 04/05/2022 15:24

Brilliant news. Hopefully it’ll be a long time before she tries that trick again.

Leftbutcameback · 04/05/2022 15:25

Really glad that the scheme worked, didn't take too long, and that you provided an update and hopefully will give others an idea of what to do.

Eesha · 04/05/2022 15:28

Just to add here, my landlord did similar but actually faked an invoice. He assumed as my

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 04/05/2022 15:31

Eesha · 04/05/2022 15:28

Just to add here, my landlord did similar but actually faked an invoice. He assumed as my

don't leave me hanging!

crackersforcrackers · 04/05/2022 15:33

So glad to hear the good news OP!

kaleidoscope123 · 04/05/2022 15:43

Under the deposit guarantee scheme they can’t make these silly requests anymore. Even to just to get small amounts from you the inventory needs to be water tight. This happens more so when I rented in London but effectively they need to have photographed every wall including woodwork in every room before you move in and do the same when you move out. They can’t claim for wear and tear to a carpet / cleanliness of the property if it didn’t have a professional clean and all carpets cleaned before you moved in (they need proof of this taking place via an invoice). Any stains on carpets they need to prove it was you that did this via the before and after photographs. Whilst your not supposed to redecorate, if it’s to a high standard they can’t charge you to put it back. I would say no to any payment and go through the deposit scheme (they can’t take any of the money from it without your agreement so the more you push back the more time they don’t get any cash, you could offer up a token £500 once you’ve dragged it out a bit so they realise they can’t just take money!).

I’ve rented for years in London and also rent out a property in the regions. I’ve not had any amount taken off me renting (although I’ve not redecorated) but my tenants in my property have redecorated, put in more/different plug sockets and light fittings and lots of other things. All I’ve been able to charge is for a electric test to make sure it’s safe (not putting it all back to how it was!) and for them to carpet clean all carpets as it was before they moved in and they had a dog so it was an extra reinforced requirement but still had evidence of the clean before they moved in.

Push back! Some people simply shouldn’t be landlords, this is why the government is heavily taxing private landlords and encouraging new build rented estates owned and managed by private funds/institutions!

Imperfectp3rf3ction · 04/05/2022 15:53

Sorry yes I'm op was just an update that it had resolved. They must have seen straight through her and when she uploaded her check in inventory some the things she was trying to bill us for were already there.

wishmyhousetidy · 04/05/2022 16:06

Well done Op for this and glad it had a good outcome. Two of my friends in rentals had to use the deposit scheme due to unreasonable demands when the left properties- you shouldn’t have to fight for these things but well done

StuckInTheMiddleOfNowhere · 04/05/2022 16:10

These stories always terrify me.
When we went private. I took 100 photos of the entire house. Every blemish, mark, cupboard the lot and put in a folder.

As it was there were bigger issues the agents inventory missed! Example NO FIRE ALARMS!

In the end the LL contacted me directly and asked to come see as as far as LL was aware it was in good condition. He was gobsmacked!
He paid for the repairs instantly and said we can decorate provided i emailed photos to him and kept neutral.

Since then he's re build conservatory and new kitchen fitted.

Hopefully this is going to be long term.

Yes we've spent loads but its our home. Our own stamp with permission.
He offered to refund me for carpets etc but er declined as hes been great eith all the other stuff.
Boiler issue. He got it done same day 1st time. And abiut a week 2nd time (part order)
Water leak. Same day.

It scares me if ever had to move again