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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

in thinking this is fair wear and tear?

12 replies

OurMiracle1106 · 25/08/2015 21:05

I live in shared accommodation and we have today received a letter with regards to the communal areas needing redecoration which they could do with however, the marks on the walls are from general wear and tear ie around the light fittings .The paint just wipes off if wiped so we can't just clean them off and now we are being given two weeks to decorate (i work full time) firstly I'm not even sure that this is our responsibility in the first place and secondly if it's fair wear and tear why are we doing it in addition to this we have a number of cracks in the walls which they have had a surveyor in to deal with as a result of the building work next door and these repairs surely need doing before the decorating?

I'm also reluctant as currently they have failed to get the sensors fixed on the stair lights which lead to all five flats and means we are walking in the dark or with use of our phones .And secondly out intercom buzzer has been broken for over two months despite a number of calls and still hasn't been fixed.

So Aibu to want to clarify its our responsibility, in thinking its fair wear and tear and wanting the other issues sorted out too?

OP posts:
DoreenLethal · 25/08/2015 21:07

What does your contract say - usually you would just do any decorative tidy up when you leave. I'd not be spending out decorating someone else's property - that's not on at all.

If in doubt, call Shelter for some advice. But read your small print first.

MatildaTheCat · 25/08/2015 21:08

Who is the letter actually from? Is it just your flat being asked or all the residents? Sounds very strange. Are you renting the property?

Ma77Black · 25/08/2015 21:09

YANBU, calmly set out the fact that it is wear and tear and do not your responsibility. Also set out, calmly, that routine maintenance is not being carried out. Ask for an agreed scheme of work with clear timelines to be set out. Make a note of all contact.

MsVestibule · 25/08/2015 21:12

Presumably you all pay an annual maintenance fee? I would have thought this should be used to keep communal areas in good condition. Does it say in your lease who is responsible for maintaining these areas?

I would suggest you all get together to write a letter to the landlord, outlining your concerns. Do you all rent, or do some of you own?

thecatneuterer · 25/08/2015 21:12

I've never heard of tenants being obliged to decorate anything - and certainly not communal areas. It sounds very odd. And yes it does sound like normal wear and tear. Who is the letter from?

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 25/08/2015 21:17

Check your contract!

If it was me, I would go to a paint shop, buy a couple of tester pots of paint.

Go home and paint giant dark-coloured flowers around the light switches!

Fun and funky. Covers up the dirty bits. Quick and easy.

wtfisgoingonhere · 25/08/2015 21:20

If you are in a flat shared areas should be done by property management I would have thought.

Echo what the others said, check your contract before doing anything and def chase the outstanding maintenance issues in writing

PHANTOMnamechanger · 25/08/2015 21:20

never mind the decorating, the darkness on the stairs must be against all sorts of landlords rules! so dangerous!

OurMiracle1106 · 25/08/2015 21:31

We are only permitted to repaint our own rooms in the colour it was when we moved in. (the whole flat is white so marks show badly)it says nothing in our contract regards of decorating. It does want a lick of paint but it wasn't freshly decorated when we moved in two years ago so I think after two plus years marks on white walls are to be expected.

The lighting is dangerous. The buzzer is an inconvenience and means I have to walk down 57 stairs to let friends in. However now its 43 very dark stairs I'm walking up and down. It's a matter of time before someone gets hurt tbh .One tenant was sent the letter with instructions to show it to others as well .I have annual leave on Friday .However I took that as I have An appointment I can't miss and I don't plan on doing decorating after .

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LumelaMme · 25/08/2015 21:35

It sounds as if your LL is taking the piss. As others have said, check your contract.

Charlesroi · 25/08/2015 21:45

It sounds like fair wear and tear to me, especially as it wasn't decorated when you moved in.
Agree with others - attempted piss-take by the LL.

OurMiracle1106 · 25/08/2015 21:52

That's my feeling on it tbh .If we hadoutrageous parties and there was wine stains etc all down the walls I would be ok with doing it but not as its been looked after

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