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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is this "normal wear and tear" on a rental property

119 replies

Dundundun · 07/02/2019 21:30

I hand my keys back to my rental property tomorrow and just wondered what counted as "normal wear tear" as i really need my full deposit back.

So I have cleaned every visible surface including paintwork and windows, cleaned inside all kitchen cupboards and drawers, cleaned the oven and extractor etc. Basically if you can see it I've cleaned it.

I've filled in all holes from where I had my TV on the wall and painted over the marks with the paint the landlord said the last tenants had used and left except it's a lot lighter shade of magnolia now it's on the wall so it's obvious where I've painted, will be charged for this?

I've tidied the garden but can't mow the grass as A) we've had really bad snow and rain for 2 weeks and B) I sold my mower already without thinking. Will this matter?

There is also about half a bin of garden waste as my council don't collect the green bin between November and March. Will this matter?

And finally one wall of my bedroom was a purple colour and I didn't have any paint of the right colour paint and my bed has left a black Mark on the wall, I have scrubbed it best I can but it's still slightly noticeable (but not a big black line any more) will this matter?

Thanks in advance 🙂

OP posts:
nancy75 · 07/02/2019 21:32

How long have you lived there? I think w&t takes into account the length of tenancy

Seline · 07/02/2019 21:34

They'll always take your deposit. I have a dispute going on because they're trying to claim the property needed professional cleaning despite me moving my furniture two months prior and cleaning the entire house a week before I gave the keys in.

Seline · 07/02/2019 21:34

I got charged for not cutting a bush too so you'll get charged for the lawn.

nancy75 · 07/02/2019 21:34

They don’t always take your deposit, Ive always got my full deposit back

Seline · 07/02/2019 21:35

I've never known anyone get it back in full. They'll always find something in my experience.

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 07/02/2019 21:37

Make sure you take full pictures and a video so you can prove your point in disputes.

FadedRed · 07/02/2019 21:38

Take lots of photos.
Have you tried one of those white ‘magic sponges’ on the mark from the bed? They usually work very well on that kind of mark, without damaging the paint surface.
I would empty the bin if you can.
Some contracts insist on a professional clean at the end of a tenancy - check your contract, the photos you have will be evidence it was clean and can be useful if the LL says they had to get the placed cleaned, but actually didn’t IYSWIM.

Seline · 07/02/2019 21:39

Yes do take photos. I've done that and that's why it's able to be challenged!

purpleme12 · 07/02/2019 21:39

It completely depends how picky your estate agents/landlord wants to be

nancy75 · 07/02/2019 21:40

If your contract says professional clean / carpet clean when you leave you will need receipts to prove you had it done.

FadedRed · 07/02/2019 21:40

Your lawn shouldn’t need mowing in winter, unless you neglected it in the summer. In fact it can damage a lawn to mow in cold and wet conditions.

WarIsPeace · 07/02/2019 21:41

Needing to repaint for the odd scuff should be W+T if you've been there a while, not so much if it was 6m

pineapplebryanbrown · 07/02/2019 21:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SingaSong12 · 07/02/2019 21:43

Take photos of it on day you leave, use high quality camera. If you are England (don’t know about elsewhere) your deposit should have been protected. If there is a dispute you go through the scheme.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/tenancy_deposit_deductions_your_landlord_can_make

MaxNormal · 07/02/2019 21:43

I've never known anyone get it back in full

We got two full deposits back in two years.

PenguinPandas · 07/02/2019 21:43

Think they generally always take a bit off - I spent 3 days cleaning ours and had £80 taken off. My friend did nothing and had £80 taken off, she told me not to bother cleaning as they would still take money off. When I told someone else they had money taken off for not dry cleaning curtains before they left.

Bunbunbunny · 07/02/2019 21:43

Sorry should have shared this one!

www.tenancydepositscheme.com/resources/files/Product%20Lifespans%20Guide_DIGITAL.PDF

Original poster
Dundundun · 07/02/2019 21:44

I'm worried they are going to be picky because the cleaning list they sent me was ridiculous imo.

I loved there 18 months.

They never did an inventory and when I moved in the place was by no means perfect, things like the laminate in the lounge was quite damaged as the previous tenant had a dog and the door frame of one bedroom was quite damamged and I'm worried they are going to try to blame me for those. Can they do that?

It was my first rental so didn't think of taking pictures of damage when I moved in but will take lots tomorrow before I return the keys.

OP posts:
anxiousbundle · 07/02/2019 21:44

@thighofrelief101 that is mental! Honestly some people are crazy.

Did your son ever get his deposit back?

MaxNormal · 07/02/2019 21:45

I should add, we were renting our own property out in that time period and if the tenants had left the place in reasonable kip I wouldn't have attempted to keep any money.
Unfortunately they trashed it.

Bunbunbunny · 07/02/2019 21:46

Who's is your deposit registered with? If they make any claims in your deposit raise a dispute as they can't defend it with no check in report

Lazypuppy · 07/02/2019 21:46

If they have stipulated a cleaning list in your contract you need to complete everything on it.

whifflesqueak · 07/02/2019 21:46

I’ve had one back in full after two years but honestly that flat was a health hazard when I moved in. I could have shat on the floor and it would have been an improvement.

My last one was just moved to my new house because it was the same landlord.

What you describe sounds fine but I guess it depends. Is your landlord decent?

MsSquiz · 07/02/2019 21:47

I used to work in a property management office.
How long have you lived there? The longer the tenancy, the more scope you have for wear and tear.

What does your tenancy agreement state wrt to end of tenancy - some state a professional clean is required, some state that it needs to be in the same state of cleanliness as it was when you moved in

Take dated photos of everything! Inside of fridge/freezer, oven, washing machine, dishwasher, etc, Inside cupboards, Any marks, however tiny. All doors, walls, windows, carpets. Marks on carpets of high usage areas (in front of front door, for example)

You then have all your proof to hand should they query anything. If they tell you they will be making deductions for things you don't agree with (and have evidence to prove it is incorrect or unnecessary) do not allow them to claim via the deposit protection service, dispute it. You will allowed to submit your evidence, and it is up to the landlord or agency acting on their behalf to prove otherwise.