Should I get a full deposit back?

[loie]

First rental I've ever had. Moving out in a few months and trying to determine how much of the £650 deposit I'd get back.

There's marks on the walls and a few stains on the carpet in the living room.
The toilet seat is loose a bit.
They left the plastic wrap on the bathtub and my DS has pulled half off. Also if you kick the bathtub (by accident!) or knock it wrong, the side of it comes off (but it was actually like this when we moved in, I just hadn't mentioned it).
The top drawer on the small set of drawers is loose.

How long have you lived there? It mostly sounds like fair ware and tear to me!

There are actually strict rules about what they can take money from your deposit for. It doesn't have to look brand new (or even in the same condition as when you moved in) as long as it's not actually damaged.

The stains on the carpet sound the most dodgy to me, depends how big they are and what is on them! (Spilt bottle of nail varnish= expect to lose money, scuff marks in high traffic areas= normal use so shouldn't lose anything)

Side panel of bath they probably won't even notice but next time remember to mention it when it happens to be sure

@BadnessInTheFolds will have been a year and a half. The stains on the carpet are more like orange juice and milkshake or pasta sauce that won't seem to budge. They're not massively noticeable.

I did forget to mention the stains on the mattress though too.

I doubt there would be much if any deducted. Could you borrow/hire a carpet cleaner for the stains on carpet and mattress. Can you tighten the fixings on the drawer? Magic sponge for wall marks.

Have you had the carpet professionally cleaned? I’ve seen miracles worked on stains that I couldn’t budge!

Note of caution about magic sponges-they take paint off really easily if it isn’t the best paint

I worked in property for many years, and made the decisions on deposit returns. I would advise you to correct what you can yourself i.e. toilet seat, loose drawer etc.

In regards to the carpet and mattress; expect a charge for cleaning of these. You cannot be charged full cost of replacement however.

Walls; expect a charge for touching these up - unless you do this yourself.

Cleaning - expect a charge for general cleaning. Unless you have cleaned to a professional standard. Also, unless you moved in to a grubby flat (inventory is critical here as mentioned below)

You should be given an end of tenancy inspection where any potential deposit-reduction matters should be highlighted, and give you a chance to rectify prior to move out date. If you take appropriate action on these, you should not be charged for these issues.

I strongly suggest you keep a copy of your entry inventory, and compare thoroughly with your exit inventory. Keep a note of any emails you have where you have reported/discussed repairs or issues in the home during your tenancy. Particularly important in highlighting how clean property was etc, and any misc. marks around walls etc.

Should you disagree with any deposit reductions you have the right to appeal this via your Third Party Deposit scheme, hence keeping the evidence being to your benefit.