I moved out of rented property last weekend. I stupidly told the landlord the actual day I was moving out (rather than adding a day to it) so he and his wife and their friends arrived as we were moving so I was distracted. Plus no chance to give it a hoover etc. So I was on the backfoot.
The reason they gave for wanting to have the house back was refurbishment and it needed it. I moved in just in over 5 years ago and the decor then was tired. A problem developed with the kitchen floor (damp), there were a couple of plumbing emergencies including one where water came through the kitchen ceiling. I alwasy notified them about things as they happened.
The original kitchen and bathroom (over 30 years old) and these house were thrown up quickly so def in need of a refurb.
They visited the property three times during the period of my tenancy and did no maintenance or invested in the property during this time.
So they were walking round as we were moving out making little comments about the condition of it. I left a couple of appliances (in good condition) as I have ones in the new property. They complained about it but then put them on gumtree for sale within two hours of my leaving !!!
There was a trampoline in the garden (my son could not decide whether he wanted to take it) which they also got arsey about - I got it dismantled and removed within the week.
When I rang later the lanlords wife started saying they would have to get a decorator in and that they woudl have to replace the carpet "good carpet" she said.
When I moved in I asked her whether the carpet had been cleaned as it still looked dirty round the edges and imo it was a cheap. thin, carpet, also beige and very hard to keep clean. If I wanted to clean it I used to get down on hands and knees with a brush.
And if a house has not been decorated for over ten years then yes you would need a decorator but I don't see why I should pay for that. I am prepared to pay for a professional cleaner.
I think they came with the intention of finding things so I would not get my deposit back. They made me feel like shit on that day and when I introduced my landlord to a neighbour - they then started to talk and he turned around to me and said 'you can go now'!!
I just wanted to get this down and my plan is to write to them outlining what I think I should pay for and that I want the rest of the deposit back.
If we can't then resolve the matter then I will ask my friend to ring them (culturally I think they may respect a man more).
Oh and they didn't put my deposit in a scheme as I signed the initial tenancy before April 2007 - but I have been told that as I signed subsequent ones they should have and I could take them to court for 3 x deposit