Taken to court by ex landlord for decoration etc of property after 10 yr tenancy

[AgnesR]

Hi
Would love any advice or support or pointers towards help
I am so upset because my ex landlord is taking me to court for £7500 for a load of repairs, new carpets, worktops etc, plus loss of rental income after my 10 year tenancy.(Rent was £750!)
I always paid on time, asked very little of them
All the carpets were old and thin when I moved in
There was of course wear and tear after a family lived somewhere for 10 years
but it was totally clean, totally emptied (of course), and we did lots of painting over scuffs. Several people helped and I honestly thought we left it in a (more than) fair state for them to do the necessary work after a 10 year tenancy (to good, polite tenants!)
I am already under so much stress with severely disabled child, my own health issues, finances etc and this is the last straw!
Thank you

Get advice, try to get your deposit back and stand firm. As a landlord myself I can't believe this piss taker. He was lucky to have 10 years solid rent from you. Have more confidence in your situation - you have done nothing wrong and he won't win.

The worktops had cracks in the seams between pieces of laminate and these go worse over time! they did own it from the beginning
They are charging top whack for new everything and labour
Thank you, I feel stronger and will get advice from CAB and fight it (already fighting LA over EHCP and no provision for 2 years, and have no appetite for it!).
I did call Shelter helpline but a message said it was emergencies only
Feel so much better after all your comments though, thank you so much

Also do you have any correspondence about refusal to allow assistance dog. That sounds unreasonable in your circumstances and will not impress a tribunal.
They are just trying it on to see if they can get a few £100 from you. Get advice and a well written and nicely worded letter that tells them to fuck off.
Was there a managing agent or did they handle it all 'in-house'.

They handle it all in house. Big local company
Yes I have all the correspondence where they said they considered it but would not allow assitance dog!

I am surprised they have issued it and obviously paid the court fee, I was assuming they were bluffing...

Wondering what the repairs are?

You should fight it. It really won't be hard, they have no grounds.

Absolutely apply for your deposit back. Otherwise it looks as if you acknowledge there was non-wear and tear damage. Plus you should get it back - you are owed it.

I mean I am suprised that they have paid a court fee

I think if the deposit is not in the Protected scheme, there are big sanctions for them, which might affect their ability to proceed through the court. I'm not sure of the details, but I do think they cannot withold it without your agreement. Is there anyone else on here who can give more help on the deposit issue?

Please don't be bullied by your ex-landlords. They're probably seeing how far they'll get. See if there's any local groups where this has happened to people previously. Have you got photos from when you moved in and just before you moved out? They might have created further damage after you left?
Defo agree with the PP that said apply for your deposit back. Whether you get it or not.

Shelter, cab or probably better still write to the guardian newspaper consumer help person, I know 2 people who have been helped by them, one is similar circumstances, really quickly too

The repairs I do beleive to be wear and tear
Apparently no cover to under counter light (which I never used)
and a missing lightbulb - charged £90
Mould around windows
Discoloured shower screen seal
Painting and decorating

It certainly needed some work to be looking new and perfect but I thought I had left it all ready for that...

I always thought Shelter was for people facing homelessness. CAB can help with legal matters.

Have you settled the deposit dispute ? If not I'd strongly recommend you don't agree to the deductions as their definitely don't side with landlords and especially not after a tenancy that long. I'd be amazed if a LL got compensated for a carpet after 5 year's use let alone 10. They have seen you as a soft touch and going all guns blazing - as long as there isn't something missing about the state of the place you honestly have nothing to worry about (& hopefully have photos to demonstrate how it was left)

I just need to attend to child needing so will have to respond shortly, thank you so much though

@AgnesR landlord here!! cannot see why he would consider taking you to court! surely he doesnt expect carpets to last more than 10 years? as for stained worktops, I doubt they would be new when you moved in! everything should be classed as fair wear and tear and any replacements and refurbishments are all tax deductible anyway!! what a nasty landlord he is but this may very well be coming through an agency!

Me again, You should get your deposit back. If not they must itemise the reasons. Make them spend their time on that.
For them it is a game, they are probably expecting to hold your deposit and get a £1,000 from you eventually. They would break even on the time they spend harassing you. Any more will be bonus for them.

Blimey - you don't have the same landlord as me do you? Kent coast, they own in region of 450 properties, mortgage free?

It wouldn't surprise me if your crooked LL did this with all their exiting tenants. They will probably have solicitors on a retainer as they will deal with problem tenants as their property portfolio sounds large.

Please try to get advice as they will know the terminology to use.

the court fee wont be alot anyone can do it thats not the point

he probably thinks because you let the deposit go he has grounds to say youve admitted theres problems in the house that will be his case

The deposit scheme are actually more likely to side with the tenant. LL will be trying it on to get more money out of you/keep your deposit. Let them waste their money taking you to court.

Ring shelter for advice.

I had something similar when I lived in the U.K. I said there was zero way I’d pay for brand new replacements of items that were 5+ years old. The landlord sold the property after I was there just 8 months, (I was evicted, even though I had an 12 month fixed tenancy.) and wanted to replace everything and charge me. Things like £100 for a ‘dim’ lightbulb, and brand new curtains at £400 because there was a small tear in the lining. It was laughable.

I passed the place by a few months later and the new owners said everything was being ripped out anyway, and they’d told the landlord that before they bought from him. He was just a cheeky bastard. Didn’t even live in the U.K.

TDS sided with me: they got nothing.

My ex LL tried to stitch me up when I left my tenancy. In the 5 years I lived there he never once did any maintenance to the house. Before I moved out we decorated from top to bottom, put new flooring down in the bathroom, replaced all lampshades etc and left the house in a good condition. The carpet when I moved in was already threadbare and fraying in parts, I tried to get the pile up with steam cleaning it but it was too worn. So imagine my rage when after I moved out, I received a letter saying I won't be getting my deposit back as the house was in such a shit shape that all the flooring need replacing and it needs decorating! There was lots of other stuff which was blatant lies. He was constantly telling me I was the best tenant he had ever had in the house, so no idea why he was wanting 5k out of me (Including my deposit) - fortunately on the day we left my partner took date stamped photographs of every room from different angles, and I was able to submit those photos to the deposit scheme company in order to get my deposit back. I'd never privately rented before, so must have come across as naive to him I think.

I know exactly who you mean. I though FW had sold up?