deducting from the deposit

[mamateur]

hello, I've just given my tenants notice that I'm moving back in to my flat. They have stayed for 3 years and been very nice. I've maintained the flat properly we've all been happy.

There is a lot of wear and tear to the flat and some minor damage but I'm prepared to overlook it because I would have had to do redecorating etc., if I'd had to relet.

They got a kitten which has used the sofabed as a scratching post. The fabric is shredded all down the front and it looks very shabby. I'll probably put it in the teenagers room. I bought it just before they moved in for 1200.

They asked how much I was going to charge them for it and I said 350. They seem a bit shocked. Is that about right?

I would err on the side of being generous with them but I do feel they should pay something.

I think that's rather a lot TBH. But then you haven't said how big their deposit was. Have you put the deposit into the government deposit scheme?

Maybe you could find out how much it would cost to get recovered? Its not as if its just "wear and tear".

Oh dear. I didn't think it was too much.

They have the option of paying nothing if they move out with 7 weeks notice (i.e. I'm giving them notice early in the month) instead of 10. But I don't want it to look like I'm trying to force them to take that option.

Surely recovering a 3 seat sofabed would be more than that?

Probably would cost more, but would help justify your charge! £1200 is an expensive sofa bed!

The annoying thing is, the cat belongs to the tenant who has been great all the way through, so it will come out of her share of the deposit.

I've already said they can use their last months rent as deposit.

I wonder if it would be fairer if I said for £350 she could take it with her?

I think £350 is fair enough actually, I only have to hear my cat think about jumping on the furniture and she's nudged off so they should have nipped the scratching in the bud, unless it did the scratching whilst alone in the flat in which case they have got off lightly with just £350 of damage.

I think you are mad to let them use their deposit as their last rent. Totally mad. Sorry!

Don't let them use deposit as rent payment - are you mad? £350 sounds fine to me too though.

I say this as a tenant who has just broken the bath a week before moving out, thus losing my deposit. I dread to think how much a new bath and all the associated tiling will cost.

I don't think it's mad to trust people is it? I feel I know them quite well after 3 years and have been in the flat very recently and there was no identifiable damage. It's an incentive to them to let us give them slightly less notice, a win-win!

Actually the last month's rent still leave me with 800 quid or so to return on the day they move out.

I guess the only concern is they see the deduction of the £350 as an "unfriendly act". 9 times out of 10 nothing would happen - but people do behave out of character sometimes, particularly over money. And like you say, you still have £800 to return...