Slight damage to laminate work top in rental. Can we be expected to cover replacement cost?

[BellaI]

We've been renting for 3.5 years and just given notice. The cheap laminate work tops bubbled up in a few places near the kettle and peeled off. I pointed this out when the house was last inspected. Now we are planning to move out the agent have sent a letter that we are liable for the cost of replacement. It's in a long run so wouldn't be cheap to change. The joiner said they may as well change whole lot as wouldn't be much more expensive. Agent says we could try and claim on insurance but contents doesn't cover work tops. Are they being unreasonable? It was prob over 2.5 years old when this happened, so not brand new. I see it as wear and tear!

Isn't that wear and tear?

Sounds like wear and tear to me.

I think I'd argue wear and tear.

Even if not laminate worktops is £90 for a 3 m run from Howdens so don't let them charge you over the top.

I think this is wear and tear if you haven't been putting hot pans on it or crashing heavy objects down.

even if it isn't, the landlord doesn't get 'new for old' - he gets a portion of the value of the item according to its age.

agent is wrong. Tell them. This can be registered as a dispute with your deposit protection scheme too.

Thanks all I will go down the wear and tear route!