I'm embarrassed as I thought I could do this myself, but I've been naive and possibly shot myself in the foot in the process. Want to do the right thing.
Tenant of a number of years gave notice and asked what was expected when she left. We met up at the house, had a walk round and discussed what tenancy agreement states - a few things on inventory (drawn up by agents) missing so asked her to find/replace; cats have wrecked wallpaper in places so not just wear and tear; carpets to be cleaned but didn't have to be professionally as far as I'm concerned, curtains to be washed, etc. A couple of weeks later, I texted her that I wouldn't make any deductions from deposit if everything left clean and tidy. Should also say, sale agreed of the house during tenant's notice period.
Anyway check out time. Agents were sacked a couple of years ago for failings in management btw so I'm doing it. Place is filthy and we say we'll make arrangements for her to pick up the stuff she hasn't been able to pack/move. She's clearly stressed. She leaves before we can do walk round together.
I then find some window keys are missing - locks to be replaced as pretty cheap and easier. Stacks of rubbish in garden - two trips to the tip for me to shift it all. A wall cabinet in the kitchen has holes in the side as though something has been nailed or screwed to it. Same cabinet has also clearly been refixed to the wall, but it was never reported it was falling off/had fallen off. I'd noticed something odd about it on my visit a few weeks earlier but she answered, 'oh I don't know' when I asked had it ever been taken off or come away from the wall? Missing piece of cornice elsewhere in kitchen. Hole cut out of larder cupboard - I thought to accommodate plug rather than removing plug - but I have now realised the whole thing had been moved and the hole is to accommodate an obstacle: seems her f/freezer was too big for the gap. Hole cut is untidy and looks awful. I was never asked about this and wouldn't have given permission. It's a fitted kitchen fgs.
I texted her I would have to hire carpet cleaner and deduct from deposit to which the response was, 'won't new owner will just rip them up?' I have spent hours cleaning everything, including walls, carpets, floors, all woodwork.
How do I quantify the things which are damaged/missing? Can I charge for my time or have I really stuffed up and would I have been better off hiring a cleaner and having an invoice? I'm tired and brassed off with the state the place was left in. I couldn't have left it like that for the buyer and that's not at exchange yet.
I've tried to do the right thing and I don't want to be nasty/do anything which isn't lawful or, conversely, be taken for a mug.
Sorry this is so long. Any advice?