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Original poster

Tenant deposit

34 replies

JadeFeather · 22/12/2015 11:15

Hi all
Once you have informed a tenant that you intend to retain their deposit and provided them with quotes for work that needs to be done how long do they have to respond/ raise a dispute?
Thanks

OP posts:
AndNowItsSeven · 26/12/2015 21:28

A fresh coat of magnolia is normal at the end if a tenancy. From what you have posted there is no legal reason to keep any of the deposit.
I am glad the scheme is in place to protect tenants.

BahHumbugs · 26/12/2015 21:33

Hi OP, have you asked the tenants to put a fresh coat over the walls for you?

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 26/12/2015 21:53

Sunny - most tenants don't expect to live in a place more than 6-18 months so the idea of doing diy is off putting. I'm not sure why you think most tenants don't clean their homes - that's just ignorant and offensive.

Sunnyshores · 27/12/2015 11:25

Not ignorant, unfortuantely its 20 years of experience at check outs and mid term inspections (not everyone obviously, but mostly).

As for basic DIY ie a cupboard door comes loose or a tap starts dripping, or a toilet becomes blocked I would expect tenants to be able to fix it, just as they would their own home. Not to call me and expect a handiman out within the hour, with little appreciation that that job probably cost me £50.

As I said if tenants were more like Rasin - a little more responsible - then landlords wouldnt need to charge as much rent. Surely this would be a good thing all round.

AndNowItsSeven · 27/12/2015 11:59

Sunny but one of the few onlyperks of renting is not having to pay for repairs.

Thornrose · 27/12/2015 12:07

Hmm, what if a tenant tries to fix a dripping tap and it goes badly wrong causing water damage to the property?

I'm a tenant and a bloody good one but I'd stay away from any plumbing related diy.

raisin3cookies · 27/12/2015 13:31

I understand about the plumbing thing - my husband is very handy and a quick learner (YouTube tutorials are amazing) - but I can understand not wanting to do plumbing fixes.

As much as our current landlord sings our praises and says what good tenants we have been, they still were planning to increase the rent in the new year (we are leaving tomorrow). I think rent prices are more than just about how reliable a tenant is, tbf.

Thornrose · 27/12/2015 13:38

Sunny, how do you find your tenants? If in 20 years they've mostly been irresponsible suggest something's going wrong somewhere!

Sunnyshores · 27/12/2015 14:57

My example of a leaking tap is just one example, keeping hedges trimmed, the garden neat, repainting any patches on walls, unblocking toilets are others. Not everyone would be able to or want to do all jobs and thats fair enough BUT the point I was making is there is definitely a correlation between the amount of ongoing maintenance a landlord has to pay for and the rent that is charged.

I was specifically remarking on Rasins post as she appeared to have maintained her rented home and had pride in handing it back clean and in good condition. And yes for a tenant such as this I would, and do, keep rents lower.

Renting is a business contract, it doesnt have to be just tenant pays x for house and landlord does x to house. There are extras that could be paid for or charged for on either side, things that could benefit both parties. Or are people determined that ll and tenant should be mortal enemy.

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