Who should pay?

[Unknown63]

I’m a student and have just left a rental property.
on my move in day my wardrobe door had one hinge of three completely off. I obviously took a photo of this.
after a month of living there the door came off and the landlord was aware of this.
my landlord is now telling me it was a new wardrobe and I may have to pay for repairs or buy a new wardrobe entirely!
I think this is really unfair as it was bound to fall off without a bottom hinge not to mention all the issues of mould and damp we have had throughout the house and in 3/6 bedrooms, mine included.
if he does try to take money do I let him? What can I do to protect myself in this situation!

Is your money in a protected deposit scheme? If so then you can argue the toss there and get external mediation. If not then you may be able to sue him for three times the deposit amount for not putting it in one which will be a great bargaining tool for you. I say might as not sure if this applies to individual room lets as opposed to whole properties. Will check.

No I would argue it's wear and tear! Especially as it was not in new condition when you moved in. Maybe citizens advice can help if it's a private landlord?

Further to the above have a read of the below and see if it applies to you.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/deposits/check-your-landlord-has-protected-your-deposit/#:~:text=Your%20deposit%20has%20to%20be,an%20assured%20or%20protected%20tenancy.

Definitely don't agree to pay. If your LL has secured you deposit you will be able to dispute his claim for replacing the wardrobe. If he hasn't secured it he could be liable for more than you paid for your deposit.

www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection

“Dear slumlord,

I attach a screenshot of my text message with the photograph attached of the missing hinge on the wardrobe door. It’s a shame you didn’t take the opportunity to fix it before it further deteriorated. I will not accept a deduction from my deposit when you declined to fix something that was broken when I moved in.”

No don't pay. As others have said, if your deposit is held in an official deposit scheme there is a dispute process through that where you can argue your case. If you have copies of the email and photos you sent the landlord wouldn't stand a chance! Probably it will never get that far though, as it's a bit of a pain of a process to go through for a a cheap wardrobe! There's also the chance the max he would be awarded would be the cost of 4 cheap hinges - probably about £2!

Your university may have an accommodation service that is able to help guide through situations like this. Worth looking them up.

No, you don't have to pay!
Do you still have the photo? Send it to him again with a reminder/ any other messages or emails. He had the opportunity to repair it but didn't bother. He's now trying to fleece you because of his lack of attention.

Absolutely not your issue.
Your deposit is or should be protected and 9/10 is returned unless major works need to be taken on. A new wardrobe door does not count as major works.

This guy is trying it on. Know your rights, communicate by email so there's a paper trial and refuse to payout anything.

Hi all! Thank you for all the replies! I’m feeling better already!
yes my deposit is secured through DPS. I’m obviously new to the renting world and was getting really worried by his passive aggression!
I will wait to see what DPS said, thank you everyone!

I have attached photos from move in day including paint marks on the door which would likely prove the wardrobe couldn’t possibly be brand new ;)

They're not the sharpest photos but I expect they would be good enough.

Just a word of warning if you end up going to a DPS dispute - keep very focused on the specific issue being disputed and don't start ranting about a whole host of other issues (you mention mould/ damp etc) unless you are also being charged for them. It doesn't help to start listing all the issues you have had in some attempt to discredit the landlord (even if it IS true!) as the DPS system only awards/ adjudicates on specific issues and claims of damage, not an overall level of 'rogue landlordishness'
Keep you language neutral and factual i.e.
YES - the wardrobe hinge was broken at the beginning of the tenancy. Although I sent an email on xx/yy/zz this was never repaired (photo attached)
NO - This landlord has been a nightmare and a liar from the start. We have had NUMEROUS issues with him and the house including .........

Good luck @Unknown63 . Good advice from @Legacy

Yes to all the above and in future, take really good photos, several of them and video it too with commentary. This is especially important on the day you move in to any property, leave your stuff in the car, go inside the property and inspect everything, photo and document it all. Then send the landlord a list of all the issues, email it and keep the email in a separate folder so you can easily find it. Also copy in the letting agent if it has gone through them.