Need to leave my flat in a decent state!

Sethisis · 26 September 2013 at 9:34AM

Hello, I've been lurking on this board for a while now, and have noticed you all have some great cleaning tips.
As I'm preparing to move out of my rented flat in the next few months, I've started to worry about how we're going to get our security deposit back.

There's a list of nasty problems which I was wondering if someone could advise on how to deal with cheaply and quickly?

1. Mould on the bathroom carpet, from where the bath was leaking.
2. Mould stuck on the sealant bit on the window frames.
3. Rust on the radiators.
4. A big chunk on the corner of the wall where the paint's fallen off. It looks like a few layers of paint are gone, just painting over it will still leave quite the dent.

5. What looks like rust on the electric hobs. They used to be black, now they're kind of orangey brown...
6. Cod liver oil on the bedroom ceiling xD
7. Grey marks on all of the doors where I've wiped away the mould. No amount of scrubbing is getting rid of the stains!

Could anyone please help? It's feeling quite overwhelming at this point!

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liney · 26 September 2013 at 9:38AM

Have you contacted the Landlord about the excessive damp that is causing, sans Cod Liver oil(!) the problems? It's a real health issue.

Try Sugar Soap on the doors.

http://www.wikihow.com/Kill-Black-Mold How to remove mold.

I think you will need to paint the ceiling. Oil will not generally budge.

Sethisis · 26 September 2013 at 10:26AM

Thanks for the speedy response liney!

I will be informing the landlord about all the damp problems when we go, although I'm pretty sure he's well aware of it. It's probably why our rent's so low. Ideally I'd like to do as much as possible so the next tenant doesn't move in and have the same shock as us when everything starts crumbling away, but I just don't have any spare money right now.

Thanks for the tips on sugar soap, and the link.
I was hoping there may be another way to deal with the ceiling, it's papered if that makes a difference? Also, as explanation, my OH got the cod liver oil on the ceiling when we started taking the capsules. The cats were interested, so he popped one open and splattered it everywhere! :rotfl:

mineallmine · 26 September 2013 at 10:40AM

I use an old fashioned cleaning product called Vim. It's a powder, contains bleach too. Wilkinsons sell it. It really is very good at brightening up areas. You could always do a patch test first.

Prior to the landlord coming round to inspect it (or the agent) I'd give the place a really good airing. Open all the windows. Bleach the loos. Shake and vac the carpets.

Best of luck

RAS · 26 September 2013 at 12:14PM

Please go over to the renting and selling forum where folks who are experienced LLs and tenants can advise you.

First things first; what does the in-coming inventory say?

Second this; is your deposit protected in a scheme (and assuming you are in England and Wales) did the LL provide you with the prescribed information within 30 days?

I think that if you advise the LL about the damp now, you can avoid any problems but that if you wait until you leave the LL can charge you for failing to inform him of the problems.

sonastin · 26 September 2013 at 12:43PM

RAS wrote: »

Please go over to the renting and selling forum where folks who are experienced LLs and tenants can advise you.

First things first; what does the in-coming inventory say?

Second this; is your deposit protected in a scheme (and assuming you are in England and Wales) did the LL provide you with the prescribed information within 30 days?

I think that if you advise the LL about the damp now, you can avoid any problems but that if you wait until you leave the LL can charge you for failing to inform him of the problems.

^^this^^

Plus...

What has your relationship with the LL / letting agent been like during your tenancy? If things have been good, it might be worth opening up a dialogue with them about what they would like you to do about the various issues. The agent might have recommendations and/or experts they could recommend and the LL might just appreciate that you're willing to make the effort and be more forgiving about the stuff you couldn't fix because he knew you'd tried.

But if it has been a useless agent and/or a couldn't-care-less-as-long-as-I-receive-my-rent-on-time Landlord, you'd probably be wasting your breath. Might sound to them like you're trying to get out of cleaning up so you should judge the relationship carefully before deciding if dialogue would help.

Pink. · 26 September 2013 at 12:46PM

I can't be the only person who is wondering how you managed to get cod liver oil on the bedroom ceiling?

Once you've had some more replies from the Old Stylers I'll move your thread over to the House Buying, Renting & Selling board to see if you can get more help there.

Pink

Slinky · 26 September 2013 at 1:48PM

Pink. wrote: »

I can't be the only person who is wondering how you managed to get cod liver oil on the bedroom ceiling?

See post 3

fuddle · 26 September 2013 at 2:16PM

The incoming inventory and the scheme of condition are the two documents that you need to take a look at.

From my experience as a tenant, it will be these documents and what is contained in them that will be crucial in getting your deposit back.

Sethisis · 26 September 2013 at 2:25PM

Thank you everyone.

The incoming inventory mentions a few of the problems caused by the damp (paint coming off the walls etc) but not anything about the damp itself.

Our deposit is correctly protected, all in order. The landlord is a bit of a "I don't really care" type, I suspect he has quite a few properties and isn't really keeping track as it's always taken us a long time to get any issues solved. That being said, I think you're right about us needing to mention it now. It kind of covers our backs a bit if we've said something.

fuddle · 26 September 2013 at 2:31PM

Sethesis I think that's good starting point for you fighting your case to get your deposit back. The mention of damp issues at the beginning of your tenancy (how long have you been there?) will help your case I'm sure.

When this gets moved the experts will give you better advice but fight every step of the way if your LL requests money from your deposit. I did and won.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Need to leave my flat in a decent state!

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