Tenants Damaged Work Surface!

jammy78

Hi,

My ex-tenants have damage the kitchen work surface & will need replacing.

How much will I be able to take from their deposit? The house is a new build, so everything was new when they moved in.

As a estimate - I'm thinking it will cost £300 for it to be replaced???? I know they are now expensive but I thinking the labour will be a lot?

mizzbiz

How badly damaged is it and does it really need replacing?

Often, landlords will claim replacement for the smallest scratch which would not affect the quality of life of the next tenant.

Unless they've gouged a hole out of it or something, I would consider letting it go.

Debt_Free_Chick

Agree with mizzbiz - you need to describe the damage. Are you sure it's not just normal wear & tear?

CHR15

Pretty poor question all round really. I hope the OP can do better when/if they contact a tradesman.

IT could be a simple flat top easy to obtain design with no cornering or the most complicated cornered piece with Hob etc in and a bespoke design.

brightonman123

if a small areas, is there some sort of filler that could be used, to save having to replace thw whole thing?

Angela

Sounds like normal wear and tear, mine is damaged and I dont abuse it.
Have a look at your one at home are there NO marks etc on it.

Lavendyr

You have to allow for reasonable wear and tear. The house has been lived in; you can't expect everything to be back exactly as it was when it was brand new. Worktops do get scratched during everyday use. If it's just a few scratches, it's just wear and tear, most likely. If, on the other hand, it's a big gouge out of the surface, you might have reason to deduct from the deposit.

It's absolutely impossible to tell you how much you can take from your tenants' deposit to cover it without knowing the type of worktop and the extent of the damage. However it's a question you're far better asking of some tradesmen than of an internet forum. If it is some serious damage (rather than simple wear and tear), you should get three quotes and take the cheapest, to give yourself the best chance of proving that you have been reasonable. If the tenants don't feel you are being reasonable, they can take you to court and a judge will be more likely to find in your favour if you demonstrate a) that the damage was extensive enough not to be wear and tear and b) that you have been as reasonable as possible in trying to arrange repairs at a fair cost.

As an aside, I assume that if the tenancy commenced (or an agreement was signed) after April 2007, you protected the deposit appropriately, in which case the scheme should administer any dispute in the first instance.

jammy78

It looks like they have burnt the surface & it's now cracked. There is 3 spots about a size of 20p dead center of the surface.

I know you got to expect wear & tear but this isn't - it's misuse or carelessness. If it was there own house I guarantee they won't have done it!

Plus I didn't buy this house to let it out - it is for me & all the stuff in there is quality. I only moved out as I was having trouble with the ex (who I owned it with) & I plan to move back in. So when people say you have to expect this damage - I say no. Fair enough if the property is a sh#te hole, then it doesn't matter.

Yeah the deposit is in the protection scheme but I'm prepared to do whatever to keep for the damages caused. Can I tell my LA that I want to hold £550 for the damages and if they don't like it they can administer the dispute - is that how it works?

CHR15

blimey! I already pity the tenant even if it was neglect.

jammy78

CHR15 wrote: »

blimey! I already pity the tenant even if it was neglect.

Yeah it's alright to damage other people property but hey it's ok - it's only wear & tear :money:

CHR15

Don't rent your Palace out then!!!