need some advice

enay73

hi everyone,

need some advice. hopefully you can help me.
I rented my flat for nearly 15 months and the tenant left the flat in a poorly state. Just bear in mind that the flat was completely refurbished, so when they moved in, it was completely new and spotless.
The renew the tenancy every six months and the last period they decided to move out and after my carefully consideration, I agreed them to leave without anymore charges. To be honest I was relieved when they moved as I had too much trouble with them.
When I went to check the flat, I found out lot of things which I couldn't believe myself. They even cleaned the flat, they left completely dirty and I found my wooden floor completely ruined with big scratches and if now I have to refix it, it will cost me a fortune.
Also I found the front door missing the handle, in the kitchen completely greasy and dusty. The cooker is even missing the plug which I do believe it's unsafe and I think the appliance must come with a plug when you buy. I found the oven unscrewed.
Found couple of tiles broken in the floor. Mould in the bathroom due condensation (never opened the window). Silicone everywhere I couldn't believe how much they used it, skirting boards, windows.
Walls completely dirty, needed to repaint again.
You should see the pictures you wouldn't believe it.
Now I told them but they won't agree, they said that the flat was in good state and also I do receive text messages quite heavy. They are insulting me and also a kind message like "con man" and at the end of the text, like "You wont get away with this".
the estate agent found them and now because all the deposit is under the estate agent scheme. I raised a dispute which I do believe to have my rights to ask at least the cost to repair and put it back as it was.
They kind harassing me and I told also the estate agent but it seems, nothing they can do rather to continue my dispute.
Do you think that it's a threat text? Do you think that in this stage the estate agent should help me and talk with my ex tenant as they are responsible in some way for my ex tenant attitude?
Any advice I would really appreciate it.
Thanks enay

alias69

Do you have an inventory (in writing) from the beginning of the tenancy signed by both yourself/representative and the tenants? As this will be invaluable in any dispute, as if it has been done properly will give an accurate account of the property, fixtures and fittings when the property was supplied. If you haven't it is likely to just come down to your word against theirs and you may be able to claim some things back but not others.

If not, do you have photos of the flat before you rented it / receipts that prove certain things such as the laminate would have been new at the start of the tenancy? As these may help as "evidence" that the property was in the good state of repair that you are claiming it was

enay73

Thank you for your kind reply.
I do have the inventory yes. and it says that it's completely new.
Let's see what happens
Any other advice for the attitude towards me?

alias69

In all honesty my advice would be to simply not rise to it, if you feel genuinely threatened by them then do report it to the police. But it just sounds like they know its going to cost them and they are bitter about that, and tempers run high in situations like this.

From what you have described it sounds like you will be better off without these people, continue to go through the correct channels to recover all losses you have made via their deposit. Chalk this one up as a bad experience and move on.

Might be worth look at tightening up your tenant vetting process, such as getting reference checks from previous landlords or increasing your deposit to minimise the risk of this happening in the future.