"Standard" Wear and Tear Expectations?

waiting_to_exile

Hi,

I have been renting a flat for over 5 years now and I think that I'm likely to end the tenancy this year sometime. This, of course brings up the deposit concerns and I'm wondering if there are any standard guidelines for the lifespan of things like carpets and painted walls.

I have no problem with getting the carpet steam-cleaned before I leave, but I still feel it is likely to look rather tired as it was hardly new when I moved in. Also, there are a few areas on the walls where they have been marked (the paint is non-washable) and a few dents in the plaster from furniture being moved about. I'm sure there will be a bit of a deduction, but I'm also thinking that I haven't been doing anything I wouldn't do if I owned the place and repainting once every five years seems relatively normal.

Is there any rule of thumb that can be used in case the landlord tries to argue that I should pay for repainting? What about the allowance for the age of the carpet? How long would an average carpet be expected to look decent?

Thanks for any help.

fleenio

Hi,

I am in a similar situation. I think it states in my T and C's that the landlord does expect wear and tear. But when I move out, things should be left like they were when i moved in (im guessing this means what was on my inventory and the positioning of the furniture). Obviously I am going to clean as best as I can but I dont know if this includes curtains and sofa, etc.

anselld

Just been reading a book on this. It is not absolutely clear cut. Examples given were..
Carpet - clean, but worn - should be OK
Stained, torn, burn marks etc - not OK.

Paint - Finger marks round lightswitched etc OK
Crayon drawings, stains, etc - not OK

Walls - the odd nail hole etc - OK
multiple holes, dents etc requiring filling / repair - not OK

Curtains - similar to carpets

It also made a big point about accuracy of the original inventory, eg the difference between "domestically clean" and "professionally clean", noting the state of repair of each room etc. If the inventory is vaugue the L will have difficulty proving any deterioration was down to you.

Incidentally, what sort of paint is "not washable"? Tread carefully but gentle application of sugar-soap solution works well on most paint finishes.

waiting_to_exile

anselld wrote: »

Incidentally, what sort of paint is "not washable"? Tread carefully but gentle application of sugar-soap solution works well on most paint finishes.

The paint appears to be rather cheap, and very porous. I've managed to get some things off it over the years but anything that can get into it, will. The worst bit is where I used to have my TV. When I moved it, there was a kind of shadow mark above it (you couldn't see it with the shelving) that looked like it might have come from dust floating up from the back. When I tried to wipe it down it just made it worse.

I wouldn't expect it to cost more than 50-100 quid or so to put the marks and dings right, but I'm obviously worried that the landlord will just make a general "I need to redecorate everything and you're paying" judgment.

barnaby-bear

waiting_to_exile wrote: »

Hi,

I have been renting a flat for over 5 years now and I think that I'm likely to end the tenancy this year sometime. This, of course brings up the deposit concerns and I'm wondering if there are any standard guidelines for the lifespan of things like carpets and painted walls.

I have no problem with getting the carpet steam-cleaned before I leave, but I still feel it is likely to look rather tired as it was hardly new when I moved in. Also, there are a few areas on the walls where they have been marked (the paint is non-washable) and a few dents in the plaster from furniture being moved about. I'm sure there will be a bit of a deduction, but I'm also thinking that I haven't been doing anything I wouldn't do if I owned the place and repainting once every five years seems relatively normal.

Is there any rule of thumb that can be used in case the landlord tries to argue that I should pay for repainting? What about the allowance for the age of the carpet? How long would an average carpet be expected to look decent?

Thanks for any help.

ARLAs own guidelines are good (see the betterment section too)
http://www.arla.co.uk/infosheets/list.aspx?id=7

Industry has guidelines on fair wear and tear on a 5 year tenancy - redecorating seems expected
http://www.homelettingservice.co.uk/wear/index.htm


Dirt isn't really wear and tear - Rug Doctor hire for £40 in B&Q and the carpets will look better plus you have a recipt to show cleaned...

barnaby-bear

waiting_to_exile wrote: »

Hi,

I have been renting a flat for over 5 years now and I think that I'm likely to end the tenancy this year sometime. This, of course brings up the deposit concerns and I'm wondering if there are any standard guidelines for the lifespan of things like carpets and painted walls.

I have no problem with getting the carpet steam-cleaned before I leave, but I still feel it is likely to look rather tired as it was hardly new when I moved in. Also, there are a few areas on the walls where they have been marked (the paint is non-washable) and a few dents in the plaster from furniture being moved about. I'm sure there will be a bit of a deduction, but I'm also thinking that I haven't been doing anything I wouldn't do if I owned the place and repainting once every five years seems relatively normal.

Is there any rule of thumb that can be used in case the landlord tries to argue that I should pay for repainting? What about the allowance for the age of the carpet? How long would an average carpet be expected to look decent?

Thanks for any help.

Was it a new build? Odd question it may seem - but my mate had really powdery paint in a new build and the LL tried to charge him - he went down to the showhouse on the development as they were only there a year to find out the shade of magnolia to rectify it - and they told him new builds have special paint desinged to let the plaster dry out that purchasers are told has a very short limited expectancy... once he got a letter from the builder stating this and threatened the LL with action the deposit came back :rolleyes:

Debt_Free_Chick

waiting_to_exile wrote: »

I wouldn't expect it to cost more than 50-100 quid or so to put the marks and dings right, but I'm obviously worried that the landlord will just make a general "I need to redecorate everything and you're paying" judgment.

The LL is not entitled to reclaim the whole cost of all the redecoration from you. He can only claim the part of the redecoration that relates to your "damage" - £50-100 using your estimate.