Worried about condition of wood floor of rented flat

ariana66

Hello. Can I get some advice?

I rent a flat with my partner and toddler. The flat has a parquet wood floor that is very soft and unsealed. This means that if they get wet they stain easily which is impossible to get out, even if I wipe up straight away. They also get dented and scratched easily. Having a child means that I cannot prevent every little scratch or mark and I am forever chasing after my toddler and clearing up after him and I am getting very stressed about this. The floor was in used condition when we moved in and on the inventory it is listed as being in good condition with some patchy areas and some worn patches. Obviously not ever mark or scratch was noted. I have bought some expensive cleaner for unsealed floors and I try and clean up if there is a spill but it is impossible to notice everything. I have put down mats but there is still some bare floor and there seem to be some water stains which we may or may not have caused and which I am finding impossible to remove.

We have a big deposit which when we leave we will need to be returned. The deposit is protected. I am worried that they may try and take money off to put in a brand new floor. This is literally keeping me awake at night. I didn't know the floor was unsealed as i am not a wood expert. We would not have taken the flat if we had known how fragile the floor is.

Can they charge for relaying of a brand new floor even though the floor was in not new when we moved in and there were some marks already?

poppysarah

You could get a floor expert man out and get a statement off him stating the floor should be sealed to prevent spills staining etc.

They can only charge you if it is beyond wear and tear. Which it probably isn't.

becky2011

You should probably make the LA or landlord aware of the water stain issues now and explain that you didn't cause them. It does need looking into as there could be a hidden cause for the water stains appearing.

That way you can cover yourself and also talk to them at the same time about the concerns that you have with the floor.

ariana66

becky2011 wrote: »

You should probably make the LA or landlord aware of the water stain issues now and explain that you didn't cause them. It does need looking into as there could be a hidden cause for the water stains appearing.

That way you can cover yourself and also talk to them at the same time about the concerns that you have with the floor.

Thank you for your response. The truth is i don't know if we caused the water stains. I think it's pretty silly of the LL to rent a flat without sealed floors as they are bound to get dirty and scratch easily. I asked the LA how to clean the floors and she informed me I needed to take due care that I don't damage them. The problem is you cannot wet them as they will create water marks but if you cannot wet them it is very hard to clean them and they have some dark patches which may be dirt or water. I cannot afford to spend a lot of money on professional cleaning products for them and getting people out to check them and sand them and I couldn't do that anyway as it is not my place.

If they did try and hold back money would they only be able to charge for individual pieces that are marked or would they be able to charge for the whole floor even though it wasn't new when we moved in? I don't really know what would constitute "wear and tear" on an unsealed wood floor?

sooz

ariana66 wrote: »

If they did try and hold back money would they only be able to charge for individual pieces that are marked or would they be able to charge for the whole floor even though it wasn't new when we moved in? I don't really know what would constitute "wear and tear" on an unsealed wood floor?

Stop worrying so much. You cannot be charged for a complete new floor, as it was not a new floor in the first place. Wear & Tear will be taken into account, & the age & previous condition of the floor must be considered. However, if you rented the place with a parquet floor that was used but in good condition, & return it covered in spots, they may well charge you to have it sanded & resealed.

Are you sure that it is not sealed in any way? Wood floors don't have to be varnished. They can also be waxed or oiled, & both these finishes need regular re-application. It would be a very good idea to write to the LA & the LL informing them of the problem with water marking the floor, & asking what was used to seal it, & how you should treat it.

ariana66

Thank you for your reply Sooz. It is definitely not sealed in any way. I will write to the LA to ask her about sanding/oiling/waxing. The LL lives overseas and the LA manages it but it is a new property for them.

barnaby-bear

ariana66 wrote: »

Thank you for your response. The truth is i don't know if we caused the water stains. I think it's pretty silly of the LL to rent a flat without sealed floors as they are bound to get dirty and scratch easily. I asked the LA how to clean the floors and she informed me I needed to take due care that I don't damage them. The problem is you cannot wet them as they will create water marks but if you cannot wet them it is very hard to clean them and they have some dark patches which may be dirt or water. I cannot afford to spend a lot of money on professional cleaning products for them and getting people out to check them and sand them and I couldn't do that anyway as it is not my place.

If they did try and hold back money would they only be able to charge for individual pieces that are marked or would they be able to charge for the whole floor even though it wasn't new when we moved in? I don't really know what would constitute "wear and tear" on an unsealed wood floor?

They can't charge for a new floor a new floor for an old would be betterment. Moreover they can't expect it in the same condition they have to allow fair wear and tear, people walk on floors, kids fall over on floors, people come in with wet shoes - it's a floor it should cope. http://www.arla.co.uk/infosheets/list.aspx?id=7 read the letting agents own trade body's descriptions....