First time tenants worried about bond.

ollyhtafc

Hi, me and my partner are first time tenants just finishing our contract and ready to move out, our problem is:
Behing the cooker there is no splashback, and oil has splashed onto the painted wall and left grease/oil splash stains on the wall, when we try remove them it just rubs a little bit of paint off too.

In all of your opinions, will the letting agency be likely to charge us for re-painting or is this reasonable wear and tear? I don't see what we could have done to avoid splashing oil on the wall if there is no splashback.

I have read that if we try re-paint the oil will just leak through (plus we dont know the exact shade of the wall) and we are do not know how to remove the stains.
Thank you for your help.

m_13

You are probably best using a degreaser to clean the worst of the grease off. It will melt it away instead of scrubbing it off. However, make sure it doesn't take off more paint.

I don't think anybody can expect the wall behind a hob to be grease free. What condition was it in when you moved in? Was it freshly painted?

tbs624

I'd agree with you that if the LL failed to provide some form of splashback, or to use a specific kitchen paint that is washable, then they shouldn't have much cause for complaint, unless you have a festering build up of grease from the duration of your tenancy. However, you can use a sealant of the type that is used to cover graffiti etc (from any decent hardware store or the DIY sheds) and then re-emulsion if it's a bog standard white or magnolia......job's a good 'un

ollyhtafc

Thanks for the replies. The apartment was brand new when we moved in.

Trouble is, the wall is a 'porous' wall that seems to absorb anything we put onto it, I.E water or stain remover, and when we tried to use a magic stain remover sponge thingy it just scrubbed the paint off the wall.

Again thanks for your time!

tbs624

olly - the sealant that I mentioned is *designed* for use on porous walls and leaves a white base on which to paint. It comes in spray and standard paint tin form.That big orange and grey themed DIY place sells it.

Geenie

I think if a place has been let with no suitable surface behind a cooking area to clean, then the LL's have to accept the consequences. To not tile or provide some sort of hard wearing splash back shows that it was a bodged job, designed to look good but with no substance to real living.

I have painted walls in my kitchen, and no tiling etc as it didn't suit the style I was going for. But it is 3 coats of gloss paint, and I can scrub it down with a brillo pad and still have the finish intact every time.

I would contest any action to make you pay for this OP, though in hind sight, don't get caught up in the bling of a place, and look at the practicalties of living before signing on the dotted line in future, whether renting or buying.

missymugwump

I would bring it to the attention of your landlord
Make it clear that it is a matter that he may of overlooked as its new and not rented before
Ask him to tile it

Nothing to lose
Plus when you leave you can prove you complained in writing that it was a design issue not misuse

ollyhtafc

Thanks for your help everyone.
So all i need to do now is match up the colour of the paint on the walls, add some of that anti-grease paint stuff and paint over it...that's if there are any problems. I dont fancy painting over it for the sake of it as the wall is about 12 foot high and equally as wide:mad:

clutton_2

talk to your landlord

ollyhtafc

We deal with a letting agency rather than a landlord which is a little difficult, but anyway,

I have rang them and they said it is a common problem and they charge to repaint it if we leave it. Surely if it happens in every apartment thats reasonable wear and tear?

They advised me the exact paint i should buy to do it myself

m_13

I know the horse has bolted but if you have this problem again you can buy tempered glass chopping boards that are heat resistant. If you prop one at the back of the hob and lean it against the wall it will catch most of the splatters. You can also get grease guards for pans which cover them up and catch the spatter.