Leaving Rented Appartment...Advice on wear and tear

Littlemadam83

Hi guys,

This is a question, just so we can be prepared as we are in the process of getting a mortgage.

Now my questions are, we have been living here for nearly 6 years, and there are a few things I am not sure what to do:

1) Our carpet in the living room has 2 issues. One is an iron burn (blame my husband!) and the second is where our washing machine broke down it has torn across the entrance to the kitchen. We made LL aware and he came to look and could not find a fault with the machine! We ended up getting another one from freecycle, but the damage is already done. Do we need to replace the carpet considering these two factors? Washing machine was originally in the property.

2) Same as above, the lino in the kitchen probably needs replacing, is this down to us?

3) We replaced the bath panel (from grey to white as we could not find grey) is this going to be a problem?

4) What is the law regarding wear and tear and the worth of the items? So if we need to get a new carpet, or pay the LL what percentage should we be looking at or is it the full amount?

Thanks guys xxxxx

G_M

Littlemadam83 wrote: »

Hi guys,

This is a question, just so we can be prepared as we are in the process of getting a mortgage.

Now my questions are, we have been living here for nearly 6 years, and there are a few things I am not sure what to do:

1) Our carpet in the living room has 2 issues. One is an iron burn (blame my husband!)damage - not wear & tear and the second is where our washing machine broke down it has torndone by who? You/husband or LL when he checked washing machine? If you, it's damage across the entrance to the kitchen. We made LL aware and he came to look and could not find a fault with the machine! We ended up getting another one from freecycle, but the damage is already done. Do we need to replace the carpet considering these two factors? Washing machine was originally in the property. LL cannot expect 'betterment'. Carpet is 6 years old so a brand new one would be 'betterment'. Maybe 50% of cost of new?

2) Same as above, the lino in the kitchen probably needs replacing Why? Damaged or just old (wear and tear)?, is this down to us?

3) We replaced the bath panel (from grey to white as we could not find grey) is this going to be a problem?Presumably you got written permission from the LL, so no. If you didn't.......

4) What is the law regarding wear and tear and the worth of the items? So if we need to get a new carpet, or pay the LL what percentage should we be looking at or is it the full amount?

Thanks guys xxxxx

See notes above.

tbs624

Agree with G_M but with the following comments on these parts

Carpet is 6 years old

and

Maybe 50% of cost of new?

OP says that they(the Ts) have been in the property 6 years, this does not necessarily mean that the *carpet* is 6 years old. Even if it the carpet was 6 years old,the quality and cost of the carpet would need to be taken into a/c and there are many rental carpets that would probably have a max lifespan of 10 years, so I reckon a charge to the T of 50% of the cost would be pushing it.

Am however stunned by the number of Ts who manage to put an iron burn in their Lls carpet. It's so much cheaper to buy yourself an ironing board....

Op - google mydeposits and Landlords Guide to Fair Wear an Tear. ARLA site also has a guide to dilapidations

mrwurzal

Littlemadam83 wrote: »

Hi guys,

This is a question, just so we can be prepared as we are in the process of getting a mortgage.

Now my questions are, we have been living here for nearly 6 years, and there are a few things I am not sure what to do:

1) Our carpet in the living room has 2 issues. One is an iron burn (blame my husband!) and the second is where our washing machine broke down it has torn across the entrance to the kitchen. We made LL aware and he came to look and could not find a fault with the machine! We ended up getting another one from freecycle, but the damage is already done. Do we need to replace the carpet considering these two factors? Washing machine was originally in the property.

2) Same as above, the lino in the kitchen probably needs replacing, is this down to us?

3) We replaced the bath panel (from grey to white as we could not find grey) is this going to be a problem?

4) What is the law regarding wear and tear and the worth of the items? So if we need to get a new carpet, or pay the LL what percentage should we be looking at or is it the full amount?

Thanks guys xxxxx

I would say that the iron burn would be your fault, and would incur a charge (from your deposit) What have the agents said about this when they done their routine inspections? Has it been noted?? why not ask the agents as this may give you a better idea...

As for the Washing Machine... if it was a fault on the machine then that is down to the agent to speak with the LL if the LL asks about the iron damage then you could face a small charge from your deposit but I would just ask the agent their advice or go to citizens advice...

G_M

mrwurzal wrote: »

As for the Washing Machine... if it was a fault on the machine then that is down to the agent to speak with the LL if the LL asks about the iron damage then you could face a small charge from your deposit but I would just ask the agent their advice or go to citizens advice...

???
OP was not asking about the washing machine (as I understood it) but explaining how the machine damaged the carpet whilst being replaced (though unclear WHO was moving it.)

Littlemadam83

Hi guys thanks for your responses.

I am trying to download the PDF file for wear and tear, so thank you for that.

Also the 50% ball part figure is helpful, on a 15ms room it will be about £300 full price, so half of that helps.

As for your question GM the carpet kind of fell apart after it got wet from the washing machine flooding the kitchen and seeped into the living room, and us walking on it, I dont know how, but it was nothing we did as such.

We didnt ask the LL's permission on changing the bath thing, I didnt think to ask, just knew we had to replace it and grey wasnt available.

He's only been in a few times since we have lived here and only had to call him out a few times and never paid late, so never really had to speak to him, although maybe we should have over the bath side.

xxx

Accountant_Kerry

i doubt he will dock you much at all, i left a rental property with an accidental cigarette burn in the carpet, was charged £50.