Landlord deposite

on_the_edge41

I'm a Landlord and my last tenants' left my property in a mess at Christmas. The flat screen TV did not work, they broke a window the bathroom sink had 2 cracks and the stereo cassette mechanism broken. They did not clean the oven for 12 months or clean the bath from everyday showering. The
inside toilet was brown. They claim everyone's standards are different. I would like to know were I stand with regards to normal wear and tear and giving them there deposit back. I want to be fair and would like to know legally were I stand and how to resolve this.:(

DVardysShadow

As it is so long after Christmas, is it wrong to assume that you have not protected the deposit in a deposit protection scheme?

G_M

Are you in Eng/Wales, or Scotland? (different laws, and no deposit schemes in Scotland).

How come it's taken so long?

Do you have a detailed check-in inventory (with photos?) describing the condition when the tenant moved in? (If not they could claim it was like that to start with)

Assuming the best of all the above, the tenant has a duty to leave the place as they found it (less wear and tear). Breakages/damage is not wear and tear. Get written quotes from contractors for the repairs. Dirt (eg oven) is not wear and tear. If the oven was clean at the start (provably!) then it should be clean at the end. Get writen quotes/invoices from cleaning company.

on_the_edge41

DVardysShadow wrote: »

As it is so long after Christmas, is it wrong to assume that you have not protected the deposit in a deposit protection scheme?

No I have not protected it - but it is held in a separate account which I have proved to the Tennant.
We have been texting and I've been trying to get the TV and sink fixed but he disagrees with the deductions for the above and the cleaning.

Geenie

The stereo cassette sounds like something I had in my Ford Capri in the early 80's, and now would bin along with my video player as worth nothing!!:(

OP, did you do a full inventory when the tenants took over the place? It is important to do this and state the condition when letting. Take photographs to include in the inventory and for tenants to sign.

If they have left it in such a bad state, take pictures and deduct the charges for cleaning from the deposit.....which I assume you have in a recognised scheme. A dirty oven and brown toilet is in my books fair to charge for......but within reason and factoring in the wear and tear you must expect when letting.
Nothing will be the same a year later after wear and tear in the real world. Not any house, car, sofa or you and I.
Factor that into your costs.

lynzpower

How old was the cassette player?I didnt think they even made them any more- can see this being worth pence if that. Why would you provide this stuff?

Are you an amateur landlord? I cant understand why you did not protect the tenants deposit, have you not heard of the3x deposit rule?


Words just fail me. they really do!

lynzpower

Geenie he hasnt protected the deposit in a scheme!

G_M

on_the_edge41 wrote: »

No I have not protected it - but it is held in a separate account which I have proved to the Tennant.
.

Are you in Eng/Wales, or Scotland? (different laws, and no deposit schemes in Scotland).

If Eng/Wales- you're stuffed!

on_the_edge41

G_M wrote: »

Are you in Eng/Wales, or Scotland? (different laws, and no deposit schemes in Scotland).

How come it's taken so long?

Do you have a detailed check-in inventory (with photos?) describing the condition when the tenant moved in? (If not they could claim it was like that to start with)

Assuming the best of all the above, the tenant has a duty to leave the place as they found it (less wear and tear). Breakages/damage is not wear and tear. Get written quotes from contractors for the repairs. Dirt (eg oven) is not wear and tear. If the oven was clean at the start (provably!) then it should be clean at the end. Get writen quotes/invoices from cleaning company.

I am in London I do have pictures before and after he did agree with the damage that was left for the sink and the TV. I've now got quotes and invoice for most of the things fixed but he disagrees with the deductions.

G_M

Best you an do is reach an agreement. If you don't, and the tenant takes you to court, they'll take a very dim view of your cavalier attitude towards tenancy law.

on_the_edge41

Can I just say that the Stereo is CD Player Radio all combined ? No I never heard of the
3 X deposited rule either - enlighten me please. I do have photos of before and after ?