Rentals and Appliances

[Deleted User]

Hi folks, hope you can help.

I'm moving house, after being here nearly two-and-a-half years. Now that I've removed my furniture, I can see that a storage heater has deposited soot all over the walls. I had noticed marks just above it recently, but was just going to sponge these off and tell the letting agent about the problem when giving my keys back. Figured no point, I'm leaving soon anyway.

But now everything's gone, I can see how bad it was. It's clearly the heater, as the marks follow a very obvious convection current. I've told them, and have said I'm not painting the walls or paying for it, as it's not my fault.

Worried though. Are they supposed to carry out checks on electrical items regularly? There hasn't been one in all the time I've been here.

anselld

There is no requirement to carry out formal electrical tests, though it is LL responsibility to ensure all electrical equipment is safe.

You do get those sort of marks, even from central heating rads over a long period of time. I think it is just dirt accumulation from the convecting air.

If it is just dirt you should probably have cleaned it (no different to wiping a skirting etc). However, if the paint/ paper has permanently discoloured I would agree that it shoudld be covered by fair wear and tear.

[Deleted User]

Hmm, I've just never seen this before. And I used the heater much less this winter than the last, during which no marks were made at all.

Any other input on this folks?

Brallaqueen

if the smoke damage is not washable -offable I would disagree that the black is fair wear and tear - esp if the furniture in front of the storage heater contributed to the problem.

A faulty storage heater blackening the walls would be a good reason to ring the LL to investigate, but leaving it so long IMHO takes it into the realms of damage as it could have been looked into and sorted well before this damage was done.

[Deleted User]

I've had a go at cleaning it off but it's quite tough and I just seem to be smearing it, or if I press harder, the paint comes off.

There wasn't any furniture in front of the heater, or indeed anywhere near it. I only noticed very recently that something was wrong, as the evidence only recently presented itself. I'm talking a few weeks, no more than a month. It hasn't been the whole tenancy it's been like this!

The extent of the damage was only clear when removing all my stuff this week, as I can now see the outlines. If I put it all back, it wouldn't be very obvious at all, other than right above the heater itself.

[Deleted User]

Hmm. I've been told recently that the light in the bathroom is illegal. It's just like what you'd find in a normal room. And the place didn't come with a smoke detector or fire alarm. If the letting agent docks my deposit, can I use this against them? I need that money back!

anselld

Power_Kitten wrote: »

Hmm. I've been told recently that the light in the bathroom is illegal. It's just like what you'd find in a normal room. And the place didn't come with a smoke detector or fire alarm. If the letting agent docks my deposit, can I use this against them? I need that money back!

The LL can deduct from the deposit for damage (less fair wear and tear).

The LL must prove damage, eg by comparing check-in / check-out inventory.

Anything else is irrelevant (including the fact that you need the money).

Brallaqueen

Smoke detectors and fire alarms are not a requirement unless it is a House of Multiple occupation (5 + unrelated people, 3 floors). The light might be illegal but I'd say now you have moved out it is too late to do anything. I assume it has not caused you harm in any way?

Apologies if I misread your post - "Now that I've removed my furniture, I can see that a storage heater has deposited soot all over the walls" made me think that furniture was hiding the heater itself. I'd still say that not reporting it as soon as you noticed the soot (you say 'a few weeks, no more than a month') will not be in your favour as this time will have contributed to the damage.

However it is all speculation until you have the final checkout and the deposit is/is not disputed.

Did you sign an inventory 2.5 years ago? Had the property been recently renovated/redecorated at that point? If the LL has no record of the state of the property when you moved in (schedule of condition, inventory or catalogue of receipts for work done) they will have difficulty claiming anything against you.

Yorkie1

anselld wrote: »

There is no requirement to carry out formal electrical tests, though it is LL responsibility to ensure all electrical equipment is safe.

You do get those sort of marks, even from central heating rads over a long period of time. I think it is just dirt accumulation from the convecting air.

If it is just dirt you should probably have cleaned it (no different to wiping a skirting etc). However, if the paint/ paper has permanently discoloured I would agree that it shoudld be covered by fair wear and tear.

I agree with anselld.

The marks on the wall have not been caused by T's actions or inactions. They result from simple laws of thermodynamics / physics, i.e. convection and dirt accumulation. The marks are not easily cleanable but do not fall under disrepair which would devalue the property.

If a LL tried to deduct this from my deposit I'd be disputing it pronto. It should be fair wear and tear.

moromir

Just another view but the fact that you didn't see the scorching until you moved furniture suggests to me that you may have had furniture up against these heaters - something that should never be done as it forces the heat 'up' through the top of the heater as the furniture against the heater 'insulates' the front panel from dissapating the heat which can cause/increase the scorch marks.

SavvyStudentSaver

Whose heater is it? I'd imagine if it were your heater, and you put it there, then the LL may have a claim IMHO.