oiled worktops

Itismehonest

Davesnave wrote: »

Landlord should get down to bacteria level and see how much they like them!:eek:

"If it won't take a good bleaching, it's nowt but a germ trap!" as my Auntie Edna used to say....

Actually, Dave. It was proved that bacteria survive less long on wood than plastic - particularly if the plastic surface has been damaged by cutting as the bacteria in the cuts is much harder to clean whereas wood's natural defence keeps the bacteria level down.

Back on topic.

Unless it has been specifically agreed with a tenant then, no, a LL can't really expect them to oil surfaces - even though it's as easy to do as wiping a worktop clean.
As someone else pointed out, it is highly likely that a new tenant may never have come across oiled wood before & have no idea how to keep it clean & fresh.
In fact, I'd be surprised if any LL put oiled wood into a rental so I'm guessing that this could be an inexperienced LL?

tbs624

Itismehonest wrote: »

In fact, I'd be surprised if any LL put oiled wood into a rental so I'm guessing that this could be an inexperienced LL?

Agreed - probably one letting out what was originally her own home

PasturesNew

victorias_dad wrote: »

Would you expect your tennants to oil your solid oak worktops on a regular basis? I have just replaced some worktops for a landlord and i get the impresion that she is going to persue the ex tennants for the cost of replacing them

My answer has to be: "You what? Do what? You're having a laugh". "What? Wood? Oak? What's that all about then?" "Oil them? Eh? Why? I've never heard of that/never done that".

So NO. I'd not be doing it.

G_M

If you are letting out a top-end property, requiring regular/specialist cleaning/maintenance, then the sensible solution is to provide a cleaning service.

But IF you really expect the tenant to oil the worktops (one wonders what else the tenit is expected to do in this property?), then that should be included in a clause in the tenancy agreement AND, I'd suggest, included in the 'tonant information folder' that goes with the property.

Davesnave

Itismehonest wrote: »

Actually, Dave. It was proved that bacteria survive less long on wood than plastic - particularly if the plastic surface has been damaged by cutting as the bacteria in the cuts is much harder to clean whereas wood's natural defence keeps the bacteria level down.

Trust you!

Nope, I'll stick with me bleach.

First thing to go in our kitchen is that wooden drainer & the Belfast sink. (I think I've cracked the "genuine Shanklin Rd" joke before. )

marliepanda

If I was asked to do it, and was instructed how to do it, and honestly, if she provided me with the tools and oil to do it, I would of course do it. I love wooden worktops, have had them in my old home, though just a drainer, and would happily maintain then.

I wouldnt necessarily be happy to pay for the oil etc, but if the landlord left me with a good stash I would happily maintain her worktop!

abankerbutnotafatcat

Ok, so wooden worktops aren't ideal for rental properties due to the inherent maintenance issues; it does sound like it was the LL's former residence. That said, a slightly different perspective: this forum is full of threads where the advice is that it is the tenant's home for the period of their tenancy and as such they are entitled to fully enjoy it and that it's a shame that in the country unlike in some European countries, renting is seen as a sort of inferior mode of living and tenants enjoy less rights etc.

Seems to me the tenant moved in knowing there were wooden worksurfaces and as such they should maintain their home including cleaning. Of course, properly informing them (including in writing) with regard to things like this can only help in this regard.

I had tenants who poured hot cooking fat down a drain. It then solidified and built up over a period of time and led to flooding. An emergency rodding company was called at considerable cost. I paid but advised the tenants what had caused the problem and that they would be responsible for any further costs deriving from this. I now specify it in the lease "do not pour fat down the drain". Of course, to most of us that would be obvious...

Strapped

abankerbutnotafatcat wrote: »

Ok, so wooden worktops aren't ideal for rental properties due to the inherent maintenance issues; it does sound like it was the LL's former residence. That said, a slightly different perspective: this forum is full of threads where the advice is that it is the tenant's home for the period of their tenancy and as such they are entitled to fully enjoy it and that it's a shame that in the country unlike in some European countries, renting is seen as a sort of inferior mode of living and tenants enjoy less rights etc.

Seems to me the tenant moved in knowing there were wooden worksurfaces and as such they should maintain their home including cleaning. Of course, properly informing them (including in writing) with regard to things like this can only help in this regard.

I had tenants who poured hot cooking fat down a drain. It then solidified and built up over a period of time and led to flooding. An emergency rodding company was called at considerable cost. I paid but advised the tenants what had caused the problem and that they would be responsible for any further costs deriving from this. I now specify it in the lease "do not pour fat down the drain". Of course, to most of us that would be obvious...

For future ref you can also get little sachets of enzymes that break down fat (because I'd lay money on future tenants still tipping the odd chip pan full down the drain). If you chuck one of those down every so often it helps keep things clear.

abankerbutnotafatcat

Strapped wrote: »

For future ref you can also get little sachets of enzymes that break down fat (because I'd lay money on future tenants still tipping the odd chip pan full down the drain). If you chuck one of those down every so often it helps keep things clear.

Two weeks after my current tenants moved in they reported flooding. I went over with a plunger (one of those designed for a toilet) and that cleared it. I left them with the plunger in case it happened again. Then, once the water was gone got down on my hands and knees and using copious quantities of kitchen roll and kitchen cleaner removed all the built-up fat, basically lard (and with me a vegetarian haha!!) and I thought 'who said being a landlord was glamorous??" [possibly no one did ever say this but it's what I was thinking with my hands down a drain covered in lard!!!] My tenants are three strapping young antipodeans so all 5ft of me coming round to unblock their drain seems a bit a bit ironic but they are not very practically minded.

As I said, it's now in the contract (and these tenants know that it was cleaned at the start of their tenancy). Thanks for the tip, I'll look out for it.

Itismehonest

Davesnave wrote: »

Trust you!

Nope, I'll stick with me bleach.

First thing to go in our kitchen is that wooden drainer & the Belfast sink. (I think I've cracked the "genuine Shanklin Rd" joke before. )

:rotfl:
If it's one of the old "washboard" type drainers then you can bleach it, anyway. A good scrub with a scrubbing brush was the old method as in "doing a Ruby" (remember Upstairs Downstairs?)