oiled worktops

hawk30

My last landlords had a floor that had to be washed with special stuff, so they gave us the bottle and instructions on how to use it. Otherwise it would have been bleach and goodness knows what it would have done to their floor. I have to say it didn't clean very well and I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor at the end of the lease. Thank god for home ownership!

tbs624

abankerbutnotafatcat wrote: »

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Seems to me the tenant moved in knowing there were wooden worksurfaces and as such they should maintain their home including cleaning.

The OP does not say that the T failed to clean the worktops -s/he suggests that they didn't oil them but does not say whether the LL had formally pre-advised the Ts that this maintenance would be necessary.

After the initial few weeks aftert installation, maintenance oiling is usually only required once every 3 to 6 months and LL could of course check out the condition of the worktops during routine property inspections.

abankerbutnotafatcat wrote: »

. 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...

Generous of you to pay up in those circumstances - you'll be aware that you have a stat obligation as LL to see to drains, except where Ts have clearly claused the obstruction via their own acts/omissions.

You could get your Ts one of these - here , here ( or via your own water company) or here and perhaps consider having a small printed "no fat" notice made to permanently attach to the wall above the drain.

LLs often choose to provide a Tenant Folder which flags up specific issues, as well as providing instruction booklets on appliances, heating system etc.

Fuzzyness

i lived in a house (as a tenant) which had a wooden drainer around the sink. we were asked by the EA to oil it when we moved in and i guess we did it three times over the three years we were in the property. even sandpapered it and all to try and get rid some of the water stains that had arisen. it was a bit of a pain and i'm glad the house i rent out doesnt require my tenant to do it.

i'd also not think about making tenant replace it if he hadnt looked after it.