Deposit Dispute - I'm a tenant, do I have a right to dispute this...?

LuciusC11

Thanks everyone for your responses. Regarding the original inventory - I don't have a copy (probably misplaced). I'm sure landlord will have, but I'm quite sure it won't mention the quality of the carpets - other than they are brand new and in good condition.

Sorry to go on, but can anyone advise to the painting and carpet cleaning upstairs? Claim for excessive work carried out?

LuciusC11

Thanks pinkshoes.

Not what I wanted to hear regarding the painting and carpet cleaning

ajk_2

LuciusC11 wrote: »

Hi All.

I have recently checked out of my house. It was a new build, but we lived there for two years. Here is the landlords summary of the damage:

Two bedrooms upstairs - both rooms had a black mark the size a 10pence piece on the carpets. I could have scraped them up with a knife and sponge. Landlord has charged me £60 to get both carpets professionally cleaned - by carpet I mean the entire thing, on areas that didn't need it, yet I have been charged for the entire clean of both carpets. Can I claim that this is far too excessive, and that the landlord is just cleaning the carpets courtesy of me?

Scratches on living room paint, a couple of other patches in the living room that need a touch a paint, and the wall in the corner of the kitchen needs repainting. Landlord has charged for the entire repainting of both rooms, claiming that there will be a colour imbalance if the walls are just patched. I dispute this because I believe the colours merge once it has dried. Firstly, can I claim that this work is too excessive, and that the landlord is just getting his house redecorated on my expense? Secondly, must he have to back up his claim about needing to repaint the entire room with scientific evidence? I'm trying to be really picky, but it's quite a statement that surely needs backing up?

Living room carpet - failed to remove a stain after having it professionally cleaned (which I agreed was necessary), as a result, the entire carpet has been ripped up and replaced. Again, this is at my expense, and as you guessed, this was expensive, and infact I now OWE him money because he has used up all of my deposit. I particularly need to know if I have a chance of reclaiming my money here - yes, I agree there was a stain, and yes I agree that it probably didn't come out. However, the carpet cleaner said that it was dog urine, and it will not come out. Firstly, must the landlord be able to prove this claim? Secondly, I have read that an item can be expected to be replaced if it is damaged where it can no longer function for its intended use. This obviously isn't the case, the stain is the size of a dinner plate - please, if I have any rights here, or if there is anything I can say in my statement to DPS to put pressure on the landlord, I'd really need the advice.

that it is irrelevant. Am I wrong here?

Kind regards

I'm no expert in letting property but if the stain in both bedrooms could have been lifted with a knife and sponge, i would have done this before checking out.

As for the stain the size of a dinner plate which cannot be removed, what do you expect the landlord to do other than charge you for replacement.

LuciusC11

On a side note, the price the landlord is charging for replacing the carpet includes everything - including labour. He is not disclosing the actual amount being charged for this carpet. Regarding this 60% issue - are we talking 60% of the cost of JUST the carpet, or of the entire bill he is given, including labour? I think I know the answer, but need it confirmed...

girleight@

For the livingroom paint work decor is supposed to last 4 years in a lounge so you should only have to pay half.
http://www.chrisulph.co.uk/blog/2011/01/23/tenancy-deposit-deductions-and-apportionment-case-studies/#1

LuciusC11

Great resource girleight, thanls