Small hole drilled for in worktop for plumbing; is it likely to affect the deposit?

budgetdiyer

A 5cm hole?! Did you run a drain pipe through it?!

I would expect you to replace the worktop (or the damaged section if a match can be found, and there is a suitable existing join.), its not like the damage was accidental or fair wear and tear!

hardworking_mummy

martinsurrey wrote: »

if he tries to take a lot of cash for a replacement you can take him the tenancy deposit adjudication service.

they will look at the age of the item and the usual useful life of an item such as that and only make you pay for the element that you have infact "damaged".

In this case, it sounds like the top was in need of replacement and was reaching the end of its life, as such you will have to contribute a small percentage of the cost of replacement.

Make sure you take plenty of photo's not only of what you've done, but of the general condition of the top, it will help your case if it gets that far

Not necessarily. In the DPS the landlord is under no obligation to go to arbitration. They may opt to go to small claims instead depending on the strength of their evidence - which in this case would be do they have an inventory that lists a 5cm dia hole in a worktop. If not then I would say you have more than a fair chance of losing and being forced to pay court costs too. I would apologise for not getting permission and offer to make good by replacing the section of worktop. He may accept or he may choose to get his own tradesman in to do this and recharge you.

tbs624

That the original condition of the worktop/units may have been poor at tenancy start does not mean that a T is simply able to drill random holes in the worktop without the LL's prior written agreement. Any T who is foolish enough to do this ( or agree to his dad doing it on his behalf) has to accept that there may well be a claim by the LL against the tenancy deposit. LL will neeed to rely on good clear inventory( jointly signed as a correct record) from tenancy start.

Read up on betterment/apportionment etc via the tenancy deposit websites - all 3 have had input to a couple of useful guides

thebull

Do what most females do and blame your dad and let him sort it out after all he said it would be OK.
I know that's what my daughter would do

hardworking_mummy

robatwork wrote: »

Or come at this from another angle....Drill some more 5mm holes...wire in some LED lights from underneath....all sealed perfectly of course and all in glass that can withstand extremely high temps and shocks.

Everyone's maybe happy.

Or not! Kitchen work surfaces are there to be serviceable and hygienic - not a bodged up DIY focal point. If a tenant did that in one of my properties they would be also incurring the cost of an electrician to remove them and check the wiring in the kitchen was still ok. I would have taken the table top dishwasher back and handwashed for the remainder of my tenancy agreement. If the kitchen is as shabby as the OP states then I am sure they wouldn't be looking to stay long term. Tenant keeps all their deposit. Landlord gets his kitchen back in the same tatty condition as he let it. Everyone's happy!

anselld

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Whilst there will be no harm in your offering your father's services, you cannot force the LL to accept his work.

The LL can use whosoever he wishes.

If the father makes good before the end of tenancy to as good or better standard than start of tenancy then the LL has no choice as there is no claim to be made.

Yorkie1

anselld wrote: »

If the father makes good before the end of tenancy to as good or better standard than start of tenancy then the LL has no choice as there is no claim to be made.

Yes, I agree; I should have made clear I meant after the end of the tenancy. As you say, if the damage is 'undone' prior to the end of the tenancy so as the place is left in no worse condition then the OP can get her dad to do it.

girl_withno_name

cwcw wrote: »

If I were in your situation, personally I'd keep schtum, cover the hole with a coffee jar or something when you get inspected, and then get your dad to put a like for like replacement worktop in before you leave, such that nobody would notice.

It sounds like there's one of these one top / nearby... which I guess you could hide and replace with a coffee jar for every inspection, but it might be easier to just fess up
http://content.aolstatic.net/ProductImages/rvLarge/ZSF2450S_SI_Dishwasher_RO_AR_L.jpg

theartfullodger

Smedders11 wrote: »

Why? Because my dad's a credible and highly experiences tradesman who's ..............

..........

.. decided drilling a hole in an otherwise OK worktop that wasn't his or yours was a good idea??

credible & experienced in what, pray, on that basis??

Nothing against your esteemed father, I'd make the same point if it were Mr Chippy from "Windsor joinery Ltd"...

Cheers!!

GDB2222

anselld wrote: »

15 years old with 15 to go is still a 50% reduction.

If it was a good qualityworktop I would tend to agree, but the cheap ones definately wear out and it sounds like that is what the OP has described.

As for difficulty, depends if it has a sink or hob in it but even so it is not that difficult!

Yes, I assumed that it would have the sink in it, because that is where all the pipe-work tends to be. But it was only an assumption.