Landlord overcharging for repairs?

thelem

I think the link you wanted to post is http://www.diy.com/nav/rooms/kitchens/kitchen-worktops/laminate_worktops/-specificproducttype-worktops/Laminate-Worktop-Inari-Granite-Effect-3050mm-10187797

It's worth attempting to negioate with the landlord as you may find a simple phone call clears things up. It could be an admin mixup at the EA, that there are deductions for other damage or that the quote they got wasn't competitive. Phone calls are good for quickly understanding each others point of view (because you can instantly counter any arguments), but a letter in the post shows them you're serious. Don't believe anything until you have it in writing - it can be worth following up a phone call with a letter or email to document what was discussed and agreed.

Whatever you do though be quick - you only have three months from the date you move out to register a dispute.

Davve

Yes, that's the kind of surface I was talking about.

If we've already requested the full amount back from DPS how would it work if we can't agree in 3 months?

barnaby-bear

Davve wrote: »

Hi, I'd quickly like to appologise if there is already a thread on a similar issue, I have tried searching the forum for similar issues and didn't find anything, but there are literally 100s (if not 1000s) of threads.


Me and my fiancee recently moved out of our rented house and when we asked for our deposit back we were told that as there was a small burn ring on one of the kitchen surfaces (presumably from a hot pan) we would have to wait a week or so until we got a quote for the repair.

We patiently waited for our ~£700 deposit minus a charge to arrive. It has been 2 whole months and we emailed to ask what was going on. We immediately got a response from the esate agent that the damage was not repairable and the surface would need replacing and that it was going to cost £480.

Firstly it strikes me as odd that she didn't tell us as soon as the quote was obtained (the landlord surely wants the repair asap?) and that the reply came so fast. The price is also astronomical, the surface was a cheap-as-they-come laminate topping, 3m of which you can get from B&Q for £40, so including labor I wouldn't think an entire replacement would be much more than £100, nevermind nearly £500.

I've seen that it is possible to repair far worse damage (seeing before and after pictures of much worse damage of a similar nature on a bunch of websites) which, in my opinion, is indicitive of the landlord and/or estate agent trying to take a large sum of money from us for no other reason than profit, which is especially annoying as we were very good tennants and apart from this one mistake have left the property in very good condition.

We bought super cheap worksurface £75 but fitting it is super expensive even DiY the HSS gear cost £150 before our "free" time - tbh if you wanted to avoid labour costs - you should have fixed what you broke - it actually sounds ok price wise....

gb12345

barnaby-bear wrote: »

We bought super cheap worksurface £75 but fitting it is super expensive even DiY the HSS gear cost £150 before our "free" time

Was the "HSS gear" you used gold plated? Unless the affected area involves a cut out or is curved then no specialist gear is required.

barnaby-bear wrote: »

- tbh if you wanted to avoid labour costs - you should have fixed what you broke

The landlady is unlikely to have been happy with the tenant taking her kitchen to pieces.

barnaby-bear wrote: »

- it actually sounds ok price wise....

Only if the landlady can justify it with a fully itemised estimate and the cost allows for wear and tear based on the age of the existing worktops.

tim123456789

Davve wrote: »

It's one of those grotty laminate ones, as far as I can tell similar, if not exactly the same as this:

(go to B&Q and look for "Laminate-Worktop-Inari-Granite-Effect-3050mm-10187797" as a new user I can't post links)

It's hard to gague how old it was as I imagine they can last for millions of years without showing much in the way of aging. I know that the landlady used to live in the house with her husband until they split up so I don't think it was brand new, it is possible it was new-ish though.

I don't think that the value of the worktop is material here.

If it has to be "fitted into" tiling and another worktop without damaging them, the labour cost is going to be the largest part of the bill

tim

thelem

Davve wrote: »

If we've already requested the full amount back from DPS how would it work if we can't agree in 3 months?

That's fine then - the three month deadline is to register your complaint. Just make sure you know what the process is (the scheme websites are quite good here) and chase people if you don't hear from them.

lessonlearned

There could be all sorts of hidden costs to replacing a worktop, other than the price of the worktop itself.

Labour will be the biggest cost.

What about tiling above the worktop, was it ok or some of the tiles have to be replaced.

The real biggy will be if there was an inset gas hob in the equation. If so a gas service engineer would have been required and a gas safety certificate would have to be issued.

OP you really need to see a full breakdown of the costs incurred, what the job entailed.

It may be just a joiner, maybe they had to pay a gas service engineer. That is where the costs will stack up. You need to dig a little deeper.