Damage caused on moving out - WWYD?

olias

As per the title, what would you do in this situation...?

I own a town house - narrow staircases and living accommodation on the first floor upwards (ground is garage and utility etc).
It is a new build, and as is usually the case with these, the staircase is really narrow and the landings tiny. On moving in (even using proffessional movers), It was impossible not to badly scuff and scrape the walls taking up large items such as sofas, beds, wradrobes etc. In fact the damage was so bad I had to completely repaint the stairwell.

Obviously the same is likely to happen on moving out (not selling yet, but will be in spring). My question is, how would you tackle this bearing mind we would have exchanged contracts by the time the new owners move in and see the damage? They would also be likely to cause similar damage when they move their furniture in.

Just curious as to what peoples thoughts are as to how to handle this.

Olias

jackomdj

Personally if it was just some scuffs I would make sure I had some same colour paint and either touch up on moving out or if the new people are moving in immediately (ie within an hour or so of you moving out) leave them the paint and a bottle of wine (ie you would not want the wet paint to damage their stuff)

ognum

All you can do is apologise and repair yourself or offer cost of repair!

ognum

if you know it's going to happen could you cover the wall with cardboard sheeting or cloths to prevent too much damage?

princeofpounds

if you know it's going to happen could you cover the wall with cardboard sheeting or cloths to prevent too much damage?

This. tape up some blankets or cardboard. Then you only have to repaint the strip that was taped. If you are lucky, you will have somewhere you can clamp covers to instead of painting.

By the way, good on you to be considerate like this.

olias

Thanks all - we did try the trick with card/sheets etc when we moved in (or rather the delivery men did), unfortunately it didn't work. It really was so tight that the card etc just got pulled off. I have never known such a thin staircase with such tight corners! It really was a nightmare. I think I'll just have to leave a 'decorating pack' - ie correct paint, brushes, roller, polyfilla etc (and a bottle of wine!). Should only cost about £30. I'm worried that if they either chase me through solicitors for the cost of a decorator, it may cost a few hundred - I think legally they may be able to as it is technically damage caused by me between exchange and completion. At least with leaving a decorating pack, it may appease them and they'll realise we did try.

I know people might think I'm worrying over nothing, but it really did make a he11 of a mess when we moved in, not just a few scuffs, but gouges and deep marks all the way up, and it kind of took the shine off moving in and was really annoying (and no, we don't have enormous furniture, just your average three piece suite, beds and wradrobes/cabinets etc.)

Olias

bryanb

Talk to the buyer in advance and come to a mutual agreement.

taxiphil

olias wrote: »

At least with leaving a decorating pack, it may appease them and they'll realise we did try.

I know you're trying to be considerate, but giving them a decorating pack could be construed as an admission of liability that you're responsible for putting right the damage, and in theory they could become arsey and say they want professional labour costs for remedial works.

Slinky

bryanb wrote: »

Talk to the buyer in advance and come to a mutual agreement.

I'd agree with this. Tell them you'll do your utmost to minimise the damage (just so they don't think you've covered yourself by telling them so don't care how bad it is) and that you'll leave them all the matching paint etc.

ognum

can you take out an upstairs window and move the stuff out that way?

olias

In theory, yes, but ut would cost far, far more than to repaint a wall.

Olias