Help regarding leaving a rental property

mightyroyals

Hi

Just looking for some advice we have been in the same rental property for 4 years now and have just handed our notice in as we have found a new rental property that suits us better.
Today we got a phone call from the landlord telling us that the carpets need to be spotless even though these were already in and messy when we moved in and looks as if they had been in some years and that we need to decorate the whole house in magnolia before we leave.
Now my question is where do i stand with this as we were told we could decorate and do what we want to the property and like i said the carpets we horrendous when we moved in and they will be cleaned before we go but there still will be marks on them.
We never paid a deposit when we moved in either. Just looking for some advice on the above and also we asked them to come inspect the house on our last day of tenancy but they have told us they will come when they want and will just turn up can they do this?

Thanks in advance

marliepanda

If you didnt pay a deposit, did you get a dual signed inventory? If theres no inventory then he cannot keep back any money or sue you for any money. To be honest without a deposit given I think he has NO chance of getting what he wants to be honest! However, if there is an inventory...

As regards to the carpet, what does the inventory say about the state of the carpets. You have to leave them in the same state minus 4 years wear and tear which can vary depending on the quality of the carpet He certainly cannot demand a brand new carpet, but a dirty carpet isnt the same as wear and tear (pile squashing, wear, furniture marks etc) However if the inventory states mucky carpets, then thats what he can expect.

Decorating is a bit tougher as you really should return it to the colour it was when you moved in if you have decorated to your own taste. However, again you have four years wear and tear on that so technically he cannot charge you for a full decoration, but you did change the decor so he may have a point there. Again what did inventory say regarding walls?

Edit to add: no they cannot just turn up when they want. I just read that bit. I'd be leaving the carpet and and the walls as is as you have no deposit to lose and I'd be very surprised if a court ordered money to be paid to paint and clean carpets on a 4 yr old property. Inventory is key though I suppose to tie up loose ends? Is there one?

thesaint

I would write to the landlord(keep a copy) and tell him that the carpets will be left in the same condition as when you moved in, less wear and tear.

Tell him that they were dirty when you moved in 4 years ago, and so you will not be getting them cleaned, but you will hoover them.

Did you have written permission to decorate?
Do you have an inventory for when you moved in?

What does your tenancy agreement state about the landlord turning up to view the property?

Fire_Fox

You are responsible for handing over the place as clean or cleaner than when you moved in, any accidental damage is chargeable to you (considering age of item), you do not have to pay anything for wear and tear (faded paint, threadbare carpet). Sugar soap is excellent for cleaning paintwork, even old stuff comes up well. If you changed the colours of the walls away from neutral the landlord can insist they are returned to the original shades. Is there any written evidence you changed the colour, inventory, letters or e-mails seeking permission?

Agree write to the landlord confirming what was said by telephone: you will be leaving the carpets and paintwork as cleaner than when you took occupation but with fair wear and tear for the four years you have lived there, noting that they were in poor condition when you moved in. Also that you would like to be present at the check out and can he confirm when that will be. Send recorded delivery OR two copies from different Post Offices with proof of posting each time, keep a copy AND the receipts.

Do take photographs of everything before you leave, with a current newspaper (The Sun headlines say) in some of the shots. If there is no check in inventory, no damage deposit and the landlord does not permit you to be present at check out good luck to him in court, any case would be thrown out.

mightyroyals

Hi

Thanks for the replies, with regards to decorating this was verbal from the landlord.
There is no inventory as far as i am aware, well neither me nor my wife have seen one and i just need to get the agreement to check on the turning up at the property.

Thanks

dgtazzman

I can feel where you are coming from. We are hoping to buy a house next year and move out of our rental, will have been here close to 4 years at that point. The carpets are cheap carpets from the new build in 2005/2006 and they are really coming to the point that I'd replace them if the house was mine.

I know this would normally fall under wear and tear, but our cat has had fun with some fraying close to the living room door, I had to cut out a square of about 2cm off a corner here to prevent the damage from getting worse and to clean up the fraying a bit (cat didn't start it, did make it worse though). Quite willing to compensate for this little damage, but I'm affraid the landlord will try to take us to the cleaner over it to try and milk as much as he can towards the new carpets he will need to put down for the next tenant.

Also, AFAIK, if there's no signed inventory, the landlord hasn't a leg to stand on, worst you'd get is probably a bad reference.

mightyroyals

We have already told the new landlord about our old one, i don't think they asked for a reference as nothing was said and we get keys next week