Tenant filth and damage

david29dpo

A friends tenant moved out a month early (Tenant given 2 months notice) Everything above board and legal.

The place is disgustingly filthy plus damaged.
It is unlikely the deposit will cover the damage, let alone the last months rent.
My question is.... To keep costs down he (and I) can do all the work ourselves but how does he cost his labour?
Getting the "professionals" in he gets a bill so no problem.

anselld

Get 3 quotes for the required cleaning. It is not necessary to use them; it is up to him how he achieves the work in then end, but he must prove that the work is necessary based on inventories, etc and that the cost is fair.

david29dpo

Thanks, and the same with the damage?

anselld

david29dpo wrote: »

Thanks, and the same with the damage?

Yes, although in that case he must also allow for any fair wear and tear, age etc and avoid "betterment".

david29dpo

Yes, of course.
House brand new 9 months ago!

abankerbutnotafatcat

anselld wrote: »

Yes, although in that case he must also allow for any fair wear and tear, age etc and avoid "betterment".

You're referring to what OP can legitimately deduct from the deposit. Whilst that may be true of some of the cost, if the deposit doesn't cover all the work required to get the property back to lettable condition then the remainder will be what he can claim as a cost for tax purposes and in that circumstance he isn't restricted by betterment.

Yes, OP, you can undertake the work yourself just be prepared to prove that the cost (labour and materials) reflects the actual work done I.e. receipts, photos and details of work required.

martindow

If the LL does the work himself I don't think he can raise an invoice for the 'cost' of doing this. Would HMRC be happy with this going into the accounts?

G_M

Correct.

If LL does the work himself he cannot claim (either from tenant or for tax purposes) the cost of prfessional work.

Much depends on the assets of the tenant, whether the tenant can/will pay, whether the tenant can be found.

Taking the tenant to court is only possible if you can find them. Winning at court does not help if they have no assets/income...

In the above cases, LL might prefer to cut his losses, keep the costs down, and DIY.

If LLplans to chase tenants till payment is received (via courts etc if required), then use professiols and claim the full amount.

Tyler_Du

I didn't think a tenant can use the deposit to pay the last months rent

Mallotum_X

If you think the tenant can be found and has the assets to pay then courts can often be far more sympathetic to landlords than the deposit schemes.

moromir

G_M wrote:

Correct.
If LL does the work himself he cannot claim (either from tenant or for tax purposes) the cost of prfessional work.

I am hesitant to suggest you might be incorrect G_M but the The Dispute Service specifically makes mention of the scenario whereby a landlord may claim for his losses but he is not required to produce an invoice, only a quotation to support his claim.

This supports my wider understanding that any claim (be it via the dispute service or court) was to recoup your losses, whether you then used that money to rectify the loss or go on holiday was entirely your perogative?

I'm happy to be corrected but I think my understanding is correct.