A fair wear and tear dispute

have_faith

My husband and I have just left a rented flat after living there for 2 years and 8 months. Last night at about 11pm I had a text from the landlords daughter telling me the flat was left in a state, how it was upsetting to see the flat that way and how the letting agents would be in touch about all the damaged and broken items we have left.

When we moved into the flat the couch was torn, the walls were scuffed and marked, there was evidence of mold growing on the walls and in bathroom which we put on inventory at check in. Throughout the time we have lived there these things have only gotten worse. The landlord gave us a dehumidifier and fitted trickle vents in the windows and told us he would fit a fan in the bathroom (this didn't happen). Wallpaper in my sons room started to peel at one small area that was constantly damp even though we had heating on constantly. My son never picked at it, it has just started peeling at the seam.

On leaving the flat I spent 9 hours scrubbing the place. All cupboards, windows, rooms, walls, carpets, skirting boards etc were cleaned and the flat was left in a clean and tidy condition. I did notice that one of the hinges on a kitchen cabinet has broken, causing the door to droop, and the cupboard handle came off in my hand on the day we were to hand keys back. The bathroom is as clean as I could make it. The seal around the bath/shower has turned black with mold even though it was cleaned constantly, and the grout in bathroom needs redone again due to the mold. As we complained about this constantly they were aware of the situation. The kitchen beads at the bottom of the blinds were all snapped and broken as well. Nothing in this flat was new when we moved in, or newly decorated and previous tennent lived there for 3 years before us.

To receive this text makes me think they will be disputing our deposit but I'm not sure which of these things constitute fair wear and tear and which we should reasonably pay for. I have no objection to paying for things that we should be liable for. can anyone help clear this up? Thanks in advance and sorry for long rambling post!

DRP

Do they have an inventory (signed by yourself when you moved in) with accurate descriptions of the condition of the flat?

have_faith

Yes, we detailed the scuffs on walls, tears on couch and general condition. We also signed it and sent it back. Obviously after almost 3 years the condition has got worse, there is more mold, the tear got bigger and the scuffs and scratches remain and have possible been added to.

BitterAndTwisted

Did you run that dehumidifier 24/7 once the landlord supplied it? If so, there shouldn't have been more mould especially coupled with the trickle-vents which were installed.

Unfortunately you're going to have to pay for the damaged kitchen cabinet, but your deposit is not a landlord's new-for-old insurance policy.

Come back to this thread once you hear back from the landlord with a list of their proposed deductions.

have_faith

The dehumidifier was first set to 50%and when that didn't improve the situation it was set to constant, and still the mould grew in every room, and even on our mattress! Trickle vents were always open as well. The damp throughout the flat was extensive. Just this moment had a call from the letting agency who have viewed the flat and they have said that everything is as they would expect and in fact they wish everyone left their properties as clean as we did! Will await any further information about our deposit as I'm guessing landlord won't be happy with their assessment.

ognum

OP, I am really confused as to why you lived there for nearly 3 years when mould was growing on the mattress!

Mr_Moo_2

have_faith wrote: »

The landlord gave us a dehumidifier and fitted trickle vents in the windows and told us he would fit a fan in the bathroom (this didn't happen). ................ As we complained about this constantly they were aware of the situation.

Have you got evidence of the ongoing issues you have raised? Correspondence, preferably written between you and the LL. If you have to go the dispute, this will come in handy?