lodger problem - landlord using deposit.

danshah316

Two weeks ago, I moved into a house (with a recently refurbished kitchen) as a lodger renting a room living with the home owners. I am only there for a short time, awaiting a house purchase to complete (money is very tight at the mo) . I have paid for 3 weeks in advance and have one week of that remaining, and can pay one week at a time should I need to extend that.

I paid the 3 weeks rent by cheque and I also paid my deposit by cheque. The deposit was £400, which has come out of my bank account a week ago.

Two days ago, I was making sausages for dinner in the kitchen. I used the hob, and some sprinkles of oil splattered around.

The landlady noticed the sprinkles of oil and said the landlord had been cleaning the kitchen surface for approx 2 hours and she expected everything to be put back as it was before I made the sausages. She gave me some wipes and I started to use them to wipe the mess. It wasn’t coming off in such a way to make the hob area really shiny, like it was before I cooked my dinner.

I used some oven cleaner on an area where there was some oil splashes. It left a mark as shown in the picture below (small mark on the bottom left). The landlord has now told me that I will be charged £380 for this. I am really disappointed as its such a small mark and I don’t know if there is anything I can do about it.

I know they haven’t used a deposit protection scheme, but from doing a bit of research on google, it seems as though as I am a lodger living with the landlord, they don’t have to. Is there anything I can do to stop them using by deposit money to buy a whole new hob for £380?

Thanks, appreciate any advice given.

virtuallyfree

There are no deposit rights for lodgers at present. Unfortunately you did use a product not meant for hobs which did damage it. The deposit is for damages. Think you may need to put this one down to experience.

Lovelyjoolz

This might just be residue from the oven cleaner. Try rubbing the mark with kitchen roll soaked in a little baby oil. If the mark disappears, problem is solved.

19lottie82

I'm afraid you damaged the hob, and the only way to repair it is to buy a new one. I understand you feel hard done by, but by the sounds of it, the LL is within her / his rights.

You could take them to the small claims court, but I don't think you'd get very far tbh.

Angelicdevil

19lottie82 wrote: »

I'm afraid you damaged the hob, and the only way to repair it is to buy a new one. I understand you feel hard done by, but by the sounds of it, the LL is within her / his rights.

You could take them to the small claims court, but I don't think you'd get very far tbh.

I don't disagree that if the mark is permanent then the lodger should pay for the damage, but does a LL's non entitlement to betterment not apply here?

19lottie82

Angelicdevil wrote: »

I don't disagree that if the mark is permanent then the lodger should pay for the damage, but does a LL's non entitlement to betterment not apply here?

Not really, as the OP said.....

danshah316 wrote: »

Two weeks ago, I moved into a house (with a recently refurbished kitchen)

hazyjo

Ouch. My bf used Cilit Bang (can I say that?!) on my hob and it took off all the markings, everything! Am guessing you used the same or similar. I probably would have done the same - you expect things to be useable on every surface these days, but obviously not. Neither of us will make the same mistake again! Thank god it happened on my old hob, not the one going in this week!

I'm afraid I'm with the others... can't see a way out of paying. Try to source a cheaper one off the internet (same model) maybe? Hope she doesn't charge for fitting too!

I would make sure she actually fits a new one though which is why I'd prefer to buy one rather than let her have the dosh.

Gutting, I know.

Jx

BitterAndTwisted

It might not be necessary to replace the whole hob but to source the appropriate part. That's what I'd be looking into tout suite.

Causing damage after only two weeks is likely to result in the OP being given his marching-orders ere long if he doesn't watch out. In the LL's place I'd be ruddy furious at such irresponsible behaviour.

danshah316

I really appreciate all the responses, and I am leaning towards just chalking it up to experience.

I feel more annoyed I suppose as the home owners shouldn't really expect the place to be kept in absolute mint condition, and if they do, they shouldn't rent rooms out.

As they want £380 to replace the hob which is now 'damaged', does that mean I am entitled to take the damaged hob with me and at least try to get some money back by flogging on ebay?

hazyjo

danshah316 wrote: »

As they want £380 to replace the hob which is now 'damaged', does that mean I am entitled to take the damaged hob with me and at least try to get some money back by flogging on ebay?

Don't see why not - unless they get someone to fit at a reduced rate if they can take the hob with them or some other such deal.

Do you know anyone who could fit it?

Jx

tight_is_right

This thread is absurd. There is no way anybody would go out and buy a new hob if they did that to their own, it's such a tiny insignificant mark and is purely superficial. If anybody is chalking it down to experience it should be the homeowner for taking on lodgers and being overly anal about things - you can't have it both ways.

If I was op there is *no way* I'd be paying to replace that hob, and I can't see any legal way they could make you.