Do I need to pay my landlord?

Darkhawk

Hello everyone,

Last month I left a property I had been renting for the past 6 years (almost). When leaving the property I cleaned the house as well as its exteriors as well as I could - I left the house in a better state than which it was given to me.

Of course after having lived there for so long some wear and tear is expected but this landlord wants to charge me for every single thing that has changed (after 6 years!!) - he basically wants everything like new

Whilst living there a glass door was damaged (Cracked Window in bedroom). She just sent me a quote of £500 and this is, I presume to be taken out of my deposit. This is in reality the only noticeable damage left there by us - everything else is wonderful.

Do you think I am being unfairly treated here?

vuvuzela

Do you have an inventory stating the condition of the door (and everything else) signed by you and the landlord from when you moved in ?
If not, they will struggle to prove anything.

forgotmyname

Personally i don't see a damaged glass door and cracked window as general wear and tear.

Thats damage and within their rights to claim back. Whether the quote is excessive is what you need to be looking at. Can you get the work done cheaper?

Darkhawk

The door wasn't mentioned at the start as it was fine then but yes, we got an inventory. She wanted the original inventory the way it was when she rented it to us - isn't that too much to ask after 6 years

dshart

A damaged door and cracked window would not be classed as wear and tear. If you accept that these were damaged during your tenancy then you are responsible for their repair. I guess you could only argue is the quote reasonable for repair of the damage.

Darkhawk

You're right. I don't mind paying for it but £500 just because of crack seems excessive. Of course this would include taking out the old glass pane and adding a new one.

What do you suggest I say to her then?

earthstorm

why did you not look at repairing this when it happened?

InsideInsurance

Having presumably already vacated the property and left the damage there then its alot more difficult to contest than if you'd dealt with it before leaving. Without access to the property it'll be difficult to get alternative quotes to rectify the damage you caused.

Fair wear and tear normally wouldnt be charged to you as a tenant but as others have said, cracked windows etc are not wear and tear

Darkhawk

All the repairs are usually done by her, we tell her about it and she usually fixes it/ calls someone.

She knew of the damage for quite a while but did nothing.

harrys_dad

You need to post on this board

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16

There are several "experts" there who are very familiar with everything to do with return of rental deposits.

dshart

So if she had fixed it when she first found out about it and billed you then would you have been happy to pay the charge?