Unfair landlord deducting £375 from my deposit for repairs??

allybally273

Hi
I moved out of a flat on 1st September 2013 and had paid an £850 deposit (which is held with Deposit Scotland).

My landlord is trying to charge me £375 for 2 carpets and lino in the bathroom.

The bedroom carpet has a very small burn mark (side of hair straighteners) and he has quoted £198.60 for a replacement carpet.
The hall has a pull and is trying to charge £141.45 for a brand new carpet
The bathroom has a drop of hair dye on the lino and is trying to charge £88.85.
Also I pollyfilled a hole in the wall but did not sand the filler flush, and is trying to charge £75 for a handyman!!
They want me to pay 70% as I was there just under 3 years so should get another 7 years out the carpet.
My argument is they are trying to say the carpets/lino should last 10 years. I disagree as the carpets are the cheapest nylon twist pile carpet, and the lino would never last that long, it is a pale lino and already worn.

I have asked for proof that the carpets/lino were new, the cost when they were new, the room sizes so I can get my own quote, the make of carpet etc. The landlord has not reponsded to any of my questions and has only supplied me with 1 quote which states full cost per room and not detailed.

I have lodged a dispute with deposit scotland but they are asking what I am willing to pay? I have also been advised this can be 'patched' rather than them benefiting from a brand new carpet?? Is this possible? Also am I allowed to get someone in to do the work myself?

Please help me this has been going on for 3 months and I really need the money back asap! It's really stressing me out. Any advice would be amazing.....

straas

Unfortunately it's likely that your former landlord would be awarded the costs.

None are extortionate for supply and fitting of the materials - the handyman does seem a little high, but without knowing the size/scale of the hole it's hard to say (may require a proper refill using a mesh, and a repaint of the wall to get it to the same condition as previous)

Burn marks and dye stains are not allowable w&t and would affect the lettability of the property so would have to be replaced.

Patching carpets or lino rarely looks good, I certainly wouldn't want it in my room.

You could've arranged repairs/replacements prior to vacation, I doubt the landlord would accept this now, especially as the work has likely already been completed so they can get on with letting it.

allybally273

Thanks for your reply
The work has not been complete as it is being disputed through Deposit Scotland and I need to provide evidence.
I can't seem to find any solid evidence that a carpet should last 10years, especially one of such cheap material so I am arguing this case, but would like some evidence.
With regard to the wall, it is a small amount of pollyfiller that needs to be more flush, obviously wasn't happy with my handywork, and the new owner had already painted over this (she had permission to go in early to paint as she is my friend) so I didn't properly finish it as she didn't want it finished)

It's causing a lot of stress!

lvm

Landlords don't have to wait until deposit schemes release deposits before going ahead with repairs.

If I was the landlord then I'd have used my own money to sort things out quickly so I can get property re-let.

I'd be very surprised if your ex landlord has been waiting over 10 weeks so far and until the deposit is released before getting new people in. There are likely to be new tenants in there already.

allybally273

Yes there was someone in 5 days later, my friend!!! Who I found for them, showed her round the property and showed her how everything works!! Hence why they can afford to take their time!!

I have tried getting access so I can measure the carpets and try and vinegar out the dye stain (I didn't notice it at time of cleaning) but she is now not answering my texts! Sometimes when you try and help people it just backfires!!!

allybally273

For anyone else in a similar situation I just found a great site:-
www.peachenergy.co.uk/Damage%20%20&%20Deposits.pdf‎

really helpful!!

BitterAndTwisted

Really helpful that the link doesn't work. I dunno how a company that supplies EPCs can be relied on. I'd rather consult the Shelter Scotland site about fw&t/delapidations advice.

allybally273

Apparently I put a different amount in this forum than I did another one so just to rectify:-

Front Bedroom Carpet. £139.02 for a 70% share of Replacement Quote of 198.60

Bathroom Vinyl £62.20 for a 70% share of Replacement Quote of £88.85

Hall Carpet. £99.02 for a 70% share of Replacement Quote of £141.45

Therefore totals £428.90 but he wants me to pay £300.24
Also £75 to flush a tiny bit of wall I pollyfilled when the Sky man put a cable through the wall......

Not that the amounts make any difference to my enquiry!!!

allybally273

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Really helpful that the link doesn't work. I dunno how a company that supplies EPCs can be relied on. I'd rather consult the Shelter Scotland site about fw&t/delapidations advice.

God your username is really like you!

If you google Peaches Inventory agents landlords and tenants (which is quite easy to do btw) then you'll find it and its APIP approved if you'd actually seen it!

If you don't like help I put on my forum, don't read it!!

allybally273

I did phone Shelter and they said it depends on quality and evidence of the make and how long it was guaranteed for, which the owner won't supply, but he will have to supply this to Deposit Scotland if he wants any case.

Cissi

allybally273 wrote: »

God your username is really like you!

If you google Peaches Inventory agents landlords and tenants (which is quite easy to do btw) then you'll find it and its APIP approved if you'd actually seen it!

If you don't like help I put on my forum, don't read it!!

(my bolding)

allybally273 wrote: »

I did phone Shelter and they said it depends on quality and evidence of the make and how long it was guaranteed for, which the owner won't supply, but he will have to supply this to Deposit Scotland if he wants any case.

Sounds like you've already got things in hand and don't really want/need any advice (especially if the advice given isn't what you want to hear)... Good luck with the case - I don't know anything about how it works in Scotland, but the LL's demands sound pretty reasonable (and well documented) to me.

Just one comment: referring to this as "your forum" to a long-standing and generally very helpful member like B&T may not win you a popularity award around here...