We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!

algea on patio slave s fair wear and tear?

Hi we will soon be moving out of our rented property and after pressure washing the patio we discovered there is algea lychen I think present. There is nothing specific in my contract about the patio so just wanted to ask whether that would be considered fair wear and tear or is this something we need to rectify before moving out? Thanks in advance

Comments

  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I would consider this as wear and tear, but who knows? a different landlord might make an issue of it....
  • kinger101
    kinger101 Posts: 6,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It's not wear and tear, as there is no wearing or tearing. It's just algae. Or lichen. I don't really understand your thread, because pressure washing ought to remove it. But it will grow back eventually.

    Don't worry about it. I doubt the LL will even notice, and unless there is something specifically written into the contract, doubt even more they'd care.

    It only really causes a problem if you get a significant build up of algae which can become slippery when the paving slabs are wet.
    "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance" - Confucius
  • ana8
    ana8 Posts: 64 Forumite
    Hi
    My bf did spend over 2 hrs pressure washing the patio and the black spots won't budge. I wouldn't say they are slippery tho. However I am worried that the landlord won't be happy as he asked for the patio be in as spotless condition as when we moved in. He is coming round next week so wanted to know where we stand. There is nothing specific about the patio in the contract but there are pics in it of the area with no spots
  • Daerve
    Daerve Posts: 245 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary PPI Party Pooper Uniform Washer Debt-free and Proud!
    ana8 wrote: »
    Hi
    My bf did spend over 2 hrs pressure washing the patio and the black spots won't budge. I wouldn't say they are slippery tho. However I am worried that the landlord won't be happy as he asked for the patio be in as spotless condition as when we moved in. He is coming round next week so wanted to know where we stand. There is nothing specific about the patio in the contract but there are pics in it of the area with no spots

    It's never going to be as spotless as when you moved in, it's called entropy and is a fundamental law of the universe.

    I wouldn't worry about it, if the landlord does I'd tell them to poke it.
  • kinger101
    kinger101 Posts: 6,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I think you've done enough. The black spots might just be weathering. If he tries to make a deduction, just dispute it.
    "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance" - Confucius
  • tillycat123
    tillycat123 Posts: 977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    Just go and buy an 89p big bottle of bleach, pour on neat, sprinkle water on it from the watering can and give it all a 5 minute brush with the broom.

    Leave it all to dry and the patio will be gleaming again.

    I've just done this myself, far easier than pressure washing and better results. Home bargains, lidl or aldi have cheap bleach.

    I had black spots too, all gone!
  • justme111
    justme111 Posts: 3,531 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I would second bleach idea -magic !
    The word "dilemma" comes from Greek where "di" means two and "lemma" means premise. Refers usually to difficult choice between two undesirable options.
    Often people seem to use this word mistakenly where "quandary" would fit better.
  • anselld
    anselld Posts: 8,708 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Tell the patio slaves to scrub harder. ;)
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 246K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.8K Life & Family
  • 259.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.