Ending tenancy, Iron mark on mattress

Herbalus

A dodgy agency wouldn't replace the entire mattress because of a stain. A dodgy agency will charge you for a new mattress when you've gone, and then won't replace it.

toberemembered

deannatrois wrote: »

You might find with careful washing and sewing, the mattress can be repaired. You'll have to do a good standard repair though. I could because I sew well, a lot of people can't though.

How would you go about this? I read that using soapy water and a clean cloth you can remove the discoloration, but not sure how well the tears would repair from sewing alone.

Had thought about patching with something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TSD-Professional-FABRIC-GLUE-Adhesive-Repair-Kit-Textile-Craft-Upholstery-etc-/271417897464?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f31c471f8

and sewing the edges of the patch to the underlying material

Dird

Isn't this just easily covered with a bed sheet?

A mark from an iron isn't a reason to replace a practically new mattress

Innys1

Dird wrote: »

Isn't this just easily covered with a bed sheet?

A mark from an iron isn't a reason to replace a practically new mattress

You're assuming the mattress had a sheet on it when the OP moved in. Why would it?

Odds are photos were taken at the check in and when the OP leaves, the room will be compared to them. Anything that looks out of place is likely to catch the eye and be subject to further scrutiny.

Better to fess up.

Innys1

HappyMJ wrote: »

That's what I'd do....and leave the bed made up with a mattress protector and sheet. A little damage is expected so the small tears I wouldn't worry about. I would take that to tribunal saying the mattress as so cheap that it tore very easily a better quality mattress would not have torn.

The OPs rent included an element for the cost of a cheap mattress. If they wanted a more expensive mattress which "would not have torn", they should have paid more rent somewhere else.

Plus, your argument falls apart when you consider the iron marks on the mattress - or is that because the mattress was cheap too? Should the landlord have provided a more expensive iron-resistant mattress?

dimbo61

Fair wear and tear is one thing, Burn marks on what was a brand new mattress is something completely different.
I would expect a mattress in a student property to last 3/4 years.
So I would ask for a £40 deduction from the deposit.
Does the whole deposit go to the lead tenant ?

mrsbee17

I think I'm missing something... how did an iron mark get on a mattress?

maninthestreet

mrsbee17 wrote: »

I think I'm missing something... how did an iron mark get on a mattress?

My guess is there is (or was) no ironing board at the property, and the OP used the bed instead.....
OP - just turn the mattress over, as previously suggested.
Using a mattress cover may just alert the LA and/or landlord that something nasty lurks beneath the cover....

oystercatcher

I'd much rather sleep on a mattess with an iron mark than some unidentifiable stain that could be 'body fluid' :eek:

toberemembered

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I am going to 'fix' the mattress by sewing the slight tears shut with a large needle and thick thread, then apply two iron on (I see the irony here :P) patches over the marks and sew the edges to the fabric underneath. I'll take pictures of the process and make a document showing what I did to fix it so my LA know i'm not covering up bodily fluid stains! Then I reckon I'll turn it over, hope for the best and if they do comment on it explain what happened and ask for a small deduction from my deposit.

Edit: Will also let the future tenant (personal friend) know so they can mark it on their inventory