Fair Wear and Tear - what can they charge me for?

sniggings

jhsam wrote: »

they have not deducted anything yet - but they will do, however I need to know what I NEED to do if they can deduct anything -

For example - carpet cleaning, if I have to do it and don't, this means they CAN claim for a carpet cleaner (which they will probably get a professional at say £100 for example), OR I could pay £25 and rent one and do it myself, saving £75 - but if I wait till we all put the claims in it will be to late for me to decide to do it myself.

So before we start the process of getting the deposit back and disputing stuff, I need to know out of my list what I can be charged for - i.e I don't want to ring the carpet guy and pay him £400 for a new carpet and then find out they would of only got £50 from a deposit claim due to the carpet being over 7yrs old etc

you can do it any way you wish, as long as the before is the same as when you leave, taking into account wear and tear, then they can not tell you how or who to do the cleaning.

FBaby

If it goes to arbitration, they will look at how the place was before and after and then decide whether there was any damage. Whatever they consider that the landlord has a case to withdraw some of the deposit, they will deduct a % for fair wear and tear. So for instance, they can decide that the carpet was damaged beyond wear and tear, and agree that damage is worth say £100, then they deduct T&W over 6 years, say 50% and the associated cost of the damage becomes £50.

Kynthia

In a way the agent is right that marks and dirt aren't wear and tear. However if the walls haven't been painted in ten years and the carpets are old and we're marked when you moved in, then the useful life is near or at an end and the landlord hasn't suffered a loss.

SerialRenter

Technically we have handed possession back, our tenancy ended midnight on 28th but the letting agent said for me to keep the key to come back and put everything right and get the carpet people in to measure up and quote for a carpet

I'd hand the key back as soon as possible, they could try and claim you still have possession of the property and charge you another months (or two if they want notice). rent. It's not for you to measure up for a new carpet either, that's for the landlord to worry about.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

The LA will try it on in the hope that you don't know about the dispute scheme, or think it will be complicated and costly. Calmly collate your evidence (great that you have photos) and present it when required. After 6 years the LL cannot get the house repainted and recarpeted at your expense. Relax and enjoy your new place.

19lottie82

Why on gods earth would you give a THREE year old irn bru??? And FYI that is one of the only things that is impossible to remove from carpets, even when professionally cleaned.

jhsam

sniggings wrote: »

you can do it any way you wish, as long as the before is the same as when you leave, taking into account wear and tear, then they can not tell you how or who to do the cleaning.

In our opinion (and that of the original photo's, as memories can fade after 6 years!) it is cleaner now than when we moved in!

FBaby wrote: »

If it goes to arbitration, they will look at how the place was before and after and then decide whether there was any damage. Whatever they consider that the landlord has a case to withdraw some of the deposit, they will deduct a % for fair wear and tear. So for instance, they can decide that the carpet was damaged beyond wear and tear, and agree that damage is worth say £100, then they deduct T&W over 6 years, say 50% and the associated cost of the damage becomes £50.

I think that's fair way to do it - the letting agents asking us to pay for full new carpets etc though, is clearly not right! Thanks

Kynthia wrote: »

In a way the agent is right that marks and dirt aren't wear and tear. However if the walls haven't been painted in ten years and the carpets are old and we're marked when you moved in, then the useful life is near or at an end and the landlord hasn't suffered a loss.

The walls are better now then when we moved in, we washed them, and some have been painted (at our cost!) as they were so hacky but the LL refused to paint so we just did it!

Out,_Vile_Jelly

19lottie82 wrote: »

Why on gods earth would you give a THREE year old irn bru??? And FYI that is one of the only things that is impossible to remove from carpets, even when professionally cleaned.

Imagine what it's doing to your innards if cleaning chemicals can't remove it!

jhsam

SerialRenter wrote: »

I'd hand the key back as soon as possible, they could try and claim you still have possession of the property and charge you another months (or two if they want notice). rent. It's not for you to measure up for a new carpet either, that's for the landlord to worry about.

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't realise this, I am now going to go down tonight when my husband gets in (so he can watch the kids) and give it some more elbow grease, just to satisfy them as much as possible

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

The LA will try it on in the hope that you don't know about the dispute scheme, or think it will be complicated and costly. Calmly collate your evidence (great that you have photos) and present it when required. After 6 years the LL cannot get the house repainted and recarpeted at your expense. Relax and enjoy your new place.

Yes I think this is what the LA is doing to be honest. Iv'e got all my evidence in order and copies of recipts for the carpet cleaning we have done over the years etc - going to give it another good clean tonight in the oven etc, and then pop the key in an envelope and my folks will drop it in to the office tomorrow for me. Then I will log on and claim the deposit back, they will dispute (no doubt!) and I will counter with all my evidence. Thanks

jhsam

19lottie82 wrote: »

Why on gods earth would you give a THREE year old irn bru??? And FYI that is one of the only things that is impossible to remove from carpets, even when professionally cleaned.

Really? Seriously? Out of this thread - THAT is the post you decide to make, what a wally you are, it must be REALLY high on that horse up there. I assume you are nominated for parent of the year and are a TOTAL saint and the best parent in the world? Not that it's any of your business, but my husband left HIS glass of it on the side in the kitchen, and my 3yo guzzled it down after getting her hands on it and then immediatly threw it up - but ya know, I guess you / your kids have never done anything worng, or silly or done something that they/you shouldn',t so give yourself a massive pat on the back.