Carpet in rented property - lifespan and replacement

LittleMax

How much deposit is there?

I wouldn't enter into any further discussion with the landlord, don't answer any calls from him. Anything you need to arrange for check out, go through the agent.

Make sure you take lots of photos before you check out, including photos of the carpet to show that it is felt backed. As others have said the arbitration process is straightforward and fair. It's a bit of hassle you could probably do without, but you get a chance to try to agree before it goes to the final arbitration, so he may change his mind about your offer before you even get to that stage.

marksoton

PurpleStripedSocks wrote: »

I'm now quite concerned about what will happen whilst we remain in the property for another week.

B&Q,cheap barrel and change the lock. Replace with the original as you leave.

Marktheshark

Carpet fitters are 50 a penny these days, get the phone book out and call for some quotes and bargain them off against each other.
The carpet will be Mercados own polyester berber, a trade carpet that cost £3.99 a m2 trade + vat.
A good fitter will know what it is on sight.

PurpleStripedSocks

Thank you everyone. The deposit is £1000. Should we be obtaining further quotes then in addition to the original two?

Also photos. I don't have a digital camera and my phone doesn't time/date stamp. Will an app that date stamps be appropriate?

The situation is a little unusual in that our landlord used the letting agent (he knows them well as does all the maintenance for them) for letting the place but manages it himself. So think we'll be dealing with him for checkout.. Although the agent will be doing inventory after we leave as it'll be a weekend.

I don't know whether changing the locks would be a good idea... We don't know how to do this and I'm not sure on the legality of it?

Up until this point our landlord has been totally fine - we've left him alone, he has left us alone apart from a yearly visit. Shame things have got so messy.

marksoton

PurpleStripedSocks wrote: »

I don't know whether changing the locks would be a good idea... We don't know how to do this and I'm not sure on the legality of it?

Quick Youtube job done.

As regards legality,how will he know? Unless he enters the property without your consent of course....

Marktheshark

For photos :
Buy a copy of that days newspaper and place the front cover in one of the wide pics of each room.
That dates it.

Hoploz

Marktheshark wrote: »

For photos :
Buy a copy of that days newspaper and place the front cover in one of the wide pics of each room.
That dates it.

Just what I was going to suggest! :beer:

[Deleted User]

Find a friend with a phone, make sure the photos are good enough quality to prove your points as to damage.

Wassa123

You won't have to pay £600.

You will have to contribute to a new one due to the damage (whether the landlord bothers to replace it or not), but probably less than 1/2 the cost due to "fair wear and tear" of being there 4 years, maybe more depending on the age of the carpet.

The landlord might say "this carpet is worth x amount",but chances are he'll pick the cheapest carpet on sale at Carpetright or similar and just use that.

melstar11

If at all possible, you should be there when the check out visit is carried out. As it sounds as though you won't be, as well as taking lots of photos, film a walk through of the flat too.