Landlord demanding paint job - Urgent adcice needed

Dougalina

Hi,

My daughter is due to move out of her shared Student House.

The landlord has told them ( her and her housemates) that in order for them to get their deposits back, they have to paint alll their rooms.

My daughter has not damaged the walls in her room, and tells me the only marks are mould, which is not her fault, as she left the windows open as much as possible to do this.

My question is, can he do this? She cannot afford to lose the £400 deposit, and is very streesed about it.

I would appreciate any replies as soon as possible, as she is due to leave tomorrow :-(

thank you

kinger101

Just dispute it in the deposit protection scheme. Unless damage or excessive wear has been done the the paintwork, the LL hasn't got a chance.

As a courtesy, I used to touch up any scuffs etc with the ubiquitous magnolia paint when I left somewhere.

If the property is advertised through the university of student union, I'd also feed this back to get this landlord barred from any accreditation scheme they have.

dgtazzman

Was there a check in inventory that specifically mentioned the state of the walls as being 'as new' or pictures to this effect that were signed by your daughter and her housemates?

If not, the LL doesn't have a leg to stand on anyway and he/she won't be able to deduct for painting from the deposit.

Mojisola

dgtazzman wrote: »

Was there a check in inventory that specifically mentioned the state of the walls as being 'as new' or pictures to this effect that were signed by your daughter and her housemates?

Even if the walls were freshly painted when she moved in, the LL can't expect them to be in the same state now. He has to expect normal wear and tear. He's trying it on, hoping that they will just comply.

Dougalina

hi,

Thanks for all of your replies. That's what I thought as well. I think he is just trying it on, as they are all young and inexperienced.

He also tried to make them hire a steam cleaner for the carpets, even though there is nothing in the contract, and there have been no significant stains.

Thanks for the advice about then advertising, I will definitely use that if I need to,

I have told her to take loads of pictures, so that if it goes to dispute, we have the evidence to prove that there was no damage (other than cracks in the walls), and no significant stains on the carpets, as once we leave, he could say anything!

Thank you again, I feel much calmer now :-)

Kynthia

No 'significant' stains and marks on the walls from mould. So the property isn't being left in the condition it was found then? Unless there's a defect in the property then it's likely that mould is caused by the tenants lifestyle. Were the others ventilating the property enough, heating it regularly and using extractor fans appropriately? I'm hoping the cracks on the walls were there when they moved in or did the tenants cause them?

The best thing is for everyone to clean as much as possible and then take lots of pictures. Then when the deposit is disputed the only way the landlord will win any of it is if they can prove the property was left in a worse condition after discounting 'fair' wear and tear.

teamgb

Bleach diluted 50/50 with water will remove the mould marks with a soft cloth. Do a small test area first.


No heavy rubbing and take care not splash furniture or fabrics including clothes.

19lottie82

Hi OP, can you confirm that the deposit was protected and if there is a dual signed inventory or not?

Marktheshark

Photograph all rooms with a copy of that days newspaper in the pictures.

FBaby

How long was she there? The condition in which she left the property will be very dependent on this. If she's been there 3 years, then the LL can't expect a carpet to be exactly as it was then, although if he had it steam cleaned before and it is in the contract, they it might not be unreasonable for him to ask that it is done too.

If however she's been there for 6 months only, and the carpet was in good conditions when she moved, then it is totally reasonable that he asked that it is almost in the same condition than when she moved in. Same with the walls.

t0rt0ise

Kynthia wrote: »

Unless there's a defect in the property then it's likely that mould is caused by the tenants lifestyle.

This is an overused excuse by landlords and others including many on here. For me, I've lived in 17 houses, living the same lifestyle in each with 16 of them having no mould and one with. Of course I was told that it was obviously my lifestyle and I feel that it is obvious that it wasn't.