Lodger deposit deduction opinion

Wassa123

Hi all,

After 6 months, our lodgers (a couple, also friends) have moved out and we're looking at the damage that's been done to their room/bathroom.

The room was freshly redecorated before they moved in (holes filled, walls painted, skirting board glossed, new carpet), and the bathroom was previously in great condition and I had re-grouted/sealed everything.

As they're friends, I'd rather not charge them unless I had to, which is why I've spent some time trying to clean some of the things myself. (Whereas a professional landlord would just hire a cleaner and charge them).

On looking at the room there were a number of things we've noticed:
Bedroom:
- Ash marks on the new carpet from incense burners.
I've spent some time removing these using the bicarbonate soda/stain remover trick. I think it's unnoticeable now if you're not specifically looking for it.

- Dings and scuffs on the wall.
I guess we should put this down to wear and tear? Though annoying as it was only 6 months ago that it was redecorated.

Bathtub (previously pristine):
- Yellow spots on the white tub.
This is because there was a henna/herbal shampoo that they used, but they weren't great at cleaning/rinsing the tub after a shower and rather than being washed away they've been allowed to sit and stain. I've tried everything to remove them but it looks like it's not coming off.

- One of the bath handle has had the chrome finish removed.
Looking online, it looks like this is caused by an acid/alkaline (i.e bleach/cleaning products not meant for metal) reacting with the chrome finish and removing it leaving the underlying brass visible.

Obviously we'd like them returned back to the original state, but that's not possible without replacing it, but that seems overboard for cosmetic damage, as the bath is still usable. But what's a fair way to sort this out?

Annoyingly, the handle that is damaged is the one between the bath and the wall and so you can't easily replace it without going to the hassle of removing the bath and plumbing.

Thanks in advance

G_M

I assume as you were also living there, you had previousl noticed the bathroom problems, smelt the incence etc. What did they say at the time when you mentioned it?

sheff6107

Life's too short to be falling out with friends. I'd just bite the bullet and not mention it. Just because they're friends it doesn't mean they're not slobs.

Go out for a meal and feign forgetting your card so that they pay.

Pixie5740

No matter how clean, tidy and careful the lodgers were the room was never going to be returned in it's original condition.

Wassa123

G_M wrote: »

I assume as you were also living there, you had previousl noticed the bathroom problems, smelt the incence etc. What did they say at the time when you mentioned it?

Yes, the bathroom was previously fine.

We asked them to stop using the incense, mainly because the smell is very strong and makes the whole house stink!

Pixie5740 wrote: »

No matter how clean, tidy and careful the lodgers were the room was never going to be returned in it's original condition.

Yes there will be an amount of wear and tear from moving in and house and general use. We're more concerned about the bathroom.

Knicknack

I hated renting newly decorated property for this reason. The landlord always compares the state of the place with some ideal which can never be replicated unless the Tennant pays to redecorate. Wear and tear is not an option apparently.

Wassa123

I'm not asking anyone to pay to redecorate.
I said in the OP that it's probably wear and tear.

I'm more interested in the henna stained tub and deplated chrome handle, which I state would be overkill to get it replaced. I'm asking for opinions on a fair compromise.

Rosemary7391

Ask them how to clean the henna stuff off the tub? Their stuff, they ought to know how to clean it?

MillyR

I do sympathise- after 6 months it shouldn't be that bad. I've actually just repainted some of our rented house to fix issues caused by the people renting before us because I'm so paranoid the landlord will charge us for it!

I second the idea of asking how to clean the bath and ash marks, in quite a pointed way. If they're friends they should be pretty ashamed and offer to come and sort it out themselves- without getting into their bad books!

However, the fact that they've left it like that suggests maybe they don't care. Worth a shot before getting into arguments about money?

If not, decide how much you value their friendship compared to the state they left the room in.

booksurr

Wassa123 wrote: »

I'm more interested in the henna stained tub and deplated chrome handle, which I state would be overkill to get it replaced. I'm asking for opinions on a fair compromise.

there is no compromise

- you failed to prevent them using the stuff that caused the damage whilst you were living there and could see it happening before your eyes

- you accept that new for old is unenforceable

- there is a fine borderline between damage (staining) and wear and tear (plating being removed through usage). The handles on my bath are pitted, I regard it as wear and tear from years of use not damage from my lodgers using "normal" chemicals such as shampoo

- what are your real options: let it go or seek financial recompense? You can't expect new for old, you have already failed on cleaning (have you tried google removing henna from baths? eg: here: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=91396 ), so what good is a few £ of compensation instead? All the latter does is sour the friendship

fairy_lights

It sounds like relatively minor damage in the scale of things, annoying yes, but probably not worth losing a friendship over.
The henna in the bath will fade eventually - Maybe try HG mould spray on it and see if that can fade it?