Rented house - damaged work top

Puddleduck23

Looking for some advice about our rented house (via agency).

When we moved in 4.5yes ago there was some minor water damage to our wooden worktop around the belfast sink. Over the course of our tenancy, this has got progressively worse to the point now where parts are rotten.

This was reported to their maintenence department over 3yrs ago when it worsened. I was told once water gets in, there was nothing that could be done but that it would be noted. It's been obviously present at all 6 monthly inspections since then.

Today we had another inspection, by a different person to usual. Photos were taken to report back to the Landlord. The emphasis was suddenly very much on the fact that it had never been a problem before we were tenants and they've held the property for some time. I pointed out that the water damage as been present for as long as we have and has got worse despite us reporting it. I also pointed out that it's not a solid wood work surface, underneath the top lacquer is chipboard. Which is not sealed in any way around the belfast sink.

When we originally realised the issue I searched online about how to sort it and realised that all the normal care instructions for wooden work tops are for solid wood and not lacquered. And all the advice with regards to sinks that are sunk into the worktop, was to never use anything other than solid wood.

This is almost certainly going to cause issues with our deposit, if not sooner. Where do we stand on responsibility for paying for a replacement surface?

theartfullodger

Depends when you leave, how good the check-in inventory & photos were & what the deposit scheme adjudicator decides based on you informing maintenance who then decided to do nothing.

(eg if you stay another 20 years.. no deposit deduction would be fair..).

IMHO keep records of who you informed when, than anyone kindly for their comments, do nothing and see what happens...

You told 'em: They did nothing: their problem.

Artful (landlord as it happens)

hazyjo

Put it all in a letter now and list what you have previously told them. Send first class. Accept no responsibility. I would definitely be contesting it if they try to sting you for it later. Should definitely not have been fitted in laminate (etc) type worktops.


Do you know when the kitchen was fitted? If cheap/poor quality, the whole thing may have only had a 5-10 year lifespan anyway!


Jx

Puddleduck23

Thanks for your comments.

I've emailed to maintenence from 2012 asking them to look at it as it was getting worse. No record of the verbal conversation that aside from replacement there was nothing to be done though.

We're on a yearly contract so will see what occurs in Feb/March at renewal. We though the landlord was planning to sell last summer but our tenancy was extended for another year in the end.

Just worried we'll be up for a fight for our deposit back. But the fact that ongoing damp in the conservatory also has never been resolved stands in our corner too.

Puddleduck23

Crossed post with you Hazyjo.

I did read that laminate work tops were a stupid idea!

I've no idea when it was fitted. It wasn't new when we moved in. And the landlords dad (who lives locally and does repairs sometimes) told me that he fixed a tap leak for the previous tenant which may be when the damage originally began.