Student: Need advice with accommodation company

ThomasJay

Hi
I am currently a student studying at university. I have been living in an accommodation managed by UPP. Unfortunately whilst someone was here they damaged the carpet with an iron burn, as the carpet is foam backed carpet laid onto what I assume is cement it left quite a big mark so the carpet has to be replaced. This is fine I accept that.

When I moved in the carpet was six years old, it's foam backed carpet so what I can assume is pretty cheap stuff as they had to outfit many buildings with the same thing it makes sense. I'm assuming this type of carpet has a lifespan of seven years?

If so does betterment which is something I have been reading a lot on this forum come into play?

As the carpet is six years old and quite worn. How much would I be expected to pay in regards to depreciation?

They are telling me I have to pay £434.00 to carpet this room which is honestly a tiny room, it's rather ridiculous. I have attached a photo (apologies for the mess as I am packing to leave at the moment :money: ) Here is a photo of the room:

s22.postimg.org/6klzb9hht/image1.jpg

Also they are not replacing the carpet underneath the bed or anything it's literally next to the bed that narrow strip and the rest of the room. 434 quid?!

I'm not sure if I am allowed to hire anyone myself, however I have found the exact same foam backed carpet off a supplier to fill the whole room for 50 quid!!! There is no need for underlay apparently.

Here is an email I got from the accommodation:

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Hi Thomas

Please see quote received today from AJ Floorcraft who measured up this morning.
The total cost including admin and VAT is £434.68 (admin is charged at 16.28% and VAT is 20%)

You can make card payments at reception during office hours 8am – 5pm.

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& this is the quote:

s17.postimg.org/4vz4vvwrz/Screen_Shot_2017-05-27_at_23.48.53.png

Frankly this is ridiculous - a roughly sixty quid admin fee?
Charging me £434 for a carpet that when I moved in was over a half decade old, and the room is tiny how does it even come to such an amount, ignoring VAT and the Admin fee?

I would really appreciate some wisdom from you guys about what to do in this situation, thanks

Thomas

G_M

1) Yes betterment applies.

2) You may or may not be right about 7 years being a typical lifespan for that carpet.

3) Let's be conservative. Call it 10 years. So you'd owe 4/10ths of the replacement cost (its remaining lifespan). Is their charge of £434 the replacement cost for that section of the carpet, or a calculated fraction of the replacement cost?

4) What do you mean by "ignoring VAT and the Admin fee?". VAT will be payable - you can't ignore it. What admin fee?

5) You say "I have found the exact same foam backed carpet off a supplier to fill the whole room for 50 quid". is it "the exact same"? Same manufacturer? Same material? Same type? Same colour? Does £50 include, delivery? Fitting? VAT?

6) You say "There is no need for underlay apparently." Apparantly according to...? Does the existing carpt have underlay? Have you looked?

7) Providing you use an exact same carpet (and underlay if there currently is one) you can of course replace the carpet yourself. You would be responsible for ensuring it was done to the same standard as the original (ie a bodged DIY job is no good), and also responsible for any further damage (eg your carpet fitter damaged something else in the process).

I assume you are still in occupation and their charge comes as a result of seeing the damage, rather than because you are leaving and a check-out inspection? If so, and you choose to replace the arpet yourself, I would
a) take photos before/after
b) write to them first informing them of your intention, and enclosing the specification of carpet you will use.

Or you could negotiate with the landlord or his managing agents over
a) the quote they have provided and
b) the betterment they are seeking

ThomasJay

HI thank you for your reply

That's fine let's call it ten to be conservative

the cost for the carpet is 311. The VAT and Admin fee on top drag it up top 434£ I have attached a photo of the quote:

s17.postimg.org/4vz4vvwrz/Screen_Shot_2017-05-27_at_23.48.53.png

I understand VAT will be payable. I am just mentioning that the price before VAT and the admin fee is 311 pounds which is still very much too high for this small of a room and the quality of the carpet that is being installed.

They are saying there is an 18-19% admin fee on top of the total price.

I have attached a link that shows the room.

Not sure about the manufacturer, but same material, same type, same colour, free delivery but no fitting. Though I doubt the fitting will be that much.

There isn't a need for underlay.. it is foam backed carpeting, laid down straight onto cement and yes the original carpet is foam backed with no underlay.

I understand GM, so there is no way they could argue against the 4/10 betterment rule?
Would I have to pay the total VAT or would this rule also stretch to this too. I.e. contributing 4/10 of the VAT whilst the accommodation company pays the remaining 6/10?

I would of course pay completely for the fitting.

Thanks GM

ThomasJay

Hi GM

this is mentioned in the terms and conditions:
This includes (but is not limited to), any costs properly and reasonably incurred by us in arranging any additional cleaning required, issuing replacement lost or stolen keys/cards, repairing or replacing our fixtures, fittings, furniture or equipment, collecting arrears, paying professional advisors, pursuing court proceedings, administration expenses and any income we lose arising from your failure to move out of the Accommodation in accordance with the terms of this Agreement

Is there anyway I have signed away my chance of betterment due to agreeing to this?

G_M

No. Betterment still applies.

You'd need to pay VAT on whatever amount you pay.

I'm not saying 10 years is the lifespan, just pointing out you can't assume 7 years. Suggest 7 and be prepared to negotiate/accept 10!

G_M

s17.postimg.org/4vz4vvwrz/Screen_Shot_2017-05-27_at_23.48.53.png

So their quote is not just for a carpet.

1)uplift and remove. This involves a labour cost, and possibly a commercial recycling charge

2) http://www.ardex.co.uk/products/ardex-feather-finish

this involves labour to the floor, as well as the product (above).

3) http://www.gradus.com/latour
These are the exact tiles you'd need to get a comparative quote for.

anselld

G_M wrote: »

Suggest 7 and be prepared to negotiate/accept 10!

That would be an odd negotiating strategy!

Richey_

anselld wrote: »

That would be an odd negotiating strategy!

Makes perfect sense to me...... :j

macman

Not helped by the agency adding a handy 16.28% admin charge (for phoning their local tame carpet fitter). Where do they get that percentage figure from?
I'd get your own quote and present them with it...