We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Landlord wants to deduct from deposit to replace knackered carpet
WillPS
Posts: 5,504 Forumite
Long story short:
>Viewed property in June 2011, was told living room carpet would be replaced, requested that the carpet stayed (preferred it to hardfloor even if it was tired)
>Moved in July 2011
>Moving out this month, carpet is now knackered, to the point where making it look clean is actually quite difficult.
Landlord is claiming that we have damaged the carpet and will need to pay for a replacement. The carpet is 12 years old. He says we need to pay for a replacement because it has been soiled by an animal (which is true - there are a couple of small dark patches left by a small animal we looked after, unauthorised). We have offered to clean the carpet (as much as we can clean a cheap 12 year old carpet) but he says it will be replaced regardless - surprise surprise.
I think it's unreasonable to ask us to pay for the replacement of a carpet that would have been replaced if I hadn't specifically requested it wasn't 6 years ago.
Deposit is with a DPS. Where do I stand legally?
>Viewed property in June 2011, was told living room carpet would be replaced, requested that the carpet stayed (preferred it to hardfloor even if it was tired)
>Moved in July 2011
>Moving out this month, carpet is now knackered, to the point where making it look clean is actually quite difficult.
Landlord is claiming that we have damaged the carpet and will need to pay for a replacement. The carpet is 12 years old. He says we need to pay for a replacement because it has been soiled by an animal (which is true - there are a couple of small dark patches left by a small animal we looked after, unauthorised). We have offered to clean the carpet (as much as we can clean a cheap 12 year old carpet) but he says it will be replaced regardless - surprise surprise.
I think it's unreasonable to ask us to pay for the replacement of a carpet that would have been replaced if I hadn't specifically requested it wasn't 6 years ago.
Deposit is with a DPS. Where do I stand legally?
0
Comments
-
He has no chance. Dispute it0
-
The key word here is 'betterment'. Landlords are not allowed to use your money to buy brand new items to replace ones which are worn out through 'fair wear & tear'.
Did you sign a photographed inventory when you moved into the property. Do you have an email or pr copies of any correspondence with the landlord when you first moved into the property?:DLady G:eek::mad::rotfl:
Life is too short to be serious all of the time. So, if you can't laugh at yourself, call me - and I'll laugh at you!:money::money:0 -
No chance indeed. He might get something because getting back a carpet soiled by an unauthorised pet is not W&T, but what he'll get with be peanuts and he should know better than to go through the whole dispute process for the sake of a few pounds.0
-
The lifespan of an average carpet is 10-15 years, so atmost the LL has lost out on 3/15 = 20% of a carpet. This is assuming while the carpet is knackered, it would have lasted another couple of years but must be replaced sooner due to the soiling which is not fair wear and tear. So, at most, they would get back 20% of the cost of a new (average quality) carpet + fitting. However if the rest of the carpet is sufficiently degraded so you couldn’t use it even without the animal stains, then the LL has had full use of it so gets back 0.
Dispute this with the LL and if they don’t agree, then ask for the undisputed amount to be repaid and then file a claim with DPS requesting the remainder.0 -
Get it cleaned, take a photo, dispute it.
It'll look fine in a photo no doubt and if it goes to arbitration it'll be hard to argue against a reasonable looking carpet. Why mention the animal if you can give it a proper elbow grease scrub.0 -
Thanks for all the advice. I'm glad I was right to feel it was unreasonable.
We will clean the carpet and he can argue the toss for the sake of whatever the buttons value he'll end up will be.Why mention the animal if you can give it a proper elbow grease scrub.
The landlord became aware that we had an animal (sometimes) years ago - we left a litter tray out once and a pipe burst while we were out of town.
He has (correctly, in fairness) put 2 and 2 together.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 355.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.7K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.9K Spending & Discounts
- 247.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 605.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.8K Life & Family
- 262.8K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards