Landlord being unreasonable?

thatoldchestnut

Lived in a 1 bed flat with my partner for 4.5 years and recently moved out, and landlord wants to charge us for a few things. Deposit is in the protection scheme. Some of the charges are possibly fair enough (I lost a key so she wants to charge for a replacement; the filter in the extractor fan needs replacing, she wants £80 for carpet cleaning because she’s not happy with the job the cleaners I got in did) but she’s saying she wants to repair the counter top - there are two holes in the surface, both about half the size of a 1p piece, from one incident where my partner placed a hot pan there. She wants to charge £180 for its repair, but there was already a similar hole in another part of the counter which was there when we moved in. Would this be reasonable wear and tear considering how long we’ve been there? She’s also now saying today (the inspection was last Friday) that there is shrinkage in the carpet, presumably from when I’ve had it cleaned. She’s not said yet how much this would cost if she can’t sort it out.

Is she being unreasonable? Part of me wants to forget it and move on (the moving process has been really stressful and overwhelming) but I don’t want to be diddled out of money if she’s just trying it on.

Phenowa

thatoldchestnut wrote: »

Lived in a 1 bed flat with my partner for 4.5 years and recently moved out, and landlord wants to charge us for a few things. Deposit is in the protection scheme. Some of the charges are possibly fair enough (I lost a key so she wants to charge for a replacement; the filter in the extractor fan needs replacing, she wants £80 for carpet cleaning because she’s not happy with the job the cleaners I got in did) but she’s saying she wants to repair the counter top - there are two holes in the surface, both about half the size of a 1p piece, from one incident where my partner placed a hot pan there. She wants to charge £180 for its repair, but there was already a similar hole in another part of the counter which was there when we moved in. Would this be reasonable wear and tear considering how long we’ve been there? She’s also now saying today (the inspection was last Friday) that there is shrinkage in the carpet, presumably from when I’ve had it cleaned. She’s not said yet how much this would cost if she can’t sort it out.

Is she being unreasonable? Part of me wants to forget it and move on (the moving process has been really stressful and overwhelming) but I don’t want to be diddled out of money if she’s just trying it on.

Fair wear and tear does not include loss, damage (accidental or otherwise) nor lack of appropriate cleaning.

The replacement of the cooker hood filter I would suggest is covered by wear and tear, especially after 4.5 years. A new filter costs about £2.50, or about £8 if you are referring to the charcoal filter, as you probably know, as these filters usually require changing every year or so.

If the carpet was damaged by the cleaner you employed, then claim off them - they should be insured.

G_M

thatoldchestnut wrote: »

.... (I lost a key so she wants to charge for a replacement;
Fair enough, though why dd you not get a replacement cut? £3-5!

the filter in the extractor fan needs replacing,
A consumable. Fair eough

she wants £80 for carpet cleaning because she’s not happy with the job the cleaners I got in did)
What condition when you moved in?
What does the check-in inventory say?

but she’s saying she wants to repair the counter top - there are two holes in the surface, both about half the size of a 1p piece, from one incident where my partner placed a hot pan there. She wants to charge £180 for its repair,
So damage. Fair enough though I can't comment on the amount. How is it being repaired? Have you seen a contractor's quote?

but there was already a similar hole in another part of the counter which was there when we moved in.
Irrelvant unless she is chargig you for this too.

Would this be reasonable wear and tear considering how long we’ve been there? No - it's damage!
She’s also now saying today (the inspection was last Friday) that there is shrinkage in the carpet, presumably from when I’ve had it cleaned. She’s not said yet how much this would cost if she can’t sort it out. How did you clean it? Did it shrink? (I've never heard of this..)

Is she being unreasonable? Part of me wants to forget it and move on (the moving process has been really stressful and overwhelming) but I don’t want to be diddled out of money if she’s just trying it on.

Wait and see what the finalclaim is. Contest the unreasonable elements. That's what deposit scheme arbitration was introduced for.


* Deposits: payment, protection and return

thatoldchestnut

Okay, fair enough. I had some cleaners in who steam cleaned the carpet and according to Google (I’d not heard of the term before today either) shrinkage sometimes happens if you use equipment that isn’t up to the job. Guess I won’t use them again.

buggy_boy

It does not seem like you are being diddled, G_M has made a very good post.

By the sounds of it you are getting off lightly for the carpets if (not your fault) shrinkage has occurred.

You admit damage to the worktop and £180 seems reasonable, it takes time and skill to replace and a 3m length of worktop can easily be £80+

Wear and tear is just that, it does not cover damage be that intentional or accidental. Ive heard of some trying to claim for things like dust on a bulb or finger prints on a light switch but in your case from the face of it they seem pretty reasonable however annoying it might be I can understand to lose money.