Landlord using deposit to decorate

skyblues87

I’ve moved out of my rental property after 4 years, when I moved in it had clearly been a while since it had been decorated.

The agent is now withholding the entire deposit saying the house needs decorating. Now I agree it does need decorating and I know there’s nothing that specifically states how often a landlord should decorate but surely the cost of decorating once every 5-10 years should be on the landlord?

The property has been returned in better condition than when I moved in so that is what I will be challenging them on but was just curious what the ‘norm’ was regarding routine decorating.

SameOldRoundabout

I’d regard that as fair wear and tear unless you’ve left huge pen drawings on the walls or something! Do you have photos of when you moved in and out? Where is your deposit held? You can bypass the agent, simply tell them you do not agree with them deducting any of the deposit and you’ll be going via the deposit scheme mediation. It’s not a quick process, but it is fair. You need evidence though. 

Windofchange

You are not liable for wear and tear, so any normal degradation in things as a result of using them, or living within them is not on your head. However, wear and tear it would seem gives a fair amount of ambiguity that certain landlords like to prey upon. Is your deposit held in a deposit protection scheme? If so, they will mediate and make a decision on the appropriateness of any deductions. If you had a checklist or took photos when you moved in, use these to prove the state of the place on move in day four years ago. 

skyblues87

SameOldRoundabout said:

I’d regard that as fair wear and tear unless you’ve left huge pen drawings on the walls or something! Do you have photos of when you moved in and out? Where is your deposit held? You can bypass the agent, simply tell them you do not agree with them deducting any of the deposit and you’ll be going via the deposit scheme mediation. It’s not a quick process, but it is fair. You need evidence though. 

Funnily enough the previous occupant had kids and there was drawings, well scrawls, on the walls along with stickers which I've cleaned off so its actually being handed back in better condition than I received it in! 

The deposit is with the deposit protection scheme and I'll certainly be disputing it. 

skyblues87

Windofchange said:

You are not liable for wear and tear, so any normal degradation in things as a result of using them, or living within them is not on your head. However, wear and tear it would seem gives a fair amount of ambiguity that certain landlords like to prey upon. Is your deposit held in a deposit protection scheme? If so, they will mediate and make a decision on the appropriateness of any deductions. If you had a checklist or took photos when you moved in, use these to prove the state of the place on move in day four years ago. 

It was the ambiguity I was curious about really and trying to get some idea of what any landlords would expect. Personally if I was a landlord I wouldn't consider having to give the place a coat of paint (and it would be a one coat job) every 5+ years to be anything more than wear and tear. Especially as it is in a 'posh' area and not cheap rent by any stretch of the imagination. 

The deposit is with the deposit protection scheme so I'll certainly be disputing it. I have evidence from my side although I doubt the agent does as they did no check in or check out and their inspections are poorly documented. 

notrouble

skyblues87 said:

...
The property has been returned in better condition than when I moved in so that is what I will be challenging them on but was just curious what the ‘norm’ was regarding routine decorating.

That's all that matters. You are not responsible for fair wear and tear during your tenancy, and certainly not responsible for damage or wear and tear during the previous tenancy!

Raise a dispute via the scheme.