Tenancy deposit reduction due to rusty tile grout

Moskovite

Hi, 

I've just ended my rather enjoyable 3,5 years tenancy and the letting agency advised me that they were "looking to make a deduction for making good to the rust stains on the tiles in the guest W.C.". The "stains" are mentioned in the inventory check out report. 

I'm attaching the pictures so you can judge for yourself. The affected area is just a couple of tiles around the area where the landlord's metallic toilet brush stands.

Agency claims the landlord could not remove/wash away it when they tried but I'm sceptical about the attempt or the remedies used. So now agency invited a contractor to provide a quote on cost of repair including replacing the grout altogether. 

This looks like a wear and tear to me and I sense it's used as an excuse to deduct something from my deposit.

What are your thoughts and suggestions? 

Thanks

My photo:

Inventory report:

janoid19

I had rust on my tiles in the bathroom from the metal feet from some little shelves and it came off straight away with the 'Pink Stuff'.
Or surely a tiny bit of bleach would bleach the grout back to white.

Seems excessive to me to take money from your deposit for that

Mineral1

Nah, no way. That should clean off with the right chemicals. No way i'd let deposit monies be taken for that.

greatcrested

Seems unlikely it could not be cleaned by a cleaner at whatever cost the cleaner charges.

Also sems pretty petty.

Raise a dispute and see what the arbitrators say.

What does the check-in inventory show?

Post 3: Deposits: Payment, Protection and Return.

saajan_12

Two parts to damages claims. (1) is pretty clear in the LL's favour, but (2) is more debatable
1) Is it tenant's responsibility?
Yes, this is a cleaning issue. A toilet brush is effectively furniture / things provided for your convenience during the tenancy, similar to vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers etc. Its still your responsibility to clean around them. Rust and decolouration was as a  result of not cleaning that specific area, and the fact that the surrounding area is not damaged shows it is not wear & tear. 

2) Cost of remediation 
This depends on how hard it really is to get rid of that damage / discolouration. Sometimes it'll just wipe off, while others its really ground in after years of building up. So impossible to say from afar really. Ultimately, it'll depend on whether the deposit scheme arbiter believes a statement / proof from the cleaner saying that it couldn't be cleaned off. 

sammyjammy

What nonsense!  No additional advice to impart but I love that tiled floor 

SpiderLegs

Forget the deposit. The OP really should serve some jail time for causing damage like this. 

JGB1955

That's a 20p job - bleach and bicarb mixed, leave for 12 hours, rinse off, sorted.

AdrianC

What did the check-in photos look like, and when?

Let the deposit protection arbitrators figure it out.

es5595

Is there anything on the check in inventory? Is there photo evidence of the lack of rust stains at check in? Or a similar photo to your check out one? 

dimbo61

That needs cleaning with the right products.
Fab bathroom