Wear and tear in a rented property

[Deleted User]

If I run my hand down a bannister in the course of normal use, it does not cause a scuff, so scuffs are probably not fair wear and tear in this context. I would touch it up, its low cost and good to do all you can to get the full deposit back.

youth_leader

Scuffs and marks on the wall were highlighted in my 'check out' inventory when I left a rental recently, photographs were taken.  If you can remove them with a 'magic eraser' sponge or paint over them?

lookstraightahead

Rudi1990 said:

AdrianC said:

Rudi1990 said:

Lover_of_Lycra said:

Rudi1990 said:

just bought my first house so will be moving out of the house I have rented for the past 3.5 years.
the house was painted magnolia in every room when I moved in, not freshly painted but clean and tidy.
i have decorated every room apart from one of the bedrooms and the hall/stairs/landing and the paintwork especially on the stairs has some noticeable scuffs etc
would I be expected to paint the marked areas in order to get my bond back or will it be wear and tear?
i have kept the house in great condition otherwise.

How have you decorated? With more magnolia/another neutral colour or in something more daring such as tangerine? Did you get an agreement in writing from your landlord about the decorating? 

I’ve decorated to my own taste - nothing bizarre and yes I had permission - how is this relevant to my original question?

If you hadn't got permission, then you would be very likely to be facing the costs of full redecoration - especially if you painted it a non-neutral colour that's harder to paint over.

Given that you did have permission, did the landlord specify anything about returning to neutral at the end?
If so, then follow that.
If not, then don't worry.

That apart, it's all down to how good a job you did of the painting.
If it's slopped all over, with visible brushmarks and runs, then expect to be charged for remedial work.
If it's a decent, tidy job, then don't worry.

My post isn’t about the decorating I have done, I had permission to do it, used a professional decorator and the landlady has been to the house numerous times and has commented on how lovely I have made it.
my question is regarding the scuff marks to the walls in the hallway and on the stairs - is this classed as wear and tear or would I lose part/all of my deposit if I don’t get it painted?

Yes but did you get permission in writing, otherwise she could argue that at the end of the tenancy it needed to be back to the original colour. it sounds like you did, so that's not a worry.

Angela_D_3

My understanding is that they can no linger claim for wear and tear snd tbh actual damage unless the tenant admits to it is hard to get past the bond people.
my tenants trashed the garden,  i showed photos - didnt care,  they got their bond back.  

Rudi1990

Thanks everyone!
i have a good relationship with my landlady and have improved the house while I have been here - most rooms nicely decorated/new fire & surround fitted/fence put up/garden plants added and patchy lawn fixed etc so I’m hoping all will be acceptable to her, however I will try magic sponge to see if I can at least improve the appearance of the walls on the stairs 😊
ill also be leaving the made to measure wood blinds I had fitted throughout (they are no use in my new home) so hopefully the positives will outweigh the negatives!

Hasbeen

Angela_D_3 said:

My understanding is that they can no linger claim for wear and tear snd tbh actual damage unless the tenant admits to it is hard to get past the bond people.
my tenants trashed the garden,  i showed photos - didnt care,  they got their bond back.  

Is a Bond not different to a cash rental deposit? The authorised rental deposit schemes, I believe do allow claims for actual damage?


"A rent guarantee scheme (or bond scheme) gives your landlord a written guarantee - known as a bond - instead of a cash deposit. If you have problems paying your deposit, the scheme provider will use the bond to pay your landlord - this means you don't have to pay the deposit yourself.

You might have to repay the scheme provider any money paid out through the bond."