Landlord wants to take Mattress Protector costs amongst others...

ConfusedTenant2021

We left all the mattress protectors, there are no stains on them etc. But Agent has charged us because he says they look 'Second Hand'. Surely this is normal wear and tear? 

Additionally, we had it professionally cleaned with an end of tenancy service, but they still want to take some money off for additional cleaning - and have booked this without our consent (As new tenants moving in soon), and trying to charge for this!! 

This could have probably been covered by our end of tenancy cleaners as part of their guarantee, so do we have to pay for this extra cost? 

Unsure how this works. Obviously will pay if it's right, but sounded a bit off so just thought to double check. 

Thanks for any help in advance!

bouicca21

I’d be inclined to point out that the mattress protectors have been used throughout the tenancy and so are indeed secondhand.  All that matters is that they are clean.  As for the cleaning, your obligation is to leave the place as clean as you found it.  Can they prove it isn’t?

Is your deposit protected - just go ahead and claim it from the deposit scheme.

MaryNB

Sounds like you should just claim your deposit back directly from the scheme in which it is held. With regards to cleaning, unless he has proof (i.e. photos) that you left the flat in a worse condition than you found it he can't any money off. Professional cleaning isn't enforceable to being with. You just have to leave it as you found it.

grumiofoundation

As above. This is what the deposit scheme is for. If you don't think their proposed deductions are correct you can dispute them via the appropriate scheme.

cheeky-peach

As above, as long as you have evidence and are happy to pursue your deposit via the protection scheme which can be long winded, do it! 

I should add, I was charged for a mattress protector when I moved out of my last rental. I had taken it to get it professionally cleaned but when I tried to return it to my LL they refused it and said they'd charge me for a new one. I ended up posting the mattress protector and receipt etc back to the DPS with a copy of the refusal to accept. Needless to say, I didn't pay for a replacement.

theartfullodger

As above, dispute through deposit scheme.  Stupid, greedy, landlord and agent 

Artful: landlord since 2000

FreeBear

I regard mattress protectors to be a consumable - They are inexpensive and hardly worth keeping after a couple of years. Even if the LL or agent wants to keep them for the next tenant, expecting them to look new is laughable.

AdrianC

FreeBear said:

I regard mattress protectors to be a consumable - They are inexpensive and hardly worth keeping after a couple of years. Even if the LL or agent wants to keep them for the next tenant, expecting them to look new is laughable.

...and that's precisely why the arbitrators will just laugh at the landlord over it.

Even if brand new, the expected life is minimal. Depreciate that proportionately, and there's three-quarters of sod all claimable, even if there's mahoosive skid marks down it.

It's not as if they're expensive, either... Swedish embassy, £7.50 for king size.

lookstraightahead

cheeky-peach said:

As above, as long as you have evidence and are happy to pursue your deposit via the protection scheme which can be long winded, do it! 

I should add, I was charged for a mattress protector when I moved out of my last rental. I had taken it to get it professionally cleaned but when I tried to return it to my LL they refused it and said they'd charge me for a new one. I ended up posting the mattress protector and receipt etc back to the DPS with a copy of the refusal to accept. Needless to say, I didn't pay for a replacement.

I love this 😂

csgohan4

Remind the LL what does a mattress protector do?

Murphybear

I love the comment in the first post that the mattress protector “looks second hand”.  Not sure what else it could look like 

If I rented a furnished property I would buy my own mattress protector and take it with me when I left.