Kitchen surfaces used as breadboards.

nnb

As a renter, I have to say I'd expect to lose some deposit over that as it is more than basic wear and tear and was totally avoidable. Sounds like you may have sorted the deposit already but honestly I would not hesitate to deduct if I were you.

Even if they're struggling financially, you can get a chopping board for a quid in a pound shop - less in a charity shop or car boot sale if you don't mind second hand. And some people even give away brand new stuff for free...

Personally, I love chopping boards and heat resist trays and have far too many of both for one person. I'm always taken aback when I see someone use the actual worktop for food prep unless it's a restaurant...

canaldumidi

This is damage, not 'fair wear ad tear', so can be claimed for.

The amount claimable should take account of age and 'betterment'. This is related to the expected life expectancy of the kitchen units, so depends on the quality of the units to start with.  A cheap kitchen might be expected to last, say, 10 years  (I'm no expert so no idea!), whereas a 'quality' one might be 15 or 20???

So if cheap (10) and it's now "7-8" years old (let's say 8) it only has 2 years life left so you claim 2/10th of the replacement cost.

Adjust figures appropriately.

wilfred30

I agree.  It is damage that was easily avoidable.

However, it's entirely up to you if you claim for it or not.  Although, if you did, I think it's likely that your (reasonable) claim would be upheld.

GDB2222

canaldumidi said:

This is damage, not 'fair wear ad tear', so can be claimed for.

The amount claimable should take account of age and 'betterment'. This is related to the expected life expectancy of the kitchen units, so depends on the quality of the units to start with.  A cheap kitchen might be expected to last, say, 10 years  (I'm no expert so no idea!), whereas a 'quality' one might be 15 or 20???

So if cheap (10) and it's now "7-8" years old (let's say 8) it only has 2 years life left so you claim 2/10th of the replacement cost.

Adjust figures appropriately.

I’m astonished that kitchens are treated as fast fashion items. We moved in 25 years ago, and we put in a new kitchen. Nothing lavish, with laminate chipboard worktops. There’s been a bit of wear (we brought up 5 rowdy teenagers here), but everything is in reasonable condition to last another 25 years.

 I’m not clear whether the OP’s tenant is moving out or staying on?

canaldumidi

GDB2222 said:

canaldumidi said:

This is damage, not 'fair wear ad tear', so can be claimed for.

The amount claimable should take account of age and 'betterment'. This is related to the expected life expectancy of the kitchen units, so depends on the quality of the units to start with.  A cheap kitchen might be expected to last, say, 10 years  (I'm no expert so no idea!), whereas a 'quality' one might be 15 or 20???

So if cheap (10) and it's now "7-8" years old (let's say 8) it only has 2 years life left so you claim 2/10th of the replacement cost.

Adjust figures appropriately.

I’m astonished that kitchens are treated as fast fashion items. We moved in 25 years ago, and we put in a new kitchen. Nothing lavish, with laminate chipboard worktops. There’s been a bit of wear (we brought up 5 rowdy teenagers here), but everything is in reasonable condition to last another 25 years.

 I’m not clear whether the OP’s tenant is moving out or staying on?

I did say my figures were to be adjusted!

I had a new, cheapish, B&Q kitchen put in 15 years ago and it still in pretty good condition somaybe you should double my estimates above!

badger09

getmore4less said:

badger09 said:

Slithery said:

Just put in your next tenancy agreement that only sliced bread is allowed in the property.

And absolutely no carrots, tomatoes, beetroot, avocado, raw meat, raw chicken etc etc are to be chopped 

Or, you could supply a couple of these & hope they take the hint
https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-glass-marble-effect-worktop-saver/p/0510020

Alright for putting things on but they will destroy knives.

Stick to wood or plastic, the latter can go in dishwasher which make them more practical

Agreed, but if tenant can't use common sense, better their knives are destroyed than the landlord's worktops.

I have several clear glass worktop savers on our inherited solid oak worktops. I also use wooden bread boards and plastic chopping boards on top of them. But then I am borderline paranoid as I have to avoid cross contamination due to food intolerance and hygiene obsession  

saajan_12

lesalanos said:

How much will it cost to replace? 

I do not think that you would not be able to claim the full price, allow for wear & tear

It's probably not worth claiming anything from the deposit for me 

BikingBud said:

lesalanos said:

How much will it cost to replace? 

I do not think that you would not be able to claim the full price, allow for wear & tear

It's probably not worth claiming anything from the deposit for me 

What wear and tear, there is deliberate and avoidable damage.

People claim for properties that are dirty why not for avoidable damage.

I would push for retention to enable restoration and let the deposit scheme work it out.

This is damage that could have been avoided by using the kitchen appropriately (ie with chopping boards), I don't think anyone's claiming the nicks and scratches are wear & tear, so there should be some charge

However there will be some wear & tear expected, so the cost of restoring / replacing with new would be too much. 

Basically the worktops should have lasted X years through wear & tear. They actually only lasted 8 years due to the tenants' damage. So the LL can't charge for 8 years worth of normal wear & tear, but can charge for (X-8) years of lost use. 

canaldumidi

saajan_12 said:

lesalanos said:

How much will it cost to replace? 

I do not think that you would not be able to claim the full price, allow for wear & tear

It's probably not worth claiming anything from the deposit for me 

BikingBud said:

lesalanos said:

How much will it cost to replace? 

I do not think that you would not be able to claim the full price, allow for wear & tear

It's probably not worth claiming anything from the deposit for me 

What wear and tear, there is deliberate and avoidable damage.

People claim for properties that are dirty why not for avoidable damage.

I would push for retention to enable restoration and let the deposit scheme work it out.

...
Basically the worktops should have lasted X years through wear & tear. They actually only lasted 8 years due to the tenants' damage. So the LL can't charge for 8 years worth of normal wear & tear, but can charge for (X-8) years of lost use. 

Be interested in people's views on 'X'. How long should a kitchen reasonably be expected tolast.....?

FreeBear

canaldumidi said:

saajan_12 said:

lesalanos said:

How much will it cost to replace? 

I do not think that you would not be able to claim the full price, allow for wear & tear

It's probably not worth claiming anything from the deposit for me 

BikingBud said:

lesalanos said:

How much will it cost to replace? 

I do not think that you would not be able to claim the full price, allow for wear & tear

It's probably not worth claiming anything from the deposit for me 

What wear and tear, there is deliberate and avoidable damage.

People claim for properties that are dirty why not for avoidable damage.

I would push for retention to enable restoration and let the deposit scheme work it out.

...
Basically the worktops should have lasted X years through wear & tear. They actually only lasted 8 years due to the tenants' damage. So the LL can't charge for 8 years worth of normal wear & tear, but can charge for (X-8) years of lost use. 

Be interested in people's views on 'X'. How long should a kitchen reasonably be expected to last.....?

For a decent laminate worktop, 20-30 years,

The kitchen I ripped out here was over 25 years old, and the worktop was still in good condition.

jennifernil

Our kitchen is now over 34 years old and still looks good.

Cutting anything straight on a worktop is most certainly avoidable damage!