Damaged rear door

tallac

A few days ago, the tenants informed me that the rear door has been accidentally damaged by the tenants. It still seems to secure but it does need fixing for practical reasons. I have no reason to believe this was malicious but it may have been due to tenants not being careful. Who should normally cover the cost for this? Is it the tenant or the landlord?

I did a Google search and there seems to be conflicting information.

This website says the landlord: https://www.nrla.org.uk/news/complete-guide-to-accidental-damage-insurance#:~:text=Who is responsible for accidental,repairs needed as a result.

And this one says it is the tenant: https://seekersproperty.co.uk/news/tenant-hub/who-pays-for-accidental-damage-to-rental-property

pramsay13

Landlord .

BobT36

Take a look. Should be obvious whether it's just a minor everyday accident that could happen to you, or whether they've been particularly abusive (even if not intentionally malicious). 
Have they damaged anything else? How far into the tenancy? 

Accidents happen. 

anselld

If the tenant has definitely caused the damage and it is not normal wear and tear then the tenant is responsible for the cost of repair.  It doesn't matter if it was accidental or deliberate.

HampshireH

Landlord fixes recharges tenant.

MultiFuelBurner

You work with good tenants, if they are good tenants go and see the damage and accidents happen and that's the cost of being a LL.

If the tenants have a history of malicious damage then that's a different issue.

anselld

MultiFuelBurner said:

accidents happen and that's the cost of being a LL.

Accidents happen to everyone, tenants are not somehow immune to taking responsibility.

MultiFuelBurner

anselld said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

accidents happen and that's the cost of being a LL.

Accidents happen to everyone, tenants are not somehow immune to taking responsibility.

You do you and I'll do me but as a LL with over 20+ years over 13 properties of different tenants and issues as suggested I would assess the damage and if they are good tenants and it's a one off pay to fix it. Follow up with a letter if required.

Over the years many tenants have improved and fixed things themselves so it's a bit of give and take.

Even if something is blatantly the tenants fault does not mean as LL we will not fix it for free as there are other factors to consider.

Imo being a good landlord does not mean there are clear fault lines you assess each issue as they come along. I would rather keep a good long term paying tenant happy.

K_S

tallac said:

A few days ago, the tenants informed me that the rear door has been accidentally damaged by the tenants. It still seems to secure but it does need fixing for practical reasons. I have no reason to believe this was malicious but it may have been due to tenants not being careful. Who should normally cover the cost for this? Is it the tenant or the landlord?

@tallac There's a bit of nuance and subjectivity to it. According to the Landlord and Tenant Act, the LL is responsible for maintaining and repairing any damage to the structure, windows, doors, roofs, and outer parts of the building. 

So in the first instance, the LL needs to get it sorted.

To determine who ultimately bears the cost, you need to look at how the damage happened. If it happened while the tenant was using it in a tenant-like manner (eg: he left the door ajar while getting something from the car, a strong gust of wind blew the door open and that damaged the hinges), then the LL might be left with the bill. However if it happened otherwise (a drunk friend repeatedly banged on the door-glass and it broke) then the tenant may be responsible.

In practice, based on my past experience as a serial tenant, I suspect most managing agents and LLs would try to get the tenant to pay for it!

lookstraightahead

When we were tenants, we were excellent. Our landlords were mostly excellent too and if we reported something they got it fixed and they paid for it. If we knew we had done something (for example I broke the dishwasher once) then we just paid, but generally if it was 'housey' the landlords paid.

I've also been a landlord and it was in my best interest to fix things.

in this particular situation depending on the damage (and not fur example someone kicking a hole in it) I would say landlord should pay. We had a sticking door once that you had to slam to shut - the paint came off and the door warped but that was hardly our fault as a tenant. 

I have to say that as a tenant if I thought it was unfair I would probably look for somewhere else to live.

 

lookstraightahead

anselld said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

accidents happen and that's the cost of being a LL.

Accidents happen to everyone, tenants are not somehow immune to taking responsibility.

As an extreme, if the tenant broke the door because they fell over an ill fitting paving slab I'd suggest the landlord compromise.