Tenants have damaged kitchen cupboard and admitted fault but not paying?

Cuticuraser

Hi all,

I recieved a message from my tenant who have admitted to damaging the kitchen cupboard. They said, "Massive apologies - yesterday our friend accidentally broke a cupboard door off in the kitchen. He has agreed to pay for any damages, so please could you let us know how you would like to fix/replace it and what the cost will be? "

I got a quote, and the tenant accepted so I arranged for the repair.
I have received the invoice from the contractor and have shared this with the tenant but I am not receiving any any response at all. It has now been a week, so I had to pay the contractor out of my own pocket.

The tenancy agreement ends in Feb 2026. What are my options and how do I recover my money? I think the tenant believes that they are not liable as their friend caused the damage.

pramsay13

How much was the repair? If they were expecting a small bill and it's quite large they have maybe had second thoughts.
Easiest way would be waiting and deducting from the deposit using the evidence you have if challenged.

Cuticuraser

The quote was around £400 but I showed them the cost before proceeding with anything and they accepted the quote

Cuticuraser

pramsay13 said:

How much was the repair? If they were expecting a small bill and it's quite large they have maybe had second thoughts.
Easiest way would be waiting and deducting from the deposit using the evidence you have if challenged.

Can I also deduct my time in getting a quote? It wasn't so straight forward, I had to call a few carpenters as the kitchen cupboards were made from solid wood.

Stubod

Cuticuraser said:

pramsay13 said:

How much was the repair? If they were expecting a small bill and it's quite large they have maybe had second thoughts.
Easiest way would be waiting and deducting from the deposit using the evidence you have if challenged.

Can I also deduct my time in getting a quote? It wasn't so straight forward, I had to call a few carpenters as the kitchen cupboards were made from solid wood.

...sighs......

i_like_cats

That quote sounds excessive!  

I suspect your tenant’s friend was expecting £200 maximum which is the most it should cost for a jobbing DIY guy to replace what he may have assumed was an MDF kitchen door.  

It does sound like the point needs clarifying to your tenant that any damage caused by his guest is his responsibility. 

However if he’s in the property for well over a year more, is there anything to be said for eating some or all of the cost yourself?   Can it be claimed on your insurance?

You can’t claim against your tenant for your time spent addressing issues relating to the tenancy, which surely includes repairing accidental damage.  That’s what he’s paying you rent for!

Mr.Generous

Quote the part of the tenancy agreement to them that covers this, the one I use says ...

(27) To make good all damages, breakages and losses to the premises and its contents that may occur during the tenancy caused by any act or omission of the Tenant or any person present with the Tenants consent excluding fair wear and tear

Cuticuraser

i_like_cats said:

That quote sounds excessive!  

I suspect your tenant’s friend was expecting £200 maximum which is the most it should cost for a jobbing DIY guy to replace what he may have assumed was an MDF kitchen door.  

It does sound like the point needs clarifying to your tenant that any damage caused by his guest is his responsibility. 

However if he’s in the property for well over a year more, is there anything to be said for eating some or all of the cost yourself?   Can it be claimed on your insurance?

You can’t claim against your tenant for your time spent addressing issues relating to the tenancy, which surely includes repairing accidental damage.  That’s what he’s paying you rent for!

Well that was the cost as the jointer had to pick up the cupboard and take it to their workshop. Either way I did tell them the price before getting it repaired, to which the tenant agreed.

I have been a very fair landlord and I have always actioned any issues the tenants are facing in a timely manner. I certainly won't be paying for damage that was caused by what seems drunken behaviour.

theartfullodger

If tenants stay for 20 years, who cares.

When they leave see if you have a case

Mr.Generous

theartfullodger said:

If tenants stay for 20 years, who cares.

When they leave see if you have a case

Maybe the fact the landlord has already paid for the repair is why he cares. If they left it without a cupboard door for the 20 years they stayed he wouldn't care, but they reported it, got a quote for the repair they agreed to and then went silent. Get real, anyone would be annoyed.

km1500

£400 for a kitchen cupboard door is way over the top. you don't need a joiner they screw on with hinges