What percentage of deposit should I deduct

Justtryingtoask

Chief_of_Staffy said:

Exodi said:

Justtryingtoask said:

Lodger left huge amount of stuff in room and a lot of mouldy food in fridge. Didn't clean and left loaned bedding dirty, crumpled and stuffed at bottom of wardrobe.

What percentage of lodger's deposit should I deduct?

Did you expect the lodger to take their tomato ketchup, milk and butter with them?

It's been a long time since I rented, but when I did I do recall having some kind of receptacle into which I was able to put my unwanted food and other waste. I think it was called a 'bin'. I also discovered that by spending a couple of hours with a vacuum cleaner and cleaning products, I could not only leave the house like I found it, but show myself to be someone of integrity rather than a lazy, dirty nomark with no respect for myself or anyone else.

Phew thanks Exodi - I was beginning to wonder what sort of hornets' nest this forum actually is? To be accused of "rage baiting" for asking a question and called a bad landlord for expecting my lodger not to leave mouldy food and other detrius behind? Just Wow. Lodger also has told me they are away and won't pick their stuff up for 2 weeks. The amount of stuff they left fills 6 bin bags, if that helps whoever asked.  It is lodgers and tenants like this which put people like myself off sharing my home with them. 

saajan_12

Uriziel said:

Why are you asking for a percentage and not an amount? How do we know how much your deposit is? Maybe it is $10k? Maybe it is $500? I'd probably take £100. Cleaning is your problem and not his unless he left permanent damage. I never understood why landlords think that tenants have to clean the flat so the next tenant can move in..? Is it their property or the tenants..? Do you clean hotel rooms before leaving..?

Fully agree with you that a set % would never make sense and its the actual £ amount needed to remedy issues which were the tenant's responsibility. 

However cleaning can indeed be the lodger's responsibility if that's their agreement. They don't have to make it sparkling for a new lodger (note not tenant) but they do have to leave it substantially in the same condition as when they received it - think clear of rubbish and broom swept. Hotels is a different service entirely and not comparable - you don't have a 10am check out and room cleaning service with a lodging. 

Justtryingtoask

Chief_of_Staffy said:

Exodi said:

Justtryingtoask said:

Lodger left huge amount of stuff in room and a lot of mouldy food in fridge. Didn't clean and left loaned bedding dirty, crumpled and stuffed at bottom of wardrobe.

What percentage of lodger's deposit should I deduct?

Did you expect the lodger to take their tomato ketchup, milk and butter with them?

It's been a long time since I rented, but when I did I do recall having some kind of receptacle into which I was able to put my unwanted food and other waste. I think it was called a 'bin'. I also discovered that by spending a couple of hours with a vacuum cleaner and cleaning products, I could not only leave the house like I found it, but show myself to be someone of integrity rather than a lazy, dirty nomark with no respect for myself or anyone else.

Thanks Chief of Staffi - not sure where my reply went so posting another. Wow! I was beginning to lose hope reading some of the other comments.  Thank goodness there are some of us left who believe in treating others with respect.  It has certainly put me off sharing my home with a lodger again and this forum has shown me what is out there! To whoever asked, 6 bin bags full of "stuff" plus mouldy food and no clean.  Good luck to those of you who think this is a home owner's job (ps I am not landlord - lodger was not a tenant sharing my home)

Justtryingtoask

Retro_Bunny said:

What it costs, not a percentage.
As a tenant I left a flat immaculate, but as an oversight, forgot to clean the oven. The landlord phoned apologetic that they'd have to charge £30 for an oven clean (few years back) and would I mind. I said no and apologised too, and onwards we went.
If they'd phoned up saying 20% because I left the oven dirty, its a different story.
Just charge what it costs you and everyone is happy.

seems fair

Justtryingtoask

Justtryingtoask said:

Chief_of_Staffy said:

Exodi said:

Justtryingtoask said:

Lodger left huge amount of stuff in room and a lot of mouldy food in fridge. Didn't clean and left loaned bedding dirty, crumpled and stuffed at bottom of wardrobe.

What percentage of lodger's deposit should I deduct?

Did you expect the lodger to take their tomato ketchup, milk and butter with them?

It's been a long time since I rented, but when I did I do recall having some kind of receptacle into which I was able to put my unwanted food and other waste. I think it was called a 'bin'. I also discovered that by spending a couple of hours with a vacuum cleaner and cleaning products, I could not only leave the house like I found it, but show myself to be someone of integrity rather than a lazy, dirty nomark with no respect for myself or anyone else.

Thanks Chief of Staffi - not sure where my reply went so posting another. Wow! I was beginning to lose hope reading some of the other comments.  Thank goodness there are some of us left who believe in treating others with respect.  It has certainly put me off sharing my home with a lodger again and this forum has shown me what is out there! To whoever asked, 6 bin bags full of "stuff" plus mouldy food and no clean.  Good luck to those of you who think this is a home owner's job (ps I am not landlord - lodger was not a tenant sharing my home)

typo sorry I am not a landlord - they were a lodger, sharing my home and not a tenant

Myci85

Amazed how many people on here suggesting this sort of behaviour is acceptable and to be expected. I know the 'leave no trace behind' saying is to do with camping in the countryside etc, but I have always applied that to rentals too. Why should I leave my mess behind for someone else to clear up? You're paying to stay in a house, roof over your head etc, not paying to use the place as a dumping ground. 

Makes sense why so many campsites and festival sites are left in the horrendous state they are if so many people think that it is someone else's job to clear up after them. 

Skiddaw1

Myci85 said:

Amazed how many people on here suggesting this sort of behaviour is acceptable and to be expected. I know the 'leave no trace behind' saying is to do with camping in the countryside etc, but I have always applied that to rentals too. Why should I leave my mess behind for someone else to clear up? You're paying to stay in a house, roof over your head etc, not paying to use the place as a dumping ground. 

Makes sense why so many campsites and festival sites are left in the horrendous state they are if so many people think that it is someone else's job to clear up after them. 

I quite agree. I was rather disturbed to see how much grief the OP has received for what- to me- was a perfectly reasonable post. 

RAS

If the tenant has not removed their possessions, they have not yet left the property. 

So you can't dispose of anything, or let the room. And they owe you two weeks lodging fee.

The amount you take out of the deposit depends on the state after they have removed their belongings.

Justtryingtoask

RAS said:

If the tenant has not removed their possessions, they have not yet left the property. 

So you can't dispose of anything, or let the room. And they owe you two weeks lodging fee.

The amount you take out of the deposit depends on the state after they have removed their belongings.

The agreement was they left on 3rd October, they had been given 6 weeks' notice prior to this date.  It is my home and I wanted that room back for my family.  They were lodging in my home.

RAS

That's irrelevant. They didn't vacate on 3 October and won't do so until two weeks later.

You can't bin their belongings. If they were a tenant vacating and leaving belongings behind, you have to put a notice in the window advising you will dispose of stuff after a set date. And they'll be back before the deadline.

If you can get read receipts, by all means tell them now that if it isn't removed the day after they are due back, you will dispose of stuff.

Does your lodging agreement allow you to deduct rent?