karpman Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 Agreed. Worked in London property for best part of ten years and it grinds my gears when tenants do this. Yeah greedy unreasonable landlords do the same for me. Like I say the two places I have rented it was agreed that the house was fit to return. Yet they kept me waiting for the whole 30 days as stipulated in the contract. There was no reason to make me wait other than they could. Karpman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greymaster Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 I would imagine the Landlord is participating on a similar thread about a snotty tenant on a Landlord's Only forum. The truth of the matter will probably rest somewhere between both points of view and this is what arbitration will determine. OP was happy to stay 3.5 years so couldn't have been too bad a Landlord. Not stated whether rent was increased each year. Parking on grass could have churned up the lawn, and in October, suggest re-turfing it. Why OP thinks it is OK to plough up the lawn with no consequences is not stated. Was OP asked to redecorate throughout? Or just a few grubby stains on walls. Check-in and check-out procedure should ascertain extent of deterioration and whether it was fair wear and tear. From contributions general assumption is that tenant = good, landlord = bad. And that's was the purpose of the original post, to seek validation of this with minimal facts and one-sided point of view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houlsby Posted October 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 There's always one! To satisfy the aboves need for more info. I park my truck on that grass, it's a knock up 3 story house made of cheese with one parking space. So it gets used. I'm considering turfing it to satisfy the landlord, and also willing to do some painting (its scuffs from moving settees out of a three story house, iv not been kicking doors through or trying to defy gravity with them.) but not "the whole house" like he said. The fact is, he's not even seen the house, he's gone on an estate agents comments, whom I fell out with when she DEMANDED I bring a key into their office straight away... And I imagine he's starting to find an excuse as to why he can't give me my deposit back. And I was interested in you guys experiences, and, where I stood. (If the kitchen was to happen to 'appear' in my new kitchen less house :-P) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byjovecarruthers Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 If the kitchen appears in your new kitchenless house that would make you a thief. Two wrongs etc .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 When I use to rent it was in our contract to 'make good any paint work or plaster' so anywhere we'd put picture hooks etc needed filleting and re painting. Which pretty much meant the whole house. For the sake of £80 worth of paint and a bit of effort is it really worth a day in court, check your contract or get someone else to and just get it sorted mate. Any time in court will only look bad for your tickets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogc Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 So, I moved out at the weekend, done it properly and gave him 2 months notice, house is in ok nick.. We've been there 3.5 years with our kid. I get the impression that I'm not getting my deposit back, he rang me last night saying if I didn't paint it and sort the grass where I park my car then I'm not getting my money back, was funny with me about him not having anyone for the next months rent, and was generally quite snotty. Where do I stand in the law, if say, I removed the kitchen? I'm not saying IM GOING TO, just, what happens legally If I did? My deposits in the safe deposit scheme, and is still active.. So I imagine that he's not doing anything to get it back. The tennancy agreement will normally require the tenant to make good any damage, What is damage / wear and tear is open to debate, my deposits look at carpets needing replacement, wallpaper needing repair, remedial works to gardens, damage to fixtures & fittings. There should have been a pre & post tenancy inspection which you should have a copy of. As a landlord it does cheese you off when a tenant walks away, leaving you with a bill way in excess of the deposit to get the property to the required standard for the next tenant. One even left us with a broken toilet which they had tried to hide by using putty to stop the leaks. When I have claimed off the scheme the most I have ever got back was 50% their judgement not mine or the tenants. Most probably the money is held by the landlord just registered with the deposit scheme. Speak to my deposits or whoever holds it, put forward your side of the story, or get agreement with the landlord and get someone in to do the repairs, may be cheaper in the long run. You need to remember however that if the landlord is losing rent due to not being able to let the property due to condition, this may be taken into consideration, not something Ive ever attempted to claim though, Speak to the landlord sometimes a bit of humble pie sorry ill fix that will go a long way. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Rogc is spot on. Keep the sensible head on and be civil. Get as many photos evidence as u can. By sounds of OP's secod post the landlord is going on wot the estate agent has told him and not seen it for himself. So once te landlord see's it he might be ok. If u touch up any scuffs with a paint brush afore he see's it u'll probably be ok. If u look at it a different way that couple off hours off time and pot of paint could earn u ur full deposit back I'm actually a landlord myself (only for my old 1 bed flat thou) so can see both sides. I have been very fortunate in my tennants and always gave the full deposit back, apart from 1 little b *****d who stoped paying rent took about 5 months to get the little toe rag out and yet u would see him in pub drinking knowing he owes u thousands.How i never hit him i'll never know, suppose that's wot having gun tickets does for u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Agreed. Worked in London property for best part of ten years and it grinds my gears when tenants do this. Likewise, it grinds tennants gears when landlords play games with peoples deposits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLuke Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Likewise, it grinds tennants gears when landlords play games with peoples deposits. The difference being that my comment is based on fact rather than a one sided view portrayed here. I think people are very quick to side against landlords as "the big bad property owner" that they are generally not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLuke Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) Yeah greedy unreasonable landlords do the same for me. Like I say the two places I have rented it was agreed that the house was fit to return. Yet they kept me waiting for the whole 30 days as stipulated in the contract. There was no reason to make me wait other than they could. Karpman To be honest the schemes are not always that quick at releasing them but that aside the landlord, by returning within the 30 days, has stuck to their contracted requirement. I don't think you can really complain until they are slower than stated in the contract. The law is heavily in the tenants favour now for deposits though tenants (which incidentally I am) still always feel they get a raw deal Edited October 30, 2013 by LondonLuke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikk Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Deposit = final months rent. Exactly, just don't pay anymore rent. You might lose a few weeks of money but at least you'll get half the deposit back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLuke Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Exactly, just don't pay anymore rent. You might lose a few weeks of money but at least you'll get half the deposit back. OP has already moved out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholiath Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 We lost all or part of many deposits over the years despite being good tenants. they have you by the short and curlies im afraid. and the secured deposit scheme is just as corrupt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 The difference being that my comment is based on fact rather than a one sided view portrayed here. I think people are very quick to side against landlords as "the big bad property owner" that they are generally not. Agreed - any reasonable on-the-ball landlord would quickly spell out exactly what needs to be rectified before the tennant moves out - giving him the opportunity to fix everything up and come to a mutual agreement on what needs to be done to get the full deposit back. If a LL decides to be unreasonable, then they should not be surprised if the tennant becomes unreasonable too. Deposits are usually a months rent these days? That is a huge chunk of cash for alot of people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLuke Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Agreed - any reasonable on-the-ball landlord would quickly spell out exactly what needs to be rectified before the tennant moves out - giving him the opportunity to fix everything up and come to a mutual agreement on what needs to be done to get the full deposit back. If a LL decides to be unreasonable, then they should not be surprised if the tennant becomes unreasonable too. Deposits are usually a months rent these days? That is a huge chunk of cash for alot of people. Agreed Whilst a months rent is a lot for some people it probably represents around 1% of the properties actual value. Given the average deposit is around £900 (at a guess) it really doesn't cover the LL for much were the tenant to crack a few bathroom tiles (needing the floor retiling), break a kitchen cupboard requiring a new door, crack a window requiring a new pane, not take care of the garden and require a few days work...I guess what I'm saying is that it's still quite a lot of liability for the landlord to have as £900 doesn't go far across a few tradesmen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) Agreed Whilst a months rent is a lot for some people it probably represents around 1% of the properties actual value. Given the average deposit is around £900 (at a guess) it really doesn't cover the LL for much were the tenant to crack a few bathroom tiles (needing the floor retiling), break a kitchen cupboard requiring a new door, crack a window requiring a new pane, not take care of the garden and require a few days work...I guess what I'm saying is that it's still quite a lot of liability for the landlord to have as £900 doesn't go far across a few tradesmen. An on-the-ball landlord will make quarterly inspections of the property - and advise the tenant of any issues, and of course choose their tenant wisely. If there is any excess or malicious damage over and above what the deposit can cover - there is always the civil courts. Your contract with the tenant needs to spell all his right and responsibilities. Some LL think property is a risk free and easy investment - well it isn't. Edited October 30, 2013 by aris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLuke Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 An on-the-ball landlord will make quarterly inspections of the property - and advise the tenant of any issues, and of course choose their tenant wisely. If there is any excess or malicious damage over and above what the deposit can cover - there is always the civil courts. Your contract with the tenant needs to spell all his right and responsibilities. Some LL think property is a risk free and easy investment - well it isn't. Might just be me but are we not "fighting" the same argument?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) Might just be me but are we not "fighting" the same argument?! You mean agreeing with each other? Sounds like it Edited October 30, 2013 by aris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLuke Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 You mean agreeing with each other? Sounds like it Ah yes, that's a better phrase! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootgun Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Deposits are usually a months rent these days? That is a huge chunk of cash for alot of people. I'm due to move house in 2 weeks time, and i paid already 6 weeks rent as deposit, plus a months rent... that's a lot of money... i did ask for written permission fo everithing you can think of ( sky dish, virgin, gun cabinet, shower screen ) and i hope i won't have any trouble at the end of the tenancy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 I'm due to move house in 2 weeks time, and i paid already 6 weeks rent as deposit, plus a months rent... that's a lot of money... i did ask for written permission fo everithing you can think of ( sky dish, virgin, gun cabinet, shower screen ) and i hope i won't have any trouble at the end of the tenancy... Have they inspected yet? If not, make sure they do it now - BEFORE you move out, so you can rectify anything. They can do a final inspection after you vacate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 ... i paid already 6 weeks rent as deposit, plus a months rent... That is now the norm around Brighton and I'm told, most of the South East. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRNDL Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 I have had bad tenants in the past that have done "minor damage" to the property. It pays to cut your losses as a landlord, buy some filler and hire a carpet cleaner and spend a day on a deep clean ready for the next occupiers. Yes, in an ideal world the property should be left as it was found (minus ware and tare) but messing around for a few hundred quid is a waste of time IMO. Out with the old and in with the new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houlsby Posted October 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 Well, he's been. Started complaining about 'it needs cleaning' 'It needs painting' 'It needs new carpets' And, he wants a contribution. Anyone got any idea what to do next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJon Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 After 3 years it should need carpets and painting - wear and tear. Check your deposit scheme and contact them asking for everything back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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