"Fair Wear and Tear"

[AceyJC]

Hi guys; apologies for what's almost certainly the billionth thread of this type that you've seen, but I'd really value your opinions!

 

In short, my flatmate and I spent hours and hours cleaning our old flat in preparation for moving out (seriously, the place was as clean as anyone could have hoped), yet the letting agency/landlord is still deducting money for carpet cleaning.

 

Here's the email my flatmate was sent:

 

Hi [flatmate's name],

 

Thank you for emailing us your details. .

 

I am waiting for [AceyJC] to confirm that all bills have been paid then I

can process the deposit.

 

When I inspected the flat, I felt that it hadn't been left quite as

clean as I had hoped. The front bedroom carpet was considerably more

stained than it had been when you and [AceyJC] moved in. The kitchen and

bathroom required some cleaning as well as removing dust from skirtings

and door ledges.

 

We also noticed that the bedding from the front room was badly soiled

and had been dyes as a result I think, of putting through a machine with

a pair of jeans. Towels also were dyed blue.

 

We employed a cleaning company we sue regularly who carried out cleaning

and shampooed the front bedroom carpet. The total cost of this work was

111.62 pounds. We are waiting for the owner to forward to us receipts

for replacement of bedding, towels etc.

 

Normally we would deduct any expenses from the deposit and then refund

equally what is left. If that is not the case then I would need [AceyJC]

to confirm that the deductions should solely be made from him. Perhaps

you could get him to confirm to me by email what he would prefer to be

done with the remainder of the deposit.

 

Kind regards,

 

[letting agent]

 

There were no significant marks on the floor. We did not damage the flat in the slightest; certainly not beyond the threshold of "fair wear and tear".

 

Stupidly, I didn't take any photos when we were moving out, so I'm concerned that it's just my word against theirs.

 

We're in Scotland, btw, so I don't think our deposit is protected. I'm really angry at the prospect of having to lose around £150 for unjustified cleaning.

 

edit: Oh, btw, I have no idea what they're on about re "badly soiled" sheets and "blue towels"!

Edited April 20, 2010 by AceyJC

[Planner]

Obviously your in Scotland and I have no particular expertise on that, but in terms of fair wear and tear:

 

1) Stained front bedroom carpet - stained carpet wouldnt be fair wear and tear imho;

 

2) Kitchen and bathroom - would depend on how clean they where in first place;

 

3) Dust on skirtings - would depend on how dusty they where in first palce;

 

4) Soiled/dyed bedding - wouldnt be fair wear and tear imho;

 

5) Towels dyed blue - wouldnt be fair wear and tear imho.

 

You saying that they are lying/over exagerating about the above? Was there a condition schedule when they moved in?

[AceyJC]

Obviously your in Scotland and I have no particular expertise on that, but in terms of fair wear and tear:

 

1) Stained front bedroom carpet - stained carpet wouldnt be fair wear and tear imho;

 

2) Kitchen and bathroom - would depend on how clean they where in first place;

 

3) Dust on skirtings - would depend on how dusty they where in first palce;

 

4) Soiled/dyed bedding - wouldnt be fair wear and tear imho;

 

5) Towels dyed blue - wouldnt be fair wear and tear imho.

 

You saying that they are lying/over exagerating about the above? Was there a condition schedule when they moved in?

 

The kitchen and bathroom were left cleaner than when we found them.

 

They are exaggerating massively on the "floor staining" issue.

[tryingtobeindependent]

I guess it's your word against theirs, especially as no photos were taken.

I can't believe how landlords/agencies try to rip people off.

 

I suppose you could have asked them for proof but as theyve already had the carpets cleaned now, obviously this can't be done.

 

I moved into a flat recently and the carpets are a state, old and stained and there's an iron mark on the living room carpet. I really should take pictures now to try to prove these marks were already there, after reading your post I'm worried!

 

I'm not sure what you can do though really, do you have a citizens advice in Scotland?