Return of deposit with Blu Tack marks on walls

Return of deposit with Blu Tack marks on walls

11:35 AM, 9th August 2022, About 2 years ago 16

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Hello, I value everybody’s opinion here. I had a long term tenant in a flat which has been quite low maintenance. He asked for new carpet which I provided and 4 days later he gave notice, a month after renewing, which I wasn’t best pleased about.

Anyway, he put posters up on every wall in the flat and used Blu Tack. There are horrible marks everywhere and all the walls need painting, which I wouldn’t have had to do as the flat is in good condition. The contract states plainly that the tenant can put 2 picture hooks on each wall and mustn’t use adhesive material without permission.

He is saying that I should have told him when I visited the flat periodically that this was a problem and he is only going to pay half.

There is also some condensation which he didn’t complain about, strangely, and was always very complimentary of me as a landlord. I would of course have had to decorate that wall anyway, but not the whole flat!

Now he is talking about a crack he mentioned 2 years ago – which is a small settlement crack in a corner, and saying that I should have decorated that area. I would not normally decorate while a tenant is in situ unless there has been a leak or it is very unsightly.

He only mentioned it once and I went to check that it wasn’t an area of concern, in terms of the structure. I thought that was his main worry too. I think he is clutching at straws to reduce his decorating liability.

I don’t like conflict and our relationship was very good, but you know what it’s like when it comes to money – he seems to be getting petty and nasty.

He was also very dirty and managed to clean most of the flat well (after I didn’t pass it the first time) but there is mould around the shower silicone which, if he had sprayed and cleaned it regularly, would not have occurred. I also had to change the toilet seat as it was disgusting but unfortunately I didn’t take a photo of that. The shower unit glass is also very stained and he couldn’t clean it properly as it had been neglected for so long, so that will still need another clean.

I was going to let him off those things but now I don’t think I will…

Do you think I should charge him the full whack for all the walls damaged by the Blu Tack?

Thank you,

Helen


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Comments

Jo Westlake

13:57 PM, 9th August 2022, About 2 years ago

Getting paint to cover BluTac can be tricky as the greasy residue usually shows through. Giving the stain a good rub with UPVc solvent cleaner before painting minimises this.
Overall it all sounds pretty minor and what most of us would expect to do between tenancies. A few new fittings such as toilet seats and shower curtains always make a property look well cared for.

Barbara Gwyer

15:46 PM, 9th August 2022, About 2 years ago

The trouble with Blu Tac is that it leaves an oily residue behind which is why I stipulate in my contracts that it is banned and I explain to new tenants why. It's like a water stain: you have to put stain block over it before applying emulsion otherwise the mark will keep on coming through.

SGhai

15:52 PM, 9th August 2022, About 2 years ago

These are minor issues.What else you need? Just accept the offer.

Helen

11:44 AM, 11th August 2022, About 2 years ago

Thank you everybody for your comments.
The tenant had been there for four years.
I accept that wear and tear is acceptable but the annoying thing is that tenants can blatantly flout the tenancy agreement which clearly states that adhesives are not permitted on walls. This has never happened before and from now on I will re-iterate this on check-in.
Anyway I am taking a philosophical approach and appreciating that some costs of redecorating will be covered, which will help whether I decide to re-let or sell the flat.

Jessie Jones

9:01 AM, 13th August 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Helen at 11/08/2022 - 11:44
Helen, your tenancy can stipulate no smokers and no pets, but good luck with enforcing either of those. Tenants can have fry-ups every day so that the house gets covered in a thin film of grease, and there is nothing you can do about it.
Tenants don't behave in a way that we would like them to, but we don't get to regulate their lives. The money they pay in rent doesn't just entitle them to a roof over their heads; it entitles them to a home until either of you chooses to terminate the agreement. As annoying as blu-tack may be to you, this is a trifling issue. After 4 years I would expect to re-decorate a house top to bottom as I know that the fresh look would add a lot of income I can get in rent.

Chris H

14:30 PM, 15th August 2022, About 2 years ago

Hi

I had to take a bad tenant to court, the Judge stated for fact that no Judge would ever rule for carpets unless a new ishaxminster or equivalent, never for decoration, there being a LL expectation for possible decoration ever 6 months, to be clear I was not claiming for either but she was a helful Judge, received roughly 55% of my claim, which the Judge stated it was because I had pictures and documents, most claims normally recieved 0% to 25% unless a case of tenant trashing a property, even then the payout is normally low, take his offer, well done!

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