Is changing an outside blind considered an alteration?
6 years ago | 3 comments
Tenant has taken carpet, blinds and lampshades!
9:16 AM, 15th March 2024, 2 years ago
16
Hi, I have had a tenant in a 2-bedroom house for one year. At the end of the year, they have ended the tenancy and have now moved out. I have an agent providing a full management service.
At the inspection following the tenant’s leaving, it was discovered the tenant had removed a bedroom carpet (only 1-2 years old), had laminated over a carpet in another bedroom, and had taken away some blinds, lampshades, and bathroom fittings.
They had also not cleaned the property at all, on leaving. When they moved in they did the Zero Deposit scheme and I submitted a claim via the agent to the Zero Deposit people for the cost of replacing carpets, blinds etc.
The cost of this will exceed the 6 weeks’ rent the Zero Deposit scheme says it will pay.
What normally happens in these situations? Will I just have to bear the extra cost myself?
Thanks,
Maureen
Tags:
deposit claims, Landlord Challenges, property damage, property maintenance, rental property management, Tenant Issues
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Over 80 days to reclaim deposit?Related Articles
Tenant left belongings?
3 years ago | 19 comments
The audacity of my tenant has left me bewildered!
3 years ago | 9 comments
Member Since December 2021 - Comments: 43
9:17 AM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Yes you will have to bear the cost unless you want to go down the court route which would be costly and not necessarily find in your favour.
Welcome to being a Landlord
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1589
9:35 AM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
MoneyClaim online (MCOL) for the difference.
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
9:47 AM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
You are unlikely to get anything back, so use MCOL (Money Claim OnLine) – Google it. Only claim for £300, which will cost you £35.
No point in trying to claim more than £300 if there is no chance of getting any money as it will just cost you more in court charges.
If it is a joint tenancy, you can claim against both of them for the same price.
The tenant(s) could dispute this claim but under the circumstances it is very unlikely as they would have to go to court.
At least the tenant(s) would get a CCJ against them.
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 335
10:14 AM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Forget it ,will cost you more in legals to get your money and all the hassle.
Member Since February 2020 - Comments: 360
10:21 AM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Michael Booth at 15/03/2024 – 10:14
I wonder If the previous landlord had taken them to court if this current landlord would have had this problem.
It’s a pity this kind of thing can’t be logged with referencing agencies.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1447 - Articles: 1
10:58 AM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Report to the Police as theft, a criminal offence, and get an incident number. If nothing else will flag up to those employers if tenants seeking a DBS check.
Do you know where they have gone/moved to? Bought or renting? If so let them know you have reported the theft to the Police.
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 236
10:59 AM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
As others have said, MCOL. They’ve gone so you’ve nothing to lose. Just make sure the CCJ is fully registered so as to provide warning to other landlords
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1642 - Articles: 3
12:57 PM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Grumpy Doug at 15/03/2024 – 10:59
This is theft. Report it to the Police. You won’t get anything back, but you’ll have a crime number. Next, land them with a CCJ. Again, you may not get anything back, but it would be money well spent to know future landlords are protected, and the tenants will be unlikely to get credit or rent another property.
It sounds harsh, but my experience has made me so.
Member Since March 2024 - Comments: 2
1:46 PM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 15/03/2024 – 12:57
Definitely not harsh. It’s extremely fair.
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 335
2:28 PM, 15th March 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 15/03/2024 – 12:57
Waste of time l had same thing tenant took fireplace and fire reported to police he said he removed them to decorate the fireplace wall placed it in the back someone came over and stole it no chargers has no proof.