UK Landlord Forum / Life

My tenant moved into my newly refurbished property in March 13.

I received a call from the letting agent saying the wall paper was hanging off the ceiling in the back room due to water damage.

A maintenance man went out an identified the problem as condensation from the hot water tank in the airing cupboard in the bedroom.

It transpired that the tenant felt the cold and kept her heating on 24/7. But she also left the water switched on too.

I asked the letting agent to tell the tenant to switch the heating to radiator heat only and use the immersion heater for the water a few hours a day.

Since then the problem has settled.

However, the bedroom is now a mess. The ceiling paper is falling off by a yard and the newly painted walls are all streaked with water.

I think the tenant should pay for repairs, but the letting agent says it's not her fault that she didn't know how to use the heating system.

Although I left an instruction manual in the house.

Who should pay for this damage?

Tenant is responsible

Do you have a deposit?