UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello!

There is significant water damage on the wooden window frames in the flat due to condensation and possibly underheating. All the frames are very dirty/mouldy and in spider webs. It doesn't look like my tenant ever cleaned the windows. A ventilation unit was broken (fixed now) for some time and it could have added to the problem. What is the best way to go about deducting money for window repairs from the deposit as it seems it was a combination of tenants lack of cleaning/ underheating etc and  temporary ventilation issues on my side. Tenant keeps saying that it all happened due to broken ventilation unit and insist he has been cleaning regularly and used the heating regularly. A few contractors attended to give quotes. They all say it is due to ventilation/underheating issues. Thanks!

Do you have photographs showing the state of the windows when they moved in? I assume they are older windows? If the tenant had reported the ventilation unit was broken,and you failed to fix it,it will be very hard to argue that he should pay.If you had contractors in it sounds as if you are planning to have new windows put in,and  he may well challenge your right to deduct money for that.   

Thank you for your reply. We had no idea the ventilation unit was not working as the last years  maintenances was postponed due coronavirus  and tenants reported nothing. An engineer told me it was not working properly during plumbing repairs visit. I do have photos of the windows but not of all the windows. Inventory report says all the windows were in good condition though.I need to sell the property and the sooner i fix windows the sooner i can do viewings. According to TDS, it is up to me whether to do repairs now or obtain the quote and negotiate with  contractors...

Clean them.
Paint them.
Sell.

If you can deduct an amount by agreement that covers painting costs then happy days. If you push towards fighting it through the Deposit Scheme it could take you ages and the outcome is uncertain.