UK Landlord Forum / Life

I have lovely tennants who keep my property clean and tidy, always pay on time and don't usually ask for much, they have been in my property for six years now, and will probably want to stay atleast another six, the problem is, they have a car that has leaked oil all over the driveway, and that has made two or tree soft patches in the Tarmac, does anyone know or can advise as I don't really want to repair while they are there, as it will only happen again, the car has been in the garage around five time and they have spent a fortune trying to get it fixed, the last bill they showed me was just over £1000, so it's not as if they have tried to resolve....would this be an insurance job or is the tennant liable to pay for the damage, or do I wait until they leave and claim the money in the deposit that is with the dps.

If they are going to be there 12 years then you'd have made quite a bit of money in that time from them I'm guessing?  How old was the drive when they moved in?  There will be an element of wear and tear.  They will not be liable to pay for a whole replacement driveway for you.

yes I've made a fair bit, it helped pay off the mortgage in the first few years, and I am now have a good little earner and managed to save a 13k nest egg, the driveway Tarmac was 38 years old from when house was built , that said it doesn't take away the fact that the driveway was affected by the oil and would still be ok and in the same condition of the neighbours drive, which is in good condition...

Join the real world, i'd love it if after 12 years that's all I'd have to worry about is an oil patch.  Consider yourself very fortunate.

Agreed. Take a bath on it.

points taken.

t wasn't exactly an il patch, the Tarmac is lifted and needs repairing.

Hi Charlie
what's the tenancy say? and is it part of the inventory ? if so if they parked a car on what is currently their driveway then they are responsible, however as they are good tenants I would try and negotiate a fair exchange offer to pay half the costs with the instruction that if it happens again they will have to pay the interety of the bill negotiations is key and finding good reliable tenants is often like shooting fish in a barrel if they're going to stay another six years then forking out £500 -£600 shouldn't be that painful as you'll make that back within the first month.

Richie

Hello

My first post.

I would say take this on the chin.

If they are keeping the car it will still drip, have the bad area repaired so it blends in or looks like it's "supposed to be",  dark pavers would do as they can be replaced easy when the time comes.

I would think that the tenants would be very happy with that as they get to keep the car they have spent a fortune on and NOT having to pay anything toward the repair.

Get it done properly, it's deductible.

As the comment above says good tenants need to be looked after, as do good landlords.

Iain