A furious tenant has publicly challenged their landlord after receiving a detailed bill for £412 in deposit deductions, including charges for limescale in a kettle and dust behind a fridge.
The Bizarre Breakdown of Charges
In a heated text exchange shared online, the landlord justified withholding almost half of the tenant's £825 bond with a list of specific, and what many would consider unreasonable, costs. The itemised charges included £85 for "flattened carpet fibres" after a two-year tenancy, £60 for a loose light switch, £55 to repaint a scuffed wall, £40 for limescale in a kettle, and £22 for dust behind a fridge.
When the tenant expressed disbelief, the landlord insisted the deductions were "standard" and "very normal," arguing that "wear has a cost" and the property must be returned "as close to original as possible."
Tenant Fights Back with Evidence
The tenant, however, was prepared. They countered the landlord's claims by referencing a pre-existing inventory and photographic evidence. "The wall was already marked when I moved in. I sent you photos. You even replied 'noted'," the tenant stated. They also pointed out that the check-in report explicitly described the carpet as "already worn," making a charge for further wear and tear unjustifiable.
"Because time exists. Because paint ages. Because human beings live in homes. That is not damage," the tenant argued, highlighting the fundamental legal principle of 'fair wear and tear', for which tenants are not financially responsible.
Dispute Heads for Official Adjudication
The exchange escalated, with the landlord accusing the tenant of being "rude," while the tenant retorted that the landlord was "hiding behind procedure" to help themselves to hundreds of pounds. The landlord eventually suggested the tenant was "free to raise a dispute through the deposit scheme," to which the tenant confirmed they had already begun the process.
"I already am. And I am uploading every photo, every check-in note, and every message you ever sent acknowledging existing damage," the renter replied, demonstrating the importance of thorough documentation.
Public Outcry and Shared Experiences
The text conversation was reshared in a video by British property strategist Jack Rooke, who stated plainly, "Yeah, he can't charge for that. It's scary how many people do this." His post prompted a flood of responses from others who had faced similar battles.
One person revealed their landlord tried to charge £200 for a broken shelf in a fridge the tenant had bought themselves for £90. Another was billed £30 for cobwebs found during an inspection three weeks after they had vacated. A third recounted a three-month dispute over condensation in old double-glazed windows, which they eventually won, getting their full deposit back.
This case serves as a stark reminder for both tenants and landlords. Tenants must meticulously document a property's condition at move-in and know their rights regarding fair wear and tear. Landlords, meanwhile, must ensure any deposit deductions are legitimate, reasonable, and backed by evidence, or risk losing at adjudication and damaging their reputation.
