What Is Fair Wear And Tear?

[Scarlett]

I rent a room and since I spend most of my time sitting on the edge of my bed, I've noticed that a patch of the carpet where my feet go is nearly threadbare. I am worried that I will be charged for a new carpet by my landlord, but I have been on that bit of carpet now for 9 years. The rest of the carpet is fine, just that one bit! As a landlord myself, my tenants ruined the carpets and I was told to just replace them (by the estate agent) as they were 10 years old and basically needed replacing. I did this, no problem. Do you think this is reasonable wear and tear, and that my landlord should just buy a new carpet at some point?

[TonyV]

Ok but because of your living conditions and disability have you considered contacting your local council to see if they can help you?

[Peter Pedant]

as a LL if a tenant said - we have worn the carpets - dja wanna replace them, I would say no.

what was the other question - am I likely to be charged when I leave - depends on the LL and T
yes and no

sorry not to get really involved in this - it is a carpet for chrissakes - get a rug from poundsaver and put it in the worn spot ...

[Cloverjo]

I can’t imagine a landlord would charge you for a patch by your bed where most people would place their feet when getting up.

If you were to move out your landlord would probably replace the carpet to attract new tenants, and the old one would go as fair wear and tear.

Just out of interest, how did your tenants ruin your carpets? I had a cat which scratched my carpet to heck when I was a tenant. I kept the place lovely but always put a rug over the bald patch when the landlord came round. I felt guilty when I moved out.

[Cloverjo]

He didn’t charge me.

[david small]

Fair wear and tear in my brothers opinion and he has five houses rented out. Buy a small rug, and don’t worry about the small stuff.

[TonyV]

Succinct and to the point PP, I just think there maybe some more underlying and more important issues.

[Cloverjo]

When my son weed on the sofa in my furnished house I dried it front of the gas fire and it got burnt. I told my landlord and offered to get it re-covered.
He got me a new (second hand) sofa. Wear and tear covers things like this.

[Scarlett]

CloverJo- red wine and black tar from work boots. The carpet was cream and very expensive. I didn't know I was going to rent it out when I put the carpets in! Also had a dog that weed all over the sofa. Had to throw it out as it couldn't be rescued.

[alavahalf]

... the dog or the sofa !