When our tenants viewed our rental house, they turned up in a regular car, but after leases, etc, were signed and they took occupation, they brought with them 2 massive American pickup trucks, which over the course of a year has sunken/damaged the driveway. We wrote to them about it a few months ago and the replied that would be willing to repair the damage themselves, but we wanted any repairs to be professionally. Unfortunately, we have no photographs of the driveway before they took occupation, as they inventory company did not include this. They have now served notice, do you think I could withhold some of their security deposit to repair the driveway, although I have no evidence of the the driveway condition at the start of their tenancy? Thanks
If the Ts agree, get something in writing to that effect. Then, if they do actually dispute it when you claim, you’ve got their agreement to show the deposit scheme. If they don’t challenge the deduction though, you don’t need proof anyway.
Not sure how much the deposit is but driveway repairs are usually pretty expensive.
Whoever originally did your driveway did not do a good job. You need to lay a concrete drive under any paving blocks. Even a decent sized car will shift blocks over time without a concrete base. EVs are super heavy too and increasingly common so if you are reletting this property, I’d recommend getting it done properly.
If you have a copy of their reply that they’d be willing to repair, in writing, or at least contemporaneous evidence (eg your subsequent reply saying you wanted it done professionally) and its dated then get evidence its not repaired on move out and you have good evidence they caused the damage - as they were willing to repair.
That ought to be enough to persuade any deposit scheme
Get quotes so you can show what you are claiming is reasonable
Good luck
Poorly laid drive-way. It should be able to hold a van full, not just a big car. Liability is yours in my opinion.
I think I replied to this query on another forum, but to reiterate, I doubt you have any case against the tenant. Its reasonable for the tenant to assume that a driveway would cope with any commercially available vehicles. If the landlord knew better, they would needed to have set limits on number and weight in the tenancy agreement.