My tenants reported a leak from ?washing machine at the end of June, they sent me pictures of the valve and explained they had fixed it. They mentioned the floor was wet the day before.
i have just done a review of the property and the flooring is permanently damaged, lifting and bent from the water.
Whose responsibility is it to repair the flooring?
They have also replaced taps in the bathroom without speaking to me about this. There was no fault with them, they just wanted different taps. I only noticed this in the review.
Whose washing machine is it? If yours, then you’d have to show that the leak was down to something they did or didn’t do that you had forewarned them about.
If you really want the original taps back (or similar), you can ask them to pay the cost or re-instating them. Alternatively, you can propose a deduction from their deposit once they leave.
I’d have a serious talk with them either way about the clause in the tenancy agreement forbidding them to make changes to the property without your consent.
The washing machine is mine.
The problem is that they did not tell me that the floor was damaged just that she had fixed the valve that was dripping. It doesnt make sense for how much damage there is. The whole kitchen floor is damaged, all the way to the door and they have not mentioned this to me until I had the review.
Ask the tenant what was the problem with the valve and how they fixed it. Is it possible they have flooded the kitchen somehow and then saying the valve was leaking?
W M valves are usually at the back of the machine , if they fail and drip it may take a while to show up especially if it goes under the floor covering
yes the valve is at the back. I think my main point is they did not tell me that the flooring was damaged, just that the washing machine valve was leaking and that they had fixed it.
if they had told me sooner, the flooring could have possibly been repairable?
what is the flooring finish?
I get that its frustrating that the tenants didnt mention the floor damage and as others have said, its possible they had a flood they havent mentioned. You could try a claim from their deposit, but the scheme adjudicator will probably want to see evidence that it could not have been caused by a leaking valve.
Most laminate flooring is not suitable for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms, so they might also take that into account.