Sydney landlord demands $1,000 from renter for a single scratch in floorboard at their house
A Sydney landlord has been slammed for demanding a tenant pay $1,000 to repair one ‘almost invisible’ scratch on a floorboard.
The renter was left in shock after the landlord made the ‘ridiculous’ demand after discovering the scratch in the lounge room during final inspection in September.
The landlord argued the damage was so bad the floors had to be replaced.
A photo of the scratch was posted to Reddit with the renter airing their disbelief.
‘Just want to ask if it sounds ridiculous to you that my landlord wants to charge $1,000 for a minimal scratch on a panel of a timber floor?’ she wrote.
The landlord argued she had to replace the flooring because of the ‘damage’ caused
But other tenants commenting on the photo she posted to Reddit said it was an example of fair ‘wear and tear’
‘Her plan is to remove and redo the whole flooring because I’ve unintentionally made a scratch on a panel, I repeat, a minimal almost invisible scratch on one of the panel.’
After a week’s negotiations between the woman and her partner, their real estate agent and the landlord, she reluctantly agreed to pay $500.
‘I was upset because I wanted to fight but he didn’t and it makes sense that it wasn’t worth anyone’s time,’ she explained.
‘We decided to close the case with the agents and paid $500.
The couple could have taken the matter to the the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal but decided against it.
‘I hope she spends that $500 well because if I wasn’t with my partner, I would’ve gone to court.’
The renter received plenty of support and advice online.
‘Yeah Landlord sounds like trying to get them to pay for new floors,’ said one person.
‘If you simply apply for your bond back and say “if you don’t like it, go to court”, 99 per cent of the time they’ll fold,’ another advised.
‘They only pull this s*** because intimidation works against disadvantaged groups.’
Some believed landlords making such claims should have to prove they have repaired the damage.
‘Landlords should be required to show a picture of the damage fixed within a month or else refund it.’
A frustrated Sydney renter took to social media to describe her landlord’s ‘ridiculous’ $1000 claim for minor damage caused to the loungeroom floor. Pictured: Stock image of a woman making a phone call
Others said the only way to protect a bond was to meticulously photograph every surface.
‘I take photos and video of everything when I leave a rental. And I mean everything. Inside door and window frames, walls, flooring , driveways, gardens etc. Then I forward it all to the agent.
‘They always say “oh we will go through and check it ourselves”. I always reply “yes I know but this way I am covered.”
‘I’ve never had a single issue.’