Almost 5 years ago I purchased 2 x 3 piece "Leather" suites for 2 houses which I have rented for the same period of time to the same tenants. The tenants are model tenants and very careful with all the furniture in the 2 houses. The suites are used in both houses on most nights and having spoken to the tenants I am satisfied that only a dry or moist wet cloth has been used to clean them. I visit the two houses regularly but had no reason to visit the sitting rooms.
Just over 3 weeks ago one of the tenants brought up subject of the condition of the suite and I checked it. There were large areas of the cushions, back of suite where you sit against and arm rest peeled exposing a brown colour. There was absolutely no evidence of any damage to any other part of the suite. I cannot blame the tenants for the damage. I was told it was leather when I bought but the Invoice just gave the name of the suites. The story is similar in the other house with just slightly smaller areas of damage.
The two sets of tenants gave me similar reasons of why they did not bring it to my attention earlier and it was "that as I was a good Landlord to them that they did not wish to annoy me about it". It would appear that this "peeling" started when the suites were less than 2 years old. They are now in a disgraceful state. I am gutted.
On this day 3 weeks ago I called to the shop where I purchased them and spoke to the owner. He took my details and contact no after I explained the complete story. He promised to personally call and see them and to contact a representative of the firm who supplied them.
I had no contact from him in the two weeks so I rang him and he gave me a time that he would call to me on last Thursday. He did not turn up. I had gone to a lot of trouble to facilitate this visit. I rang him later on and he said he would contact me yesterday. He did not ring me until today. His attitude was that he would not be calling as the suites were nearly 5 years old and there was nothing more he would do. I would point out that the tenants have had covers on them for the past 2 years approx. I will have to replace them within the next month.
I would gratefully appreciate any useful advice of any rights I may have.
Thanking you
Just over 3 weeks ago one of the tenants brought up subject of the condition of the suite and I checked it. There were large areas of the cushions, back of suite where you sit against and arm rest peeled exposing a brown colour. There was absolutely no evidence of any damage to any other part of the suite. I cannot blame the tenants for the damage. I was told it was leather when I bought but the Invoice just gave the name of the suites. The story is similar in the other house with just slightly smaller areas of damage.
The two sets of tenants gave me similar reasons of why they did not bring it to my attention earlier and it was "that as I was a good Landlord to them that they did not wish to annoy me about it". It would appear that this "peeling" started when the suites were less than 2 years old. They are now in a disgraceful state. I am gutted.
On this day 3 weeks ago I called to the shop where I purchased them and spoke to the owner. He took my details and contact no after I explained the complete story. He promised to personally call and see them and to contact a representative of the firm who supplied them.
I had no contact from him in the two weeks so I rang him and he gave me a time that he would call to me on last Thursday. He did not turn up. I had gone to a lot of trouble to facilitate this visit. I rang him later on and he said he would contact me yesterday. He did not ring me until today. His attitude was that he would not be calling as the suites were nearly 5 years old and there was nothing more he would do. I would point out that the tenants have had covers on them for the past 2 years approx. I will have to replace them within the next month.
I would gratefully appreciate any useful advice of any rights I may have.
Thanking you