Valuation of household goods

D

dosty

Guest
Hello,

My ex-landlord is pursuing me for damage caused to certain items during my tenancy. I admit this damage and based on the inventory we both agreed and signed left my deposit to cover these items. I subsequently received a demand for payment based on a revised inventory which saw the overall valuation of goods rise from 21000 in 2005 to 64000 in 2008 without any improvements or new furniture bought during that time. I have contacted Threshold who will begin to mediate on my behalf but am curious to know the legal implications of a landlord (not registered with PRTB) adjusting the figures to finance the upgrading of his property? Perhaps there are none and I welcome any information you can give me.
 
Can you clarify if the valuation for the goods is €21,000 & €64,000 or €2,100 & € 6,400?
My understanding is that you would be liable for the damage to the property as per the 2005 valuation - so to replace a like for like item. He can't charge you for a brand new sofa if there was a 5 year old one there when you moved in.
However, you seem to admit to a significant amount of damage (even the lowest of €2,100 would seem significant), he may have become aware of other damage to fixtures and fittings and/or the property not immediately obivious (plaster, walls, flooring, doors, plumbing) and he may have a case to follow you for this.

What damage were you aware of?
 
Thanks for your response. The figures I referred to were the overall value of contents firstly in 2005 , the lower figure, and then the revised and significantly higher figure in 2008. The value of the damaged property was between 300-500 ( a rather dated suite of furniture ) euro in 2005. Today apparently it is 4000. What I am questioning is the legality of pursuing somebody on a clearly adjusted inventory. Not one item matched the original. Also items that were not on the initial inventory appeared on the 2nd?
 
I would contact the prtb and get them to resolve the issue. You are liable for damage to items on the originally agreed inventory at the value therein less depreciation, not any inflated valuations for replacements the landlord comes up with. (btw I have never heard of a landlord putting €64k worth of fixtures & fittings into a rental property!).
 
He's chancing his arm (big time). If the sofa had a value of €400 in 2005, it would have a current value of €250 (depriciates by 12.5% pa. He seems to think he is entitled go out and buy any price sofa & hold you liable - he is dreaming. Definately contact the PRTB, you say he's not registered, so he will not want to go this road!
 
Thanks for the replies. I have contacted Threshold who are now liaising with him for me and they have advised him to pursue the matter with the PRTB (which of course he can't do) so now he's just constantly calling me , despite having been told he was to either speak with my husband or threshold as I'm fnding the whole matter so stressful. Hopefully this will all be resolved soon!
 
Dotsy --- Hold on a second. You, as are all tenants entitled to an allowance for 'fair wear and rear'. If the sofa was used when you moved into the property, you are likely been charged for other's damages. Damn the PRTB, you'll end up in a looney bin but the time they get around to dealing with it. What you need is the next time he calls you, refer him to your solicitor. If you don't have one, find one. Crumby landlords as you have described do the property ownership profession no favours. If there is as much damage as he has indicated he would have passed the matter to his legals.
 
Why should she incur the costs of employing a solicitor? The PRTB is there to protect both tenants & landlords rights.
Dotsy, you should contact the PRTB yourself and give them the landlords details. Next time he calls explain that you are getting them to adjudicate on the matter.
Also, have you been claiming your rental tax credit? You can claim for the last 4 tax years and if the landlord is not registered with the PRTB it is unlikely his tax affairs are in order so the revenue would be interested in his case.
 
As I have now started to receive threatening messages ex contacting my employers, contacting current landlord (I don't know how they got his details) and leaving endless messges on the office phone for all to hear I feel I have no choice but to get a solicitor and a doctor as the stress of this is taking its toll. I can't get the numbers blocked from work until I file a report with the gardai which I hope to do today. Thanks for all the advice though.
 
I don't see why you should be bullied into incurring the costs of a solicitor. Why not leave the Gardai & PRTB to handle it? Keep a written record of all calls you receive from the landlord & their content.
 
have you considered sitting down with the landlord to try and sort it out and reach an agreement before the whole issue gets out of hand with solicitors letters etc flying around the place?
 
My husband today rang and spoke with them and was told that they would ring whoever they want , whenever they want and that they had put the threshold letter in the bin and refused to talk with them. I will try the PRTB and see how I get on with them and am waiting to speak with a garda informally this evening. Thanks again for the replies.
 
Dipolomatic headbangers at that and I am not being sarcastic, they have very senior roles at international level, which I believe is half the problem as they seem to think they are immune to any comeback by us.
 
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