Brief history - 2 bed purpose built flat completely renovated early 2012, everything brand new including boiler, kitchen, bathroom, furniture etc - my husband and I are first time landlords - first tenants moved in April 2012. All ok until visit to flat about 2 months ago by my son who is doing our management. He discovered extensive black staining to walls and ceilings, especially around heat sources and inside cupboards and wardrobes. It appeared to be an oily sooty deposit. He noticed a fragrance oil burner in the lounge and asked them not to use it. The tenant denied that the burner would have caused the staining. The boiler was checked recently and was found to be in full working order, no problems. These tenants moved out yesterday, new tenants moving in tomorrow and due to lack of time and not wishing to risk a cleaner we didn't know, we tried to clean yesterday but found it impossible to remove this dreadful staining so decided to paint some walls and ceilings!
Firstly, can anyone advise whether an oil burner can cause this much damage to all rooms? Can we prove it is tenant's fault? Secondly, can we charge tenants for all our work (if so, can we produce our own invoice and what is a reasonable rate?) or do we have to have used a professional? Deposit with DPS, full signed inventory in place, everything done properly.
Firstly, can anyone advise whether an oil burner can cause this much damage to all rooms? Can we prove it is tenant's fault? Secondly, can we charge tenants for all our work (if so, can we produce our own invoice and what is a reasonable rate?) or do we have to have used a professional? Deposit with DPS, full signed inventory in place, everything done properly.