Surface damage is an unavoidable reality for landlords. Chips, scratches, burns and cracks accumulate in kitchens and bathrooms over the course of a tenancy, and managing the cost and disruption of repair and maintenance is a constant challenge. Surface repair — rather than replacement — offers landlords a faster, more cost-effective way to maintain properties to a lettable standard. Here’s a practical guide for UK landlords.
Why Surface Repair Makes Sense for Landlords
Replacement is expensive, slow, and disruptive. A new kitchen worktop means disconnecting the sink, moving appliances, and the property may need to be vacant during installation. Surface repair, by contrast, takes a few hours, requires no disconnection or decanting, and costs a fraction of the replacement price. For rental properties where the goal is to maintain a lettable standard efficiently, surface repair is almost always the right first choice.
Most Common Surface Damage in Rental Properties
- Kitchen worktop chips and burns
- Acrylic bath chips and scratches
- Shower tray chips and staining
- Tile chips and cracked grout
- UPVC window sill and door frame scratches
- Laminate and vinyl floor tears and damage
Tenant Liability and Deposit Deductions
Surface damage that goes beyond fair wear and tear is a legitimate deduction from a tenant’s deposit. To make a successful deposit deduction, you need: documentary evidence of the pre-tenancy condition (check-in inventory with photographs), documented evidence of the damage on checkout, and a proportionate remedy — repair rather than replacement where repair is feasible. Deposit adjudicators are more likely to approve a deduction for a professional repair than for a full replacement of a fixture that was several years old.
Between-Tenancy Repair Programmes
Many landlords with multiple properties use Shazam Repairs for systematic between-tenancy repair programmes. We can inspect and repair a property between check-out and check-in, addressing multiple items in a single visit, and providing a schedule of work that can be used as evidence for deposit deductions.
Portfolio Rates for Multiple Properties
Landlords with multiple properties benefit from a consistent, reliable repair service and competitive pricing. Contact us to discuss your portfolio requirements.
