Acura Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Hi there I have a situation where a tenant contacted my MA saying the front door had swelled due to the weather and was sticking. It needed planing, so the MA asked if I'd like a price from their contractor. I replied and stated yes, please get a price. The price came in, but before I had chance to go ahead with the work the tenant went back to the MA with a picture showing the door had become so stiff, when opening and closing it had caused the frame to be broken. Of course this needs fixing/replacing ASAP, but part of me is thinking if only the tenant had reported it before it got so bad it would have been a simple 30 minute job or less to plane the door a little. Any thoughts on this? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richlist Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 We've had a lot of wet weather, temperatures at this time of year are low and we go for days where everything outside is damp. Its not unusual for timber frames to swell, sometimes quickly and remain like that until temperatures rise significantly. In your shoes I'd just get it fixed and put it down to experience. A well fitted timber door/frame with adequate paint/ stain and suitable clearances should be able to make it through a British winter without breaking. Don't even think about charging your tenant for the cost. You'll never prove anything and the likelyhood is that there was something defective with the door or frame that caused it to be sticking in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mortitia Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 I agree with Richlist. Trouble is with wooden doors if too much planing is done then next thing tenant complains about is draughts. Have you thought about getting a double glazed UPVC door installed - they are trouble free I find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acura Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Thanks both. I appreciate your replies. Just woken up (it's 2.15 am here!) and the MA's handyman us there now and has quoted £60 for the whole repair/plane job. Not a price I'll quibble at all. Tenant is long term so I haven't/won't say anything about it, but it did cross my mind, hence the question. I've thought about replacing the door and might do that in the summer so next winter is hassle free. Good suggestion. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acura Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 We've had a lot of wet weather, temperatures at this time of year are low and we go for days where everything outside is damp. The very reason I'm dreading returning to the UK for good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richlist Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Just had X4 new uPVC front doors fitted at just under £2800 in total. Its tax deductable which means I get a front door for less than £420. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acura Posted January 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 That's a huge deduction Richlist ~ I'm not in that bracket now being a non-resident LL. Maintenance of the properties is always worthwhile though. Thanks again for your advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acura Posted January 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 That's a huge deduction Richlist ~ I'm not in that bracket now being a non-resident LL. Maintenance of the properties is always worthwhile though. Thanks again for your advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickpea Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Just out of interest - if the tenant had smashed the glass in the front door, claiming to have done so because the door was sticking, would you expect to pay for the glass and the plaining of the door...or just the plaining? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richlist Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Yes.....its always a landlords responsibility to initially sort out & pay for these sorts of issues. Especially when glass is broken & the property is not secure. Wether the landlord could successfully claim the costs back from the tenant would depend on the circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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