Surface repair is one of the most cost-effective maintenance investments a landlord can make. Here is a comprehensive guide to surface repair in rental properties — covering what to repair, when to repair it, how to document it, and how to use repair costs in deposit claims.

What to Repair and When

At tenancy start: address any existing damage before a new tenant moves in. This establishes a clean baseline for the check-in inventory and prevents disputes about pre-existing damage.
During tenancy: address damage promptly when reported. Leaving damage unrepaired increases the risk of it worsening and increases the difficulty of matching materials.
At tenancy end: carry out a systematic inspection against the check-in inventory. Identify damage that is not normal wear and tear and arrange repair before the property is remarketed.

Documentation

Thorough photographic documentation is essential. Photograph damage before and after repair. Use a consistent lighting setup and photograph from the same angle for before/after comparison. We provide our own before-and-after photographs on every job.

Using Repair Costs in Deposit Claims

Deposit scheme adjudicators look for proportionality — a £1,500 replacement claim for damage repairable for £150 will almost always be reduced. Professional repair with documented costs is the most defensible approach in any deposit dispute.

What Can Be Claimed

Chips, cracks, burns and scratches that are damage rather than normal wear and tear are recoverable from deposits. Normal wear and tear — minor scuffs, small marks consistent with careful use — is not.