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Hardwood floor damage - Security Deposit - Landlord Forum thread 334003

Hardwood floor damage - Security Deposit by Anonymous on April 23, 2015 @00:24

                              
I rented my house in ID and moved to a neighboring state for a different job. The tenants finished their 1.5 years lease and moved out recently. I went to perform inspection. They were present during inspection. I found out a water damage on the hardwood floor (living room). The tenant said that it was there before they moved in. I said that it is still wet and it is from recent damage. I said that I am not going to argue with them. I called hardwood flooring folks later. They measured water content and said that it is from recent damage that continuously happened for a long time, because a couple of planks turned black. It could be from potted plant or pet urine. A couple of planks bulged/moved up and down. The firms said that they have to remove about 10 planks and dry the area underneath. They have to put new ones and apply the top finish.

They said that the new planks (with new finish) will not match with the remaining living room. Hence, they will have to regrind and finish the entire living room (cost about $700). However, the dining room and kitchen hardwood floor will look different because of open layout. Hence, they said that I have to regrind and finish all 3 rooms (500 sqft) and the cost is about $1500-$2000.

Is it not possible to just replace the damaged planks (and then put new finish) in that small damaged area ? Will it not blend-in with the other area of living room soon ?

How much can I legally charge the tenant ? Any comments ? TIA.
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Re: Hardwood floor damage - Security Deposit by Anonymous on April 23, 2015 @00:53 [ Reply ]
only for the area they damage. Did you check ti insure no other water source just to be safe before repairs start?
Re: Hardwood floor damage - Security Deposit by Anonymous on April 23, 2015 @10:25 [ Reply ]
If you're on a crawlspace, you need to check underneath the house. I had a similar problem in the corner of my livingroom and it turned out to be a pinhole in one of the pipes running under the house, spraying water upward on the underside of the subfloor and leaching into the hardwood floors. It is not a high traffic area, so I have not had to replace the wood.

I sand and refinish my own wood floors. Check local listings for someone to do the refinish. Let the professionals finger in the new wood and hire a semi-professional to do the sanding and poly.
Re: Hardwood floor damage - Security Deposit by anon on April 26, 2015 @00:02 [ Reply ]
All you can get them for is fixing the area they damaged and finishing it. Forget about all these surrounding areas that you want to match color.
Re: Hardwood floor damage - Security Deposit by Caitlin Schrein (MN) on August 22, 2015 @03:15 [ Reply ]
I think you should first ask to the hardwood professional fitters, whether the damaged area can only be fixed by the planks. Or you may try for new fitting hardwood floors matching with the kitchen floors, this can be costly. You can add a carpet or a rug on it to cover the area, this will also match the kitchen floors.

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