[WSBARP] Landlord/tenant - damage to floors / calculating cost

[Rachel Bender]

Hi all,

Has anyone dealt with a client (landlord or tenant) re: calculating damages
to floors in a rental?

Here's what's going on: tenant moved into townhouse with hardwood floors,
landlords acknowledged extensive scratches and damage made prior to tenant
moving in (documented on "initial walk-through inspection" form).

Tenant moves out, and landlord discovers two small scratches (2-3 inches)
on the hardwood (tenant insists that this was from the moving company, but
I digress). Landlord obtains estimate ($1,700) to sand and refinish ALL of
the hardwood on that floor, and wants to charge the tenant 100% of that
even though the vast majority of damage existed prior to tenant's lease.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but tenant should not be on the hook for 100% of
this bill - shouldn't it be calculated to ensure tenant only pays for the 2
new scratches?

Any advice on how to calculate this? 2-3 inches vs. total square footage of
500 for that floor?

Thanks!

*Rachel R. Bender | *Member, Attorney

*Bender Law PLLC*
1001 Fourth Avenue* | *Suite 4400 *|* Seattle, WA 98154
*Reception*: 206.577.7987 *| Direct*: 206.389.1744 *|* *Fax*: 206.693.4365
www.bender-law.com

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