Strong curry smell that returned after end of tenancy inspection

[skid]

Our tenants have just reached the end of their stay in the flat we own.
My wife and I are both signatures on the bond.
I came and inspected (usually the wife's task) It seemed acceptable so I signed the refund form but my wife is away.
Both our signatures are on the bond lodgement form.
My wife has yet to sign ,but returns soon.
The tenants have gone to India but return in maybe a month to live somewhere else.
During the day the strong smell of curry has returned to the point the new tenants dont think they can even sleep in the bedroom.(pretty bad)
Obviously a new development ,and not a great start for the new tenants .
I have come back on the new tenants move in day, and done more cleaning and have painted the walls in 3 rooms to try to deal with the smell to make it habitable.
We are asking the old tenants for the cost of the paint ($150) off the bond refund before my wife is prepared to put her signature to the bond refund.
The tenants obviously thought it was done and dusted, but of course the bond refund is pending with this new development.
The tenants are not happy with the arrangement.....Are we within our rights?....and does this seem reasonable?
Any advice would be appreciated.

Just a recap.....smells returned after the initial inspection...bad enough to affect incoming tenants...2 landlord signatures on bond lodgement
only one landlord signature on on bond refund document (before new tenants brought game changing smell to landlords attention
which required extra work and expense.)

[donna]

To my knowledge it's always been the deal that tenants are to return the property in the same condition as they found it - ignoring general wear and tear. If you didn't give them a non smelly property then they need to return it - non-smelly. There is nothing untoward about that expectation.

Did you sugar soap the walls, and ceiling before you painted them? We love sugar soap - it's so effective at removing stains and smells.

For appliances etc you can use white vinegar with water - you really do need to clean 'everything'. It won't be just the smell but the 'fat' that hangs around and on everything.

Other natural ingredients that work include lemons and baking soda. Some swear by two tablespoons of white vinegar and a cup of water in a spray bottle. Or a bowl of all three ingredients and leave it out overnight. Wash floors and carpets.

Also use drain cleaner - I have found the smell gets into the drains - so pour drain cleaner down the sink.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Donna

[skid]

Thanks for the info...Yes,we used the vinegar solution on the kitchen for the second clean..(first was with disinfectant cleaner.
Id forgotten about the drains but Ill do that.
My main concern, aside from the cleaning ,was the fact that originally I gave the ok before it sat awhile and the smells increased.
Its not binding as only my signature is on the bond refund ,which will also require my wifes signature....but its a little awkward as he will say he got the ok.
The smells came back with a vengeance, which was unexpected
Im asking for the cost of the paint...and waiving the days work for me and my daughter.

[donna]

Hi Skid,

The cost of the paint might be contestable. They could say you wanted to paint to improve the property. Plus, as it's a rental, you can claim the paint and maybe also your time as an expense, so I'm not sure that would work.

Also maybe you just clock this one up as a learning experience. If the smell has now gone and the new tenants are satisfied then maybe the thing to do here is to move past it.

cheers,

Donna

[skid]

Thanks...Ill see if they come to the party first, and if contested ,take your advice

[ChiefWigum]

As bad as this sounds (and dodgy, although I never give the reason of course); I never let a property out to tenants from two particular countries for this very reason (curry). No matter how good they appear to be as tenants. They will NEVER refrain from cooking with curry. And yes it does stink the house out.

[donna]

Simmering cinnamon in water is said to get rid of the smell and reduce cooking odors when you do it while you’re cooking - found this tip online - I’ll give it a go and let you know if it works,

cheers
Donna

[mrsaneperson]

Our tenants have just reached the end of their stay in the flat we own.
My wife and I are both signatures on the bond.
I came and inspected (usually the wife's task) It seemed acceptable so I signed the refund form but my wife is away.
Both our signatures are on the bond lodgement form.
My wife has yet to sign ,but returns soon.
The tenants have gone to India but return in maybe a month to live somewhere else.
During the day the strong smell of curry has returned to the point the new tenants dont think they can even sleep in the bedroom.(pretty bad)
Obviously a new development ,and not a great start for the new tenants .
I have come back on the new tenants move in day, and done more cleaning and have painted the walls in 3 rooms to try to deal with the smell to make it habitable.
We are asking the old tenants for the cost of the paint ($150) off the bond refund before my wife is prepared to put her signature to the bond refund.
The tenants obviously thought it was done and dusted, but of course the bond refund is pending with this new development.
The tenants are not happy with the arrangement.....Are we within our rights?....and does this seem reasonable?
Any advice would be appreciated.

Just a recap.....smells returned after the initial inspection...bad enough to affect incoming tenants...2 landlord signatures on bond lodgement
only one landlord signature on on bond refund document (before new tenants brought game changing smell to landlords attention
which required extra work and expense.)

Only one landlord signature is required on the bond release form , even though there may be 2 on the lodgment form.
As for the lingering curry smells that's an interesting one ,would like to know how you got on in the end , I may be wrong but i think you'd be on a losing wicket at any TT.