Moving out of rented house, no signed contracts *Urgent help needed*

hanster

Hi all,

I have just been living in a house with 2 other people for around 14 months.

Before we moved in we had to complete and send to the Estate Agents a tenancy application form and pay a fee of £111.63 each.

Went we first moved in we had to pay a deposit of 1.5 x month rent (£1575 in total), and had to sign and send off the tenant agreement contract and the inventory list.

We never actually got round to signing the agreements so I was now wondering where we stand legally in regards to the deposit?

Will post any more info needed

THanks

hanster

Since moved in on July 08, that means we should be covered by the Tenancy Deposit Protection but we didn't receive any information about this within 14 days of paying the deposit.

Need urgent help since we are moving out tomorrow!

Thanks

lynzpower

Ok,

Im not an expert, but if you have all been living there, and paying the rent monthly, then this - I THINK- implies a 6 month ast, which reverts to a periodic tenancy. Hopefully someone will be around to confirm- or correct!

How did you guys give notice, ( in writing, on phone) who to ( leting agent/ landlord)
and on what date.

What date did you guys move in? And when are you leaving?

What is the process for handfing the keys back?

hanster

lynzpower wrote: »

Ok,

Im not an expert, but if you have all been living there, and paying the rent monthly, then this - I THINK- implies a 6 month ast, which reverts to a periodic tenancy. Hopefully someone will be around to confirm- or correct!

How did you guys give notice, ( in writing, on phone) who to ( leting agent/ landlord)
and on what date.

What date did you guys move in? And when are you leaving?

What is the process for handfing the keys back?

We gave notice on the phone around the end of July 08 to the letting agent.

We moved in on the 8th of July 2007, and we have to pay up until 6 Septemper2008 but we are moving out today.

The letting agents told us to drop the keys to them but since they are outside of the city and neither of use drive we can't do that, so they told us to just post the keys through the letter box after we are done.

Thanks for the help again.

poppysarah

You need a record of the state of the property before you go. Camera out (with newspaper to date them?) and snap everything.

Then you'll have to claim your deposit back. Best of luck. Ring shelter for lots of help.

hanster

poppysarah wrote: »

You need a record of the state of the property before you go. Camera out (with newspaper to date them?) and snap everything.

Then you'll have to claim your deposit back. Best of luck. Ring shelter for lots of help.

Sorry we actually moved in on the 8th July 07 so we have been there for 14 months. We didn't take any photos of the property when we moved in.

The EA wants us to steam clean all the carpets, as in the contract (which we didn't sign) states

For long term tenancies of 12 months and over, carpet cleaning will be required at the end of the tenancy the cost of which to be paid for by the tenants

Do we have to get the carpets steam cleaned or will a vacuum clean do as it does not actually say steam clean the carpets?

Does it even matter since we haven't signed any contract?

Thanks

sooz

If your agency is THAT lax that they have not chased you for a signed agreement in the last 14 months, can't be bothered to meet you to get keys back, & didn't register your deposit, I wouldn't worry (if you have proof of the paid deposit)

Did you sign the inventory, or not bother about that either?

Hoover & tidy up a bit, take some photos to show it's not left in a complete dump, & keep all paperwork that you have, including bank statements to show how long you have been paying the rent.

Please tell me you atleast have a receipt for the deposit? Or wrote a cheque for it, or bank transfer...some proof

If you do, then..
Email the agency once you are out, so you have written proof you told them you've left the place, have left the keys & that you expect your deposit back in the next 14 days. If after that you hear/receive nothing, then take them to court.

If you paid the deposit in cash, & have no receipt, then good luck!

hanster

sooz wrote: »

If your agency is THAT lax that they have not chased you for a signed agreement in the last 14 months, can't be bothered to meet you to get keys back, & didn't register your deposit, I wouldn't worry (if you have proof of the paid deposit)

Did you sign the inventory, or not bother about that either?

Hoover & tidy up a bit, take some photos to show it's not left in a complete dump, & keep all paperwork that you have, including bank statements to show how long you have been paying the rent.

Please tell me you atleast have a receipt for the deposit? Or wrote a cheque for it, or bank transfer...some proof

If you do, then..
Email the agency once you are out, so you have written proof you told them you've left the place, have left the keys & that you expect your deposit back in the next 14 days. If after that you hear/receive nothing, then take them to court.

If you paid the deposit in cash, & have no receipt, then good luck!

Thanks for the reply,

we paid the deposit and first months rent (£2625 total) from my account by bank transfer and then the monthly rent was paid by my house mate via standing order.

The LA left us a printed out inventory with the conditions filled in but that was not signed or anything, does the inventory need to be signed by the tenant as well?

sooz

hanster wrote: »

Thanks for the reply,

we paid the deposit and first months rent (£2625 total) from my account by bank transfer and then the monthly rent was paid by my house mate via standing order. :T Good!

The LA left us a printed out inventory with the conditions filled in but that was not signed or anything, does the inventory need to be signed by the tenant as well?

Yes, the inventory needs to be signed by the tenants on all pages.

Clean up, hoover, tidy & take photos with today's newpaper in shot as suggested. Don't bother with the steam cleaning, as you didn't agree to it.

Email them as I suggested, & if deposit isn't returned then take them to court.

hanster

sooz wrote: »

Yes, the inventory needs to be signed by the tenants on all pages.

Clean up, hoover, tidy & take photos with today's newpaper in shot as suggested. Don't bother with the steam cleaning, as you didn't agree to it.

Email them as I suggested, & if deposit isn't returned then take them to court.

thanks for all the info sooz.

Can the LA keep our deposit and get some cleaners in without letting us know and then charge us for it? or do they have to notify us first?

cheers

sooz

You still online?

I thought you were moving today

They should tell you about any possible deductions first, & send you quotes. However, we've already established that they are not the country's most efficient agency.........