Getting deposit back on rented flat

the_skint_minx

Hi All

I've recently left rented accomodation (yay!) and typically am having bother getting my deposit back off the landlord.

When the letting agency phoned to discuss the deposit they said they were taking £140 out of the £350 deposit for cleaning. I thought this was OK since I'd lived there for 3 years and the carpets needed doing. So I agreed that this was OK and they said they'd send me the balance.

However, when I opened the letter from the letting agency this morning, they have taken a further £50 which wasn't mentioned when we spoke on the phone. The £50 breaks down like this:

£20 for two hand towels. I actually still have these, I'd packed them up during moving and forgotten about them, so could potentially give them back.

£30 for mending the door to the washing machine. A bit of plastic has broken off the washing machine door, but the functioning of the machine is completely unaffected. I would also see this as normal wear and tear given that I'd been there for three years.

Is there anything I can do about this? £50 is too small a quantity to pursue through e.g. the small claims court. But it's enough to make me really cross.

Your thoughts please... even if it's just 'Let it go...'

Ta

zincoxide

Contest it fully - if they are going to use this money to pay for the repairs etc then ask them to provide you the full invoice for each thing which you will verify with each supplier to show your money has been spent on the items quoted and not just for pure profit.

I've been through this with a few landlords, always chancing there arms, so I now do a full clean of the property, including the carpets before I leave.

Even then, if they ask for money for anything, I strongly question it, check inventories etc and then ask for a full invoice to show the money has been spent in that way.

Always make them worry a bit, at the very least you should speak to your local CAB who could help you out.

the_skint_minx

That sounds like good advice, I'd not thought of asking for the invoices.

Ta.

calmgirl

you were lucky i did not get my 450 bomd back beacuase they did not like the colur of the walls

Glittermonkey

Grrr - this makes me mad.

When i rented i done the place up better than what it was when i moved in.

I decorated, landlord was fine with this. Replaced curtains and nets, kitchen blinds. Some of the furniture that was there, i brought new again and left this behind etc.

I had big mirrored wardrobe doors which thier repair man broke with his huge tool bag but i didnt notice straight away. When i complained they said there was no evidence to say he done it and kept £100 of my deposit. I never even thought of asking them for the invoice to fix the broken mirror.

The whole reason the repair man was there - the tiles in the shower were dodgy and my leg went through them! Im now the proud owner of 2 huge scars!

Meeten

£20 for 2 hand towels??? BLIMEY!!

1) Give them towels back!

2) Request an invoice for the repairs to the WM.

He will prob not have it, and so you can request the monies back as it has NOT been used for the purpose it was witheld for.

It's gotto be worth a go ...... I am a landlord and it is these cheeky landlords that make my blood boil!!

There was one ocassion where a tennant took away some furniture with her, but when I sent a bill for it, it had been packed inadverntently (like yr towels), soshe returned it (towel rail) and I returned the money from her deposit.

annie-c

I rented for years and never had anything deducted from my deposit. Carpet cleaning is just fair wear and tear, I would say, as long as you have hoovered regularly. I always expected (and received) my deposit back at the same time that I handed back the keys. I would take the advice above, ask for receipts and mention that you will be taking advice from CAB.

melancholly

I thought that the rent should cover wear and tear, then the deposit is for anything over and above that. And if they have the nerve to charge an extortionate £20 for two hand towels after you've been there 3 years..... contest everything!!

Loretta

I think that there has been a recent court case about wear and tear and it was decided that this is covered by the rent, the deposit is for things missing, things damaged that are not wear and tear and any cleaning