Rent Deposit- can they do this?

mattrgee

We are due to leave our rented flat in about 6 weeks time and paid a deposit of £525 when we moved in. The documentation we received from the agency managing our tenancy states that the cost of an independent company checking the flat after we leave will be deducted from our deposit. I didn't think a deposit could be used in this way, surely this is their cost not ours? This was in the tenancy agreement.

We have lived in the property for nearly 12 months now but only signed for 6 months when we originally moved in. After the first twelve months were up we were sent another tenancy agreement for the next 6 months that had to be signed and returned. However, we never signed or returned it. How does that affect us? Do the terms we signed for during the first 6 months of our tenancy automatically apply to the second 6 months?

Thanks for the help.

madeinchina

mattrgee wrote: »

We are due to leave our rented flat in about 6 weeks time and paid a deposit of £525 when we moved in. The documentation we received from the agency managing our tenancy states that the cost of an independent company checking the flat after we leave will be deducted from our deposit. I didn't think a deposit could be used in this way, surely this is their cost not ours? This was in the tenancy agreement.

We have lived in the property for nearly 12 months now but only signed for 6 months when we originally moved in. After the first twelve months were up we were sent another tenancy agreement for the next 6 months that had to be signed and returned. However, we never signed or returned it. How does that affect us? Do the terms we signed for during the first 6 months of our tenancy automatically apply to the second 6 months?

Thanks for the help.

The documenatation that tells you where your deposit is held should tell you what it can be used for.

As you knew prior to letting that a check-out fee was to be charged, and you 'agreed', by signing the AST, it is likely you are liable for this charge.

If you did not sign a new agreement, then a periodic tenancy started when the fixed term expired on the old agreement. The tenancy then rolls on from month to month at the same rent. It does not renew another six months unless you paid 6 months upfront and the period in the agreement is 6 monthly. Monthly is the usual period.

sooz

mattrgee wrote: »

I didn't think a deposit could be used in this way, surely this is their cost not ours? This was in the tenancy agreement.

The cost is yours. Because you agreed to it, by signing the AST & it is normal that the LL pays for the incoming & the tenants pay for the outgoing inventory. It is conducted by a third party.