Deposit Not Returned

bitemarx

Hi,

I recently moved out of the privately rented house that I was staying in for more than a year. On moving out, I paid her by cheque to cover all the outstanding payments that she had mentioned. After she inspected the house, it was agreed (verbally) that she would get an estimate from a cleaning service to have the house cleaned since I had "not left it in the state it was rented out to you". This would, understandably, be deducted from my security deposit and the balance would be returned to me.
It has been two weeks since I moved out and she has not given me a quote for the cleaning service, citing reasons such "I havent had a chance to get 'round to it".

I've been thinking about sending her a formal letter requesting that the cleaning quote be done asap and the deposit returned to me.

My questions are:

1. Is there a certain period I need to give her to get these things done before I formalise anything?
2. What can I do besides sending a letter to her? (As far as I know, she was not holding the deposit in a DPS)

Any tips or advice would be really appreciated since the deposit is a failry large amount of money.


Thanks in advance

M

adg1

Firstly, was there a tenancy agreement in place for the property? If so, then there should be some info in there regarding the deposit, assuming that she got the TA from recognised channels.

How long have you been in the property for? If its from before April 2007 then the deposit has to be held in the DPS, or you can take the landlord to court for up to 3x the deposit amount. I'm not 100% sure if this is the case if there was not a Tenancy Agreement in place but I'm sure a helpful Landlord will be along soon to advise!

If you moved in prior to April 2007 then it doesn't have to be protected as far as I'm aware.

If it is with the DPS you'd get 90 days to register dissatisfaction with your landladies check out process.

If you moved in after April 2007 and had an AST in place, write (by registered, signed for delivery) that you are aware your deposit was not protected and that you can begin legal proceedings for 3x the amount.

If you moved in before April 2007 then I would try your luck and still write the letter as above. It sounds like your landlady is not a professional one who probably doesn't know huge amounts about property renting law.

Hope that helps!