Withhold last month's rent?

mattyh

We'll be renting for a short period this year between house moves. I've never rented before, but hear so many stories about deposits being unfairly retained by landlords at the end of the term for petty reasons...obviously seen as an easy earner!

Therefore is it common practice in anticipation of this to withhold your last month's rent payment?

Joe_Bloggs

My answer is no.
Perhaps the best policy is to document the state of the place before you move in. Perhaps put your own rugs down over expensive to keep clean carpets in certain areas.
J_B.

missk_ensington

Absolutely not, although in the past I have been to the Landlord and pleaded poverty and asked them to accept the bond as the last months rent and they have agreed, although I only said that because I knew he would make me re-paint the walls and if he had my money I'd have to do it!

I believe there are legal channels available if you feel a Landlord has unfairly kept your bond.

clairehi

if you are renting through an agency there's no way you could do this.

take care when you check the inventory when you move in, and make sure you leave the place in at least the same condition you found it (apart from reasonable wear and tear)

you say you are renting for a short period, IME many landlords will not accept tenants for less than 6 months.

mattyh

thanks for your replies, i'll stick with honesty being the best policy then!

Joe_Bloggs - yep, that is the challenge as we'll be looking for 3 months-ish. Still, I suppose it all depends how desperate they are for a tenant though doesn't it?!

lynzpower

if the landlord keeps your deposit for arbitary reasons you take them to the small claims court.

Do a photo inventory when you move in, taking into account duff paintwork or anything you reckon they will try and bill you for.

you can get a private lettings officer from the council to come and check it out with you at the end if your LLL is being unrasonable & accompany you round for the final inspeaction with your LL.

Ive rented for many years, and have always found most landlord with the exception of one, to be reasonable and decent.

Joe_Bloggs

I don't know about your budget or situation is but in some circumstances unused student accomodation could be cosidered for the summer months. Often it is let out to conference delegates. If you don't inquire you will never know.
J_B.

mattyh

that's an excellent tip! Thanks for that!

mattyh

Just bumping this topic... I noticed a lot of posts recently about landlords (or agents..) witholding deposits, and as i'm about to embark on a 3 month let shortly i'm just wondering if anyone's opinion has changed and they would recommend holding back the last month's rent in anticipation of dodgy dealings regarding the deposit?!

rosysparkle

Definitely not. For a three month let you may have to pay the full three months up front anyway.

HugoSP

As a landlord myself I would be annoyd if a tenant did this to me. However after hearing some horror stories about landlords keeping the deposit, in some cases by simply refusing or avoiding its return, I could accept why some tenants may feel it to be necessary. None of my tenants have ever felt it necessary to do this to me but they have all been long term tenancies, with the exception of a couple of disaster tenants lasting no longer than a couple of months via a loser of an agency that cost me dear.

The reason I think that they didn't do this was because they built up a rapport with me and felt safe in the knowledge that I would be fair. I've never retained any pert of a deposit. The only consideration I will make is that those who have pets may need to get the property fumigated for fleas etc on vacation. Either they can get this done or I can arrange it at their cost.

Having said that this thread is about you and not me. You are the tenant here who it seems just wants to protect your interests. There is nothing wrong with that. The course of action you may take will depend on how you are treated by the landlord or the angency.

A Landlord who treats his tenant with respect and dignity should expect the same in return. If at one extreme, the dwelling is well looked after and is obviously someones home etc then IMO witholding the last months rent could be a poor show of faith in return for the good faith in allowing you into that property. However if the accomodation is barely habitable and essential repairs are seldom if ever carried out then IMO the landlord reaps what he sews. Such a landlord will often try to maximise revenue from his properties at the expense of his obligations to his tenants. Any tenant in such a situation would do well to protect his interests any way he could.

One other consideration, if you are dealing with a decent landlord - a decent landlord will require references. He will also provide references assuming you've been a good tenant, incase you would need to rent again. Being a good tenant would IMO involve NOT witholding the last months rent. If the landlord is the other type, don't lose too much sleep over this issue.