Unreasonable deductions, E A's responsibility?

bomere_2

Hi, can anyone advice me please?

I recently moved out of a rented property and the landlord is being unreasonable, and witholding all of my deposit for frivilous, or plain untruthfull reasons (eg windows cleaned when I had them done professionally inside and out the day before I left, and have the receipt).

Part of the problem is that we were the first tennants in what had been the landlord's family home for many years. It has beeen obvious for a long time that she loathed the idea of someone living in her house.

I am aware that I can go to arbitrtion, but I have a couple of questions before I make a decision (arbitrtion takes time and I want my money quick for kids christmas pressies)

1 Does the Estate Agent have a responsibility to seek a fair agreement, or is it ok to seek rediculous deductions?

2 What duty do they have to obtain reasonable quotes for work? The tiny garden needed weeding and grass cutting. I offered to return and do it, or provide a gardener to do it (he would have charged £15). They used a contractor who charged £165 for 21.5 hours work.

Originally they were seeking £800 deductions, when I asked for arbitration they offered deductions of £450.

All advice gratefully received.

poppysarah

They should get three quotes and go with the best surely?
And they're not allowed betterment.

Get a written quote from your gardener to weed and mow the garden - can only be useful in arbitration.

The deposit was all registered properly?

bomere_2

yes, all above board.

Fire_Fox

Is there a dual signed inventory that details the condition of the property, including the garden? If not the landlord will struggle to make ANY deductions stick at arbitration unless you agree to them. Did you attend checkout or take any photos of the property on your last day? Has the landlord put his desired deductions into writing and have you responded to that? It is for the landlord to prove you have left the property dirty or damaged not yours to prove you have not. Forget the estate agent, it is the landlord who has the legal responsibility to return your deposit.