renting - getting your deposit back!

monkeydust_2

Hi,

I am currently waiting for my landlady to return my deposit on a lat I left a month ago, I am hoping there are no problems but she is taking her time and it has occurred to me I am effectively powerless her to do anything, or am I?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks
Rav

MORPH3US

Not sure about the time scales side of things, I would say a month is plenty long enough though so would ring her asking whats going on and when you'll get it back. Give her a week to send it and then if nothing, write by recorded delivery threatening legal action in small claims court!!!

M

itsakidsworld

It should have stated in your contract the time scale for your deposit to be returned.

Once you vacate the property, the landlord then carries out an inspection and if all is ok, deposit returned. Normal time scale should be no more than a week unless problems occur.

clutton_2

give her/him a friendly phone call first - asking if s/he has overlooked it. no good antagonising her/him immediately.

rrutter_2

Do check the contract, I had to provide copies of all the final bills showing payment so there was not a bad debt attached to the house, and a forwarding address. Once that was done I got the money back the next day. Also you should have been present at the final inspection to discuss and be aware of any claw-backs. Worth dropping her a quick line or call to check she has all the info she needs and your address to send it on to though.

albreda

Hi

Was that a private landlord or an agency?

We were with an agency and the contract stated that final utility readings are taken on the day you leave, along with an inspection (which you're invited to attend).

Once they have proof we've paid the final bills (electricity in our case) we can have the deposit back (within a week).

It's not unusual to wait upto 6 weeks for your final utility bills though!!

Maybe best to contact your landlord to ask when you should expect it back, and what you can do to help speed things along?

Rakesh.Chauhan_2

i dont think the landlord can take money from your deposit for unpaid bills. I think they will need to go through the tennants guarentors, if they cant pay it then the landlord will need to go through small claims.

I'd say your likely to get your cash back.

Kick up a fuss if you dont.

If there are damages, make sure the landlord gives you a written breakdown of what has been damages with its price!

clutton_2

i am not at all sure about landlords keeping deposits from tenants in case of unpaid utility bills. i would not dream of doing that. if you have phoned the utility companies on the first day of the Tenancy Agreement and handed over meter readings along with the tenant, so there is no argument about opening readings, and the bill is now in the name of the tenant - what the heck has it got to do with the landlord, if the tenant does not pay his/her bills ? nothing. I have found it irritating that some tenants abandon bills, and it takes me a bit of time to sort it out, but i have NEVER had to pay one single penny for power etc which was used by a tenant. I would seriously question the legality of keeping "utility money" - irrespective of what it says in the agreement. Just because it is in an agreement does not make it legal. A landlord cannot take away a tenants rights which have accrued under other legislation just because they write a clause in an agreement. If you are very worried about this, i would seek advice from Shelter - i understand they are absolutely excellent with tenants rights.

albreda

clutton wrote:

i am not at all sure about landlords keeping deposits from tenants in case of unpaid utility bills.

They can in Scotland, I don't know about England - but it shouldn't be a problem if you pay for your bills.

danielle21_2

I rented a house through an estate agent & I was weary about whether I would get my bond/deposit back - not that I did anything wrong, just because I thought the landlords tend to be v. awkward, however, we got the bond back the day after we handed our keys in.