getting my bond back

silverlight_2

Hello, I have given my one months notice on my rented flat. I got a call from the letting agency today to say that they will come round and check the property on my leaving date and that I should provide evidence that I have paid all my utilities (gas/electric/water/counsel tax) once they have this my deposit will be returned to me.

Is this correct? I've never had this before and considering that all the utilities are in my name anyway I can't see why this should matter. Surely if theres no damage to the property then my bond should be returned?

Also just to make clear, I will be paying all my final bills!!! it's just by the time the final bills are sent to my new house and they have been paid, it's going to be weeks down the line.

Any advise would be really helpful. :j

talulahbeige_2

Have a read of shelters website and the private renting section (assuming you have your bond protected)

A bond is for damage, not non payment of bills or fair wear and tear. A utility company will chase you for a bill in your name.
This is another scheme by LA's to retain a tennants money for a bit longer.

BitterAndTwisted

I agree that the agents are being unreasonable as you are correct, any unpaid bills won't be the responsibility of the landlord in any case. We've had this same query on this board quite recently and I think it's a matter of agents making up terms and conditions as they go along.

What you could try is to contact the utility companies by phone and ask them if they will accept a closing reading on the phone and then you could pay on the day with your debit-card Write to the local authority now with your leaving-date and ask them for an amended statement for the current year if you are moving out by the 31st of this month. Don't forget to arrange with the Post Office to have your mail redirected.

Is your deposit held in one of the deposit-protection schemes as required by law?

silverlight_2

thanks for the replys. The shelter website is very helpful. I think i'll phone the agents and tell them it's not a condition i'm going to go along with. I'm buying a house round the corner and will just be changing the address with my utilities and carrying on as normal. I've already phoned most of them and told them. I'm going to close my gas/electric account because at the flat I had to be supplied by BG at my new house i'll get the cheapest supplier. It just seemed to me a complete hassle. Tho the LA i've been with have been a complete nightmare from start to finish!!

I have no idea if my deposit is protected. When I moved in to the flat I had never rented before and didn't know a lot about it. The only thing I have is my tenancy agreement. I have been told tho that the landlord has to protect my bond and if not are liable to be fined?? And the worst of all................no inventry was done when I moved in, I didnt know! Tho the flat is in very good condition and I do intend on taking my own photos when I move out.

Fire_Fox

If the letting agency is a nightmare you are far better dealing with them in writing so you have a paper trail in case of dispute. When did you move in? If you last signed an AST from mid 2007 onwards your deposit must be lodged, ring the three schemes and check then ask the letting agency to look into it. Without a dual signed inventory it will be very difficult for your landlord to withhold any money from your damage deposit, so in many ways it is to your advantage. Ensure you attend checkout and as you say take photographs.

silverlight_2

thanks, I will be there to make sure everything goes well when I move out. LA have been a nightmare from start to finish!
This forum has been brill, I have a better idea now on what to say. I'm going to phone the three schemes and see were my deposit is.

moromir

Just to put another view on it -

Utility companies will some times change meters to pre payment meters if they have outstanding debts on them, these are a pain in the butt as far as I'm concerned - I've walked away from viewings on rental properties with them installed before (can't be doing with the hassle of organising for them to be changed back, having to send off documentation proving my tenancy/the debt isnt mine etc etc).

Maybe the Landlord is trying to avoid this? (can't comment on the legalities regarding the deposit because I don't know)