Student House - Deposit Taken

bernie_123

Deposit being taken unreasonably.

I've just finished my final year at University (thank god)... and just want it all to be out the way - a distant memory!


I have just moved out of rented accomadation in a 6 bedroom house for which we placed down a deposit of £360. So that is a combined deposit of £2,160.

I have lived in rented accomadation for the two previous years to this, and got between £25 and £50 taken out for both properties - which was reasonable...

Anyway in our second house we decided we were a bit fed up with the landlady walking in the house without giving any notice - so we decided to go with an agency.

When we looked at our most recent property it wasn't properly done up - but the agency ensured us that it would be done up to their high standard - it never was.

When we moved in the landlady had left lots of stuff in the house and left it what we fel was an unreasonable condition for a new tenancy - particularly as we were expecting a more proffessional outlook.

- stuff left in all drawers
- kitchen not clean
- electrics hanging out
- kitchen ceiling not finished
- paving slabs loose in the garden
- dishwasher not working
- shower door not treated (raw wood will go mouldy...)

We wrote a letter to the agency stating our concerns - which they directly forwarded to the landlady, that she just laughed off.

---


So, it comes to moving out - we are generally annoyed by the attitude of the agency this year and tidy the house to a good standard.

We then get a hysterical letter from the landlady detailing some outragous things and then asking the agency to give her all the deposit fees.

- dust on the blinds
- weeds in the garden
- radiator filthy
- two fence panels from garden missing (they were blown down before we moved in)
- hob marks in the kitchen surface (again, already there)
- picture stolen (picture was not in the house when we got there)

So, she has written this hysterical letter to the agency which detailed several lies and ridiculous statements - the agency forwarded the letter to us asking us to comment on it, so we did detailing our disagreement to the frankly ridiculous idea of her taking £2100 for dust on the blinds. We wanted a meeting with the agency to discuss the situation.

After not hearing from the agency for a week we rang them up and they said that they had recieved the letter but advised us that they had already passed our deposit to the landlady - and they said that they now want nothing more to do with us.

---

Is there anything that I can do to help get some of my money back? The situation is ridiculous. The landlady has taken money out for wear and tear and the agency did not inspect the property before we moved in OR after we moved out! Yet they happily give all our deposit away!

I've spoken to another student letting agency and they told me that the average they take out of student deposit is £7 and they never charge for wear and tear.

I'm really upset, and I find the agency and the landlady very difficult to deal with because they are very "!!!!!y" and patronising people. (sorry if offensive, but thats the best word!).

I'd be really appreciative of any advice on how to get the money back?

frankie1star

Think you should go to the CAB, as have similar problem with my daughter's accommodation, although their agency seems much more professional than yours. I don't think they have any right to hand over the deposit, especially if there is a dispute. The CAB have good knowledge of the legalities so would start there.

Barcode

Small claims court. Don't let these rip-off merchants take you for a ride. Far too many seem to think that students will shut up because they do not know any better. Happened to me, and it dragged on for a good few months before the landlord paid up at the threat of taking him to court.

greyster

How much does the small claims court cost? To defend myself in court etc?

shinkyshonky

greyster wrote:

How much does the small claims court cost? To defend myself in court etc?

Greyster it will cost you £50 which will be refunded in your favour if you win

make sure you photcopy/ keep all corrospondence

Get in touch with trading standards or CAB in your area ASAP they will give you advice on taking this forward

Reading between the lines here, it looks like collusion between the landlady and agency to keep your deposit , go on fight them

I have just been through an experience with a retailer...as soon as small claims court was mentioned they folded(i.e sales slang!) not literally folded!

black-saturn

If she's going to charge you for all those things she will have to provide receipts for the work thats done. She is supposed to allow for wear and tear.

greyster

shinkyshonky - sorry I'm not the OP, I am in a similar situation but fortunately a lesser deposit.

I don't think they will sting me for damage (inc wear and tear) but more for cleaning. In a brief conversation with the landlord after leaving they suggested they did 3 hours of cleaning in the bathroom which I will be invoiced for. I left the bathroom in good nick but would not argue at all if he did an hour or so giving it the five star treatment to showroom standard as they are a very clean family and that was most likely the condition it was in when I arrived two years ago ... however 3 hours cleaning for a bathroom which is not large and clean ..... I feel is taking the micky?

This is just one of a few things they have identified but probably the main one. Can they do this? 3 hours clean at £12-15/h.

shinkyshonky

bernie_123 wrote:

Deposit being taken unreasonably.

I've just finished my final year at University (thank god)... and just want it all to be out the way - a distant memory!


I have just moved out of rented accomadation in a 6 bedroom house for which we placed down a deposit of £360. So that is a combined deposit of £2,160.

I have lived in rented accomadation for the two previous years to this, and got between £25 and £50 taken out for both properties - which was reasonable...

Anyway in our second house we decided we were a bit fed up with the landlady walking in the house without giving any notice - so we decided to go with an agency.

When we looked at our most recent property it wasn't properly done up - but the agency ensured us that it would be done up to their high standard - it never was.

When we moved in the landlady had left lots of stuff in the house and left it what we fel was an unreasonable condition for a new tenancy - particularly as we were expecting a more proffessional outlook.

- stuff left in all drawers
- kitchen not clean
- electrics hanging out
- kitchen ceiling not finished
- paving slabs loose in the garden
- dishwasher not working
- shower door not treated (raw wood will go mouldy...)

We wrote a letter to the agency stating our concerns - which they directly forwarded to the landlady, that she just laughed off.

---


So, it comes to moving out - we are generally annoyed by the attitude of the agency this year and tidy the house to a good standard.

We then get a hysterical letter from the landlady detailing some outragous things and then asking the agency to give her all the deposit fees.

- dust on the blinds
- weeds in the garden
- radiator filthy
- two fence panels from garden missing (they were blown down before we moved in)
- hob marks in the kitchen surface (again, already there)
- picture stolen (picture was not in the house when we got there)

So, she has written this hysterical letter to the agency which detailed several lies and ridiculous statements - the agency forwarded the letter to us asking us to comment on it, so we did detailing our disagreement to the frankly ridiculous idea of her taking £2100 for dust on the blinds. We wanted a meeting with the agency to discuss the situation.

After not hearing from the agency for a week we rang them up and they said that they had recieved the letter but advised us that they had already passed our deposit to the landlady - and they said that they now want nothing more to do with us.

---

Is there anything that I can do to help get some of my money back? The situation is ridiculous. The landlady has taken money out for wear and tear and the agency did not inspect the property before we moved in OR after we moved out! Yet they happily give all our deposit away!

I've spoken to another student letting agency and they told me that the average they take out of student deposit is £7 and they never charge for wear and tear.

I'm really upset, and I find the agency and the landlady very difficult to deal with because they are very "!!!!!y" and patronising people. (sorry if offensive, but thats the best word!).

I'd be really appreciative of any advice on how to get the money back?

it will cost you £50 which will be refunded in your favour if you win

make sure you photcopy/ keep all corrospondence

Get in touch with trading standards or CAB in your area ASAP they will give you advice on taking this forward

Reading between the lines here, it looks like collusion between the landlady and agency to keep your deposit , go on fight them

I have just been through an experience with a retailer...as soon as small claims court was mentioned they folded(i.e sales slang!) not literally folded!

shinkyshonky

greyster wrote:

shinkyshonky - sorry I'm not the OP, I am in a similar situation but fortunately a lesser deposit.

I don't think they will sting me for damage (inc wear and tear) but more for cleaning. In a brief conversation with the landlord after leaving they suggested they did 3 hours of cleaning in the bathroom which I will be invoiced for. I left the bathroom in good nick but would not argue at all if he did an hour or so giving it the five star treatment to showroom standard as they are a very clean family and that was most likely the condition it was in when I arrived two years ago ... however 3 hours cleaning for a bathroom which is not large and clean ..... I feel is taking the micky?

This is just one of a few things they have identified but probably the main one. Can they do this? 3 hours clean at £12-15/h.

Hi

Are they paying deposit minus cleaning or withholding entire deposit....

greyster

they will payout minus cleaning

Voyager2002

Dont' forget to write to them first, stating your intention to take them to court. Your letter does not need to be fancy, but you do need to say, politely but firmly, that you require the return of your deposit because you dispute the statements made in the the letter justifying keeping it. Give them a reasonable period (seven days) in which to return the deposit, and state clearly that if you have not had a positive response by then you will be initiating proceedings.

You might like to visit your local county court -- the staff are generally helpful, and there are leaflets that explain what would happen. If your letter sounds reasonably well informed they are more likely to take it seriously.

From what you say, the landlady would not have a leg to stand on if it actually came to court, and must surely know this. So your letter is bluff: if she realises you are serious then if she has any sense she will pay up.