Deposit return - quotes & confirmation work has been done?

Daisies

Hi, our tenancy on a house ended on 2nd April and we're trying to get our deposit back - nearly £2000. We moved into a house we bought on 17th March, and did the final clean of the rental house on 28th March, then returned the keys, even though the tenancy didn't end until 2nd April. We were told there was no need for us to be present for the inventory check-out, which took place on 3rd April.

Now the inventory check-out has come back claiming that we caused some stains on the carpet. Which we didn't - we left the whole house considerably cleaner than we found it and improved the condition of the garden, and suspect the stains were caused by the letting agent conducting viewings after we cleaned but before the actual end of the tenancy. We realise we're probably going to have to let the carpet cleaning cost be deducted from the deposit, although there are some discrepancies with the inventory. They will also be deducting £80 + VAT for the "check-out" fee.

However, we have our doubts that the carpet cleaning will actually take place - when we moved in the carpets hadn't been cleaned and there were already stains in one bedroom caused by the previous tenant. Are we allowed to ask that the letting agent obtains quotes for carpet cleaning and lets us see them (to ensure they choose the cheapest one) and that they also obtain a receipt to show that the work has actually been done?

Thank you!

Daisies

And browsing some of the other threads on here (wish I had last June when we started the tenancy) I've discovered that the landlord probably hasn't informed her mortgage company (Northern Rock) that she's letting the property!

25.lindsay

Sounds just like our current prediciment with past LL. We carpet cleaned and washed all windows inside and out (even paper towel dried with a glass cleaner!) and they are saying neither has been done and want to deduct the costs from our deposit. We asked for a pre-check-out look over of the property and also to be present at the "check out" and were declined on both occasions - now the joys of argueing it out with the agents...

Daisies

What are you going to do about it? Ours isn't an enormous amount (as a proportion of the deposit) but it's partly the principle of the thing and partly because we would like the whole amount back - getting married in 7 weeks so every penny counts!

25.lindsay

I borrowed a friends carpet cleaner so am getting her to write me a receipt for the "hire" likewise we borrowed a neighbours telescopic window pole cleaner thingy so will ask them as well to put it in writing. Our contract does not state it has to be professionally cleaned, but the "check-out" advice does - so will be sticking to quoting the contract back to them.

TBH, we were expecting a battle, so have photo's taken from the same angle as per the invontory and also I read on the Deposit Protection Scheme website that all parties should be present on the "check-out" so if it goes to dispute with them, as we put it in writing that we wanted to be there, I don't think they have a leg to stand on (hopefully).

Hope all goes well with your wedding, we have a new baby due in 7 weeks, and although our deposit is a quarter of yours, is still the principle of the matter! Every penny does count!

Daisies

Which bit of the DPS website did you read about everyone being present at the check-out? I don't know if it will help us, as we haven't got it in writing, but we were advised by the letting agent that there was no point us being there.

And good luck with the new baby!

25.lindsay

Found it within these details for using the ADR process: https://www.depositprotection.com/WebContent.ashx?docid=10b890ad-407c-4a40-be04-1ceebbf0d160

Vacating Instructions > set the check-out guidelines

It is advisable to supply the tenant with written guidance on how to present the property on vacation for check-out. This is a great opportunity to remind tenants of specific clauses and requirements in the Tenancy Agreement regarding standards of cleaning or professional cleaning. Vacating Instructions can also be used as evidence in a dispute.

Check-out Report > time is of the essence

It is advisable to conduct your check-out as soon as is practical during daylight hours, allowing time to complete the report carefully. Both parties should be present for any issues to be raised, and detailed notes (signed and dated by both parties) should outline any disrepair or damage, detailing discrepancies with the ingoing Inventory.

Hopes this helps you and good luck!

Daisies

Fantastic! Thank you!

Still haven't decided whether to include the part about her not having consent to let when we write back to the letting agent. We're about to contact Northern Rock and the tax evasion people to let them know, but don't want it to look like we're attempting blackmail or something to the letting agent!

hugheskevi

The landlord is not entitled to betterment (ie to demand you return the place in a better condition than you found it.) This applies even if the contract were to specify that you had to use a professional cleaning company at end of tenancy - you are only obliged to return the property in the condition it was when you took ownership.

Was a dual-signed inventory produced at the start of the tenancy? Did you take photos of the condition of the house? Is the deposit protected?

If there is no dual signed inventory from the start of the tenancy then the landlord is unlikely to be able to prove the condition of the property and any deductions are unlikely to be upheld. In which case I would simply be taking the line that you returned the property in an equal or better condition and expect the full deposit back unless the landlord can prove otherwise.

ceh209

Yes I would definitely request an invoice from the cleaning company when work has been done - we just got this from our old LL. You can always put the deposit in dispute until you receive this (having received back the undisputed amount of course).

As for quotes, I don't know if you can make them get these, but it's worth asking. Maybe get them yourself and send them on?

G_M

By asking for quotes you are tacitly accepting rresponsibility for professional cleaning.
Do you wich to contest the need for cleaning, or the cost of the cleaning?