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Damage Deposits

We are about to come to the end of my tenancy with a landlord who has been quite frankly awful. We have spent the best part of a year with a loo that is not fully secured to the floor, a washing machine that does not work and no key to open windows in an increasingly damp bathroom. Not to mention continual access to the property by the landlord without proper notice.

I suspect he will adopt a "cheque is in the post" attitude for the damage deposit (£300). How long should I reasonably give him to refund the deposit before taking legal action?

Comments

  • clutton_2
    clutton_2 Posts: 11,149 Forumite
    did you sign an inventory when you moved in ?

    I think 2 weeks is more than enough, and i am a landlady myself.

    next time a landlord/lady wants to access YOUR home, tell them that you have the legal right of "Quiet Enjoyment" and that they cannot enter without your permission. Change the locks of necessary !!

    there is another very long thread on here at present about this - you will learn how to go about things from that

    good luck
  • real1314
    real1314 Posts: 4,432 Forumite
    hold on a minute, ok the landlord is a "______" (insert phrase a needed)...

    but 2 weeks before LEGAL action? you'd be wasting time and money setting up a small claims court action that quickly.



    IMHO...Best thing is to send a letter to the landlord NOW, stating that you are available for a joint inspection of the property on --/--/-- (give a few dates if you can, but make one of them the leaving day). State in the letter than you would like to receive a cheque for the deposit and the end of the inspection subject to agreement, otherwise you expect to receive a cheque within 14 days less deductions for any agreed issues and with copies of all estimates provided.

    KEEP A COPY! (vital)

    If the LL deducts more than you think is fair, or doesn't comply, then take action. The letter will be very useful in establishing your case.
    It's the work before the problem that makes things easier afterwards.
  • Tassotti
    Tassotti Posts: 1,492 Forumite
    I think that any decent Landlord/Lady would be there at the move out day to verify the inventory.

    Two weeks is plenty of time to decide what should be returned.

    Tass (landlord)
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