Estate agent and Inventory Check List

rentinginlondon

Thanks Wee Willy Harris,

I really do not think i will be getting the bond....i have a feeling there is a scam going on here as well, very dodgy! ...no. of flats within the past few months have been reduced from 10 down to 6 (e.g. made two studios into one bedroom flats), but it's interesting to note that benefits/housing benefits letters - whatever you call it! letters for the flats which no longer exists and the letters are quickly removed and never left out in the hallway with other unclaimed post. (the landlord's friend lives in the building).

I think i will based my decision on when i call the deposit protection people and go from there.

Thanks once again WWH!

Wee_Willy_Harris

rentinginlondon wrote: »

Thanks Wee Willy Harris,

I really do not think i will be getting the bond....i have a feeling there is a scam going on here as well, very dodgy! ...no. of flats within the past few months have been reduced from 10 down to 6 (e.g. made two studios into one bedroom flats), but it's interesting to note that benefits/housing benefits letters - whatever you call it! letters for the flats which no longer exists and the letters are quickly removed and never left out in the hallway with other unclaimed post. (the landlord's friend lives in the building).

I think i will based my decision on when i call the deposit protection people and go from there.

Thanks once again WWH!

Your most welcome.

Re the bond, you might not get it back easily but, one way or another, you CAN get it back if that's what you want. This is exactly what the TDP is there for! Even if they haven't used the TDP. But fingers crossed that you get it back the easy way.

pyueck

rentinginlondon wrote: »

Hi all

I am due to move out of my studio next week, I phoned the estate agent to organise a time to do the inventory check but they told me that they do it themselves without me there.

I am not happy with that as do not trust them! but they said that's the way they do it and it's final!

Can I enforce my right to be there. I have a feeling they may not have put my deposite into a deposite scheme - not sure if I should rock the boat now and ask or wait until they do the inventory check and take it further. I am working part-time and studing part-time and can not afford to lose any of my money (it's £700).

The flat will be left in better condition then when I found it so hopefully it will be okay. But i still do not trust them!

Thanks!
Linda

Don't get stressed about the checkout inventory, they are legally meaningless, despite what the agent may tell you. A completely untrained person, who is completely biased, looking at the state of a property he may have not even seen before. Just make sure you take photo's of every part of the house when you leave.

rentinginlondon

Thanks Pyuek - i think I am getting myself worked up way over this so thanks for the reminder not to get stressed!!

rentinginlondon

Well I called the deposit schemes today (3 of them) and the deposit is not held in any of them.

The last person I spoke to advise me to wait and see if them return my deposit and then seek legal advice if they do not return it all although they couldn't really advise me what to do.

In terms of the inventory checklist - not sure if this is obsolete as the estate agent/landlord did not sign it?

Now, I have to make some decisions regarding my rent owing rent!

sooz

pyueck wrote: »

Don't get stressed about the checkout inventory, they are legally meaningless, despite what the agent may tell you. A completely untrained person, who is completely biased, looking at the state of a property he may have not even seen before. Just make sure you take photo's of every part of the house when you leave.

The inventory is important, to both landlord & tenant.
Inventory clerks are not all 'completely untrained'. The good ones have training and are AIIC registered.
They should have done the check in & check out, and are not biased. This is why both parties pay the inventory clerks fees - usually the landlord pays the inventory make & check in report, & the tenant the outgoing check & dilapidations report.

They are not 'legally meaningless'.

sooz

rentinginlondon wrote: »

Well I called the deposit schemes today (3 of them) and the deposit is not held in any of them.

The last person I spoke to advise me to wait and see if them return my deposit and then seek legal advice if they do not return it all although they couldn't really advise me what to do.

In terms of the inventory checklist - not sure if this is obsolete as the estate agent/landlord did not sign it?

Now, I have to make some decisions regarding my rent owing rent!

Who told you to wait?

Do you currently have your Landlord's address? If not, write (a proper letter, sent recorded delivery) to the agent, requesting your Landlord's address. You can only do this whilst you are still a tenant, not once you have moved out.

The inventory checklist you have is not obsolete, as you say you signed it. Did you send in any alterations to it? Do you have a copy of what you sent, & proof that you sent it?