Where is our deposit?!

Wee_Willy_Harris

rdchick wrote: »

Ok, I rang TDS they said yep our deposit has been moved and we should have been told by Countrywide that this has happened... as ever we weren't.

So I rang the agents and they said that yes we would be receiving some of our deposit back in 5-10 days... horrah! If we want to dispute the deductions then we would have to do it through mydeposits.co.uk it's £175 for cleaning... when it was cleaner when we left than when we arrived!! Do you think we should try our luck?

Thanks for everyones help xxx

You've nothing to lose and everything to gain by disputing the cleaning charge.

tbs624

Sorry rdchick - your most recent post wasn't there when I started

£175 sounds steep for cleaning. Did you take photos of the property when you moved in and out? What does your inventory/check out report say?

You are obliged to return the property in the same condition as when let, save for "fair wear and tear", which does not include dirt or damage.

If you have already waited 7 weeks for the return of your deposit, then expecting you to hang on for a further 5-10 days for the undisputed part of your deposit to be returned is not on IMO. Tell them you want it within the next three working days and then go and sit in their offices if they don't oblige.

Varying reviews here. Is your branch listed?

rdchick

When the inventory took place on check out the woman said to me, oh this is easy you'll be fine, it's in a lot cleaner condition than when you arrived... I'll check what it actually says in the inventory.

Just want the money back to MOT the car xxx

rdchick

Lol no Tbs they aren't... no surprise there...they are Countrywide - Southampton xxx

catswhiskers4

rdchick, I started the thread yesterday about my sister not getting her deposit back - Landlord wants to keep most of deposit. Help!. She is with Reeds Rains who are basically the same company as Countrywide same parent company, run from the same head office). Both are dreadful, their administration is a nightmare and they are the most disorganised company. Truly awful.

rdchick

Hi Catswhiskers, I saw your thread, I didn't know they were related, they are so awful! xxx

tbs624

rdchick wrote: »

Lol no Tbs they aren't... no surprise there...they are Countrywide - Southampton xxx

There is one review here which seems to be for that office( scroll down - 5 Nov 2009). Seem to be postings for Southampton, Warrington, Glasgow etc all under Abingdon area - obviously disgruntled Ts (and LLs) who have posted after reading a similar complaint to their own so misfiled.

rdchick

Thanks Tbs! We're thinking of copying and pasting that review to them and their head office and say that we're not the only ones!!

We are so angry right now!!

xxx

clutton_2

you have been given a lot of very practical advice as to how to track down your deposit.. have you actually DONE anything or are you just angry and moany ?

Hopejack

Agree with Clutton. Did you check the check-out inventory? Unfortunately the lady saying it's better than you started isn't going to help unless it's written down in some form somewhere.

IF the landlord has evidence that the place isn't as clean as at the start and you have nothing but your word (photos? check in and out inventory?) then I fear you won't get very far with a dispute. You can of course try and see what 'evidence' the LL has or what they are actually claiming for - this will become apparent as part of the dispute process.

You have to bear in mind that the deposit schemes rely heavily on paper evidence (they can't take 'word for it') so think about that before you enter into a dispute. If you feel you have enough evidence then go for it.

Re the cleaning bill, can't say whether it's fair as we don't know the size of the property, whether the tenant had pets/children, if the carpets were cleaned as part of that etc?