Can they deduct a surcharge from deposit?

aldredd

We're moving out in a couple of months - they have already 'reminded' us that they will charge a £35 check out fee, but reading through the original contract, they also charge a 10% surcharge +VAT on any work/cleaning/repairs that they have to have done when we leave.

Can they do this?

We have no intention of them finding anything wrong - we're moving out 5 days before we hand back so will have plenty of time to get it spotless, but knowing them to be the money-grabbing gits they are, I have little doubt that they will find something wrong.

One thing I know they will be on the look out for it mould on one of corner of one of the window sills. Because it's a new property, it has to be well ventilated, but over winter, it was just far too cold to be able to have even the vents open for very long each day, so a bit of mould (like a pink colour) did appear on the plaster. To be fair, we didn't report it, but they were aware of it, as it was noted during an inspection soon after, and nothing said / done about it from them. Is this still our responsibility / liability? I'm fairly confident I can get it back as new, but I know they will be checking closely!

clutton_2

i doubt very much if an Arbiter in the deposit protection scheme would allow a "surcharge" - a LL can claim cleaning costs... end of....

aldredd

clutton wrote: »

i doubt very much if an Arbiter in the deposit protection scheme would allow a "surcharge" - a LL can claim cleaning costs... end of....

Thanks, I suspected as such.

aldredd

I wonder - in the inventory, there are many (colour) pictures included of the property.
A I entitled to see full-scale versions of these images. There is a scuff on a wall we noticed a few days after moving in and we're not sure if it was there already - the image is too small to see.