LA withholding some of the deposit

Natkinson

I really object to being called a bad tenant! I rented the same place for 4 years, had quarterly inspections on the property and during that time I had absolutely no complaints from the LA or the LL apart from a few late rent payments earlier this year. The late payments from a couple of years ago were caused by my flat mate at the time, who I got rid of. What you must remember bitterandtwisted is that life is not all Black and White and things happen that can cause these issues. After explaining my problem to the LA I was told at the time that everything was fine and I wouldn't be charged if the payments were made, which they were.

BitterAndTwisted

A person can only judge a situation as it is described by someone else at the time. There was nothing else to go on but what you chose to disclose.

Still, I think the path of least resistance would be to accept this small deduction and move on. I really don't think that the landlord not being explicit at the time about the interest charge is a get-out clause for you being charged now, especially if you signed a tenancy agreement which made you both jointly and severally liable.

Meatballs

Doesn't cost anything to go through the dispute service. They could always try it on and change what they are deducting from the deposit, but I would hope the dispute service takes a poor view of that.

Do you need a reference from the LL in future?

Wings

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

A person can only judge a situation as it is described by someone else at the time. There was nothing else to go on but what you chose to disclose.

Still, I think the path of least resistance would be to accept this small deduction and move on. I really don't think that the landlord not being explicit at the time about the interest charge is a get-out clause for you being charged now, especially if you signed a tenancy agreement which made you both jointly and severally liable.

Very much agree, to the OP for £60 move on, do not cause waves, never no when you might need reference etc.

clutton_2

""I really object to being called a bad tenant!"

Sorry - but good tenants pay their rent on time....

if your employer paid your salary late every now and then with no warningn ..... how would you like that ?

If a charge is in the AST then it can be claimed for .... at any time during the tenancy and up to 6 years afterwards, so please stop going on about how you would not have minded if this..... if that....

Move on and learn how to deal with your finances in a better manner in your next property - and yes i am a landlord

tbs624

Natkinson wrote: »

The charge has bee requested by the LL at the end of the tenancy to cover the interest on the late rent payment and not by the LA to cover their admin costs. I am being charged 3.5% on each late payment.

You say that this charge equates to 60 quid - have you checked their maths? How long did it take you to bring your rent payments up to date?

Experienced LLs who have a T contact them in advance to let them know there might be difficulties with getting the rent paid by the due date sometimes choose to forgo any (reasonable) interest payments agreed in the contract terms, so long as the T gives a firm date by which payment *will* be made.

You can't however simply expect to be able to use the LL as a free overdraft service

If the clause is clear and the charge is reasonable then you are likely to have to cough up

dukesy_2

Natkinson wrote: »

I really object to being called a bad tenant! I rented the same place for 4 years, had quarterly inspections on the property and during that time I had absolutely no complaints from the LA or the LL apart from a few late rent payments earlier this year.

thereby jeapordising the landlords ability to pay any mortgage in place, affecting his credit rating, being charged by HIS lender etc etc

The landlord is well within his rights to enforce the contract you agreed to

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