Landlord & agent not interested in check-out/inventory - trouble ahead?

berkshirelady

Hi there,

I'm about to move out of an unfurnished flat that I've lived in for nearly 4 years. It's very basic and the landlord hasn't done any maintenance on the place for years - it's nearly falling apart! Big problems with mould and damp, despite my best efforts, and the cooker is only fit for the tip - I reported an arcing electrical switch on it in December and its still not fixed.

I've tried to do the right thing, regardless of the poor state of the building and have given proper notice to quit, and I've also arranged for the carpets to be professionally cleaned (even though the cost of the cleaning is more than the carpet is worth, it's so threadbare). I am also going to do a thorough clean including all the windows, etc.

I have emailed the landlord's agent to arrange a checkout on the last day of the tenancy, but there is no inventory, and the agent says that neither they or the landlord can come round, on that day or any other day before the tenancy expires. Apparently the landlord doesn't think a checkout is necessary. I've had an email saying 'leave the flat clean & tidy and bring the keys back to the office by such-and-such deadline'.

Under normal circumstances this wouldn't bother me too much, but I'm leaving because the landlord tried it on with a massive rent hike, and he is so stingy, I'm worried that he will try any excuse to claw back some money from my deposit.

If there's no checkout, and i have no opportunity to point out the damage caused by lack of maintenance, and can't show them the improvements I've made (e.g. fitting covered vents over gaping vent holes in exterior walls, fitting drain covers to stop rats, plastering gaping holes that appeared in the boiler cupboard), they will try and use this as an excuse to claw back some of the money they will lose because I'm leaving.

At the moment, this property is not fit to let to anyone else at the rent they want, and I'm concerned they'll try and sting me for the shortfall, as it will remain empty for some time, I'm sure.

My deposit is in a protection scheme and I am planning on taking photos, but in some places, the damp and mould is so bad, even a deep clean won't get rid of it, and this is not my fault.

So, I'm after a bit of advice. Should I insist that someone comes round so I can point things out that haven't been maintained properly? Or, should I sit back, take them at their word, and feel confident that email refusing a checkout, would be enough evidence to win out in a deposit protection scheme dispute?

your advice is much appreciated!

thanks :-)

climbgirl

If there is no inventory from the start of the tenancy, they haven't got a leg to stand on if they try and claim any damage is yours. How is there proof that it wasn't there to start with?

I'd take a lot of photos so you have evidence for yourself. I'd also send a recorded letter to the agents requesting a checkout - bit more official than an email if it does go to dispute.

MX5huggy

but there is no inventory

If there is no inventory from when you started renting then they have no evidence of the state of the property so you will get your deposit back, just don't do anything stupid like give the agent your code for accessing the deposit.

berkshirelady

thank you :-)

I thought that a lack of inventory would help, but needed a bit of reassurance on that front. They'll get my DPS code over my dead body!

thanks again :-)