can they do this? letting agent and deposit

an9i77

my partner and i are coming to the end of a 12 month tenancy. we've just had a letter from the letting agents saying that the cost of any cleaning/repairs will be deducted from the deposit. so far, so normal. but they have quoted some eyewatering examples of cleaning charges which make me think they will try and retain most of our deposit. eg any cleaning no matter how small will incurr a 150 pound admin fee and additional 150 pound charge just for starters, then on top they willcharge eg £65 to clean the cooker, £75 to clean a carpet. So even if we clean the flat as best we can before we move out, they can come in see a speck of dust and wack on a £375 charge. And who's to say whether it's clean or not - naturally they will be the ones doing the inspection, after we've gone.

I'm really hacked off about this as it's blatantly an attempt to avoid giving back our deposit. But apparantly we have signed up to this when we signed the initial contract. Is there anything we can do when they (inevitably) take the p and present us with a massive ov erinflated bill at the end?

angrypirate

Take part in the inspection which should be on the day you move out.

Do you have a check in inventory where the condition of the property is detailed? If not, non of these charges can be upheld

an9i77

There is an inventory. I don't object in principle to them charging for cleaning etc but its the amounts and things like the £150 'admin fee'. It would be incredibly easy for them to say we have not cleaned it to their 'standards' and then wack on a massive bill so that they can keep the deposit. Would I have any comeback against this. Is there anything at all I can do?
Are all letting agents as bad as this or did we just get unlucky?

bebewoo

If you are in England, you can contest any charges the agent may try to deduct with the scheme in which you deposit is held. Find out which one it is held in.
If you got the flat cleaned professionally yourselves and kept receipts you would therefore be able to contest any deductions they tried to make.
I would not think that the deposit scheme would uphold exorbitant admin costs and would only allow cleaning costs for which the agency could provide receipts. Take photos as well on the day you leave for evidence.

bebewoo

PS yes a lot of letting agents are as bad as this. They would charge you for breathing the air in the property if they could.

BitterAndTwisted

Instead of feeling victimised by these threats accept them for they are: a warning not to leave the property in need of cleaning. If the check-in inventory was a true and accurate reflection of the condition of the property then you will be expected to return it in exactly that condition. Be present for the check-out inspection. If you disagree with any potential deductions I doubt the scheme's arbitrators will let the agent get away with any £150 "admin fees" for arranging any cleaning.

an9i77

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Instead of feeling victimised by these threats accept them for they are: a warning not to leave the property in need of cleaning. If the check-in inventory was a true and accurate reflection of the condition of the property then you will be expected to return it in exactly that condition. Be present for the check-out inspection. If you disagree with any potential deductions I doubt the scheme's arbitrators will let the agent get away with any £150 "admin fees" for arranging any cleaning.

B and T as I said I don't have any problems in principle for them charging for cleaning. Just my finely honed 'on the make' detector is twitching as I would resent having to pay, eg £375 for someone to clean a carpet when the real cost would be a fraction of that. Wouldn't anyone? I never said I felt victimised - I just want to know that the system is fair and that I'm not being taken advantage of.

BitterAndTwisted

The deposit-protection scheme's arbitrators are fair as far as I know. The agents can threaten all they like but they won't get away with a bunch of made-up inflated charges. But they would very much like you to think that they can. Now you know better and your blood-pressure can return to normal

Scho

An9i77 - I know exactly how you feel and what you're going through.
I moved out of a rented flat in Feb and the contract and letters I received from the LA prior to move out seemed extremely scary and got my back up like yours prior to the move out. Especially with the charges listed for anything - I think moving an object from 1 room to another if not correct on the inventory would have cost £35!

Clean everything to a high standard and leave the place in the same or better condition than you left it and you will generally have no issues and even if they try to claim on your deposit this can go straight to arbitration. Take photos on your exit of everything, especially any area you may feel they may take notice of, then as recommended to me previously print all these off in a slide format and sign and date them, and get a witness to do the same.
They can only charge you for damage or poor maintenance - fair wear and tear is not something you're expected to pay for and is normally highlighted as such in the contract. So if a carpet was wearing thin at the start of the tenency you can't be expected to replace it.

The result for me was getting 100% of my deposit back, and the LA manager who came had never seen a place cleaner and took her very little time to do a quick check. Fingers crossed you get the same eh. Good luck.

an9i77

thanks all I rang the letting agents and they have backtracked somewhat, they said the admin fee would depend on the amount of damage/cleaning but the maximum they'd charge was 150 plus 150 for cleaning and it would be much less if the flat was left in a decent state. They are with the dispute resolution service and said if I disputed the amount of deposit I got back then it could be referred to them. I think the letter was designed to be a bit scary, think they went ott with that but at least they can't say I wasn't warned.

ilovecheese

I am just about to move out of my third rented property in to my forth.

I have always received my full deposit back, when you are cleaning a few things that you may overlook when cleaning (and the agents won't!!)

Doors, door frames and the tops of doors
Light and socket switches
Skirting boards
Clean under kitchen cuboards
clean curtain poles

I usually spend about 7-8 hours cleaning, to make sure the property is spotless!