Getting rent deposit back

sdavies2009

Hi all! My first post! My contract was up at the end of January and I moved out (just of my room, the other 2 tenants are staying there), cleaned the flat and it was in good condition. (Better than before actually as my boyfriend fixed a couple of things that the estate agents never sorted out in 2 and half years!) Someone came round to inspect my room, took some photos, said it looked fine. I then asked about my deposit. He said to phone the office in 2 weeks, which I thought was odd, but maybe had something to do with protection scheme? Anyway, a new tenant moved in and the complained to the letting agents about the state of the room. She said it was dirty as there was dust on the skirting board. The agents sent someone round to clean it. The girl then moved out after 3 days as the room was too cold and she has "issues" in her life at the moment and is seeing a psychiatrist. I waited the 2 weeks, phoned the letting agents and they said they would transfer my deposit. Nothing has appeared and now they are saying that they need to take some out for cleaning the room! Are they allowed to do this? Especially as the tenant who complained isn't even there any more? And that the agent who inspected it said it was fine? Also, I read something about having a pin number with the protection scheme. I never got this so could they be making it up that the deposit is protected?

Any help would be appreciated!

AndyGuil

It is in a deposit protection scheme, apply for all of it back with the DPS and use the description you gave about them saying the room was fine.

tbs624

AndyGuil - do you know the OP, given that you state that the deposit *is* in a protection scheme and that the one used is DPS?

AndyGuil

tbs624 wrote: »

AndyGuil - do you know the OP, given that you state that the deposit *is* in a protection scheme and that the one used is DPS?

If it is not then take them to court and you will get more than the deposit back. Ask them where the deposit is held.

sdavies2009

What is "OP"?

tbs624

sdavies2009 wrote: »

Hi all! My first post! My contract was up at the end of January and I moved out (just of my room, the other 2 tenants are staying there), cleaned the flat and it was in good condition. (Better than before actually as my boyfriend fixed a couple of things that the estate agents never sorted out in 2 and half years!) Someone came round to inspect my room, took some photos, said it looked fine. I then asked about my deposit. He said to phone the office in 2 weeks, which I thought was odd, but maybe had something to do with protection scheme? Anyway, a new tenant moved in and the complained to the letting agents about the state of the room. She said it was dirty as there was dust on the skirting board. The agents sent someone round to clean it. The girl then moved out after 3 days as the room was too cold and she has "issues" in her life at the moment and is seeing a psychiatrist. I waited the 2 weeks, phoned the letting agents and they said they would transfer my deposit. Nothing has appeared and now they are saying that they need to take some out for cleaning the room! Are they allowed to do this? Especially as the tenant who complained isn't even there any more? And that the agent who inspected it said it was fine? Also, I read something about having a pin number with the protection scheme. I never got this so could they be making it up that the deposit is protected?

Any help would be appreciated!

Welcome as a newbie

Were you on an individual tenancy agreement? If yes then your deposit should have been scheme registered individually.

If your LL wishes to propose deductions then s/he will need to have a jointly signed inventory or other evidence of the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy. It is not relevant whether a new T was not happy with the level of cleanliness - what matters is that you returned the room/property in the same condition as originally let to you, save for fair wear and tear and whether the LL can adequately prove that you didn't

If you don't agree with the proposed deductions ( which should be in writing) you can challenge them and the LL must pay you back the undisputed balance in the meantime.

If you don't know which deposit scheme may have been used then check online using the property address - the schemes are DPS, TDS and mydeposits.

If there has been no registration then you can pursue the LL via the small claims court for the return of your deposit.

Deal with your deposit return in writing and keep copies.

tbs624

sdavies2009 wrote: »

What is "OP"?

- Original poster:)

tbs624

AndyGuil wrote: »

If it is not then take them to court and you will get more than the deposit back. Ask them where the deposit is held.

No the OP won't get back more than the deposit. She is no longer a T at the property.

sdavies2009

Yes, I wondered the same.... The person I spoke to on the phone was called Andy... And thank you to tbs624! Very helpful information!

sdavies2009

Is there a way I can if the address is registered under a DPS? I don't have a pin number or anything as I wasn't given one when I moved in.

rentergirl

Always, always fight things like this: via small claims, but first by making it plain that you are going to fight! Letting agents will always be cheeky, and will try and charge you for what seems like nothing (I HATE it when normal household 'dust' needs a hit squad of professional cleaners in Hazmat Suits...and the tenant must pay.)