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Problems getting deposit back
borobabe
Posts: 8 Forumite
Hi all, I have had a quick read through and it seems we are in the same position as a lot of posters on here - my LL/LA is taking time to return our deposit.
The tenancy ran for 18 mths (in England) and we made the decision to move out at the end of March 2012. We have rented for a number of years now so know the ropes and have always done a thorough clean of the property before leaving, but this time we also touched up scuffs on the walls, filled in and painted over any pin holes etc to make sure the house looked lovely when we left.
The LA/LL are disputing £350 of our deposit, saying the carpets upstairs need a deep clean, curtains are stained and the garden (which was completely landscaped) needs weeding. They have said it is unlikely we will get any of the outstanding sum back, but I can't see how this work would cost that much.
Is the garden our responsibility? If there had been a lawn we would have obviously kept it looking tidy, but as it was poorly landscaped and the groundsheet (is that the correct word?) was so badly placed that it was inevitable that weeds would come through.
We have always had a good relationship with the LA and the LL has been personable but a little slow getting repairs done, so obviously we want to resolve this amicably if we can.
(and if it does turn out that cleaners/gardeners can earn £350 for minor work I might just change careers!)
The tenancy ran for 18 mths (in England) and we made the decision to move out at the end of March 2012. We have rented for a number of years now so know the ropes and have always done a thorough clean of the property before leaving, but this time we also touched up scuffs on the walls, filled in and painted over any pin holes etc to make sure the house looked lovely when we left.
The LA/LL are disputing £350 of our deposit, saying the carpets upstairs need a deep clean, curtains are stained and the garden (which was completely landscaped) needs weeding. They have said it is unlikely we will get any of the outstanding sum back, but I can't see how this work would cost that much.
Is the garden our responsibility? If there had been a lawn we would have obviously kept it looking tidy, but as it was poorly landscaped and the groundsheet (is that the correct word?) was so badly placed that it was inevitable that weeds would come through.
We have always had a good relationship with the LA and the LL has been personable but a little slow getting repairs done, so obviously we want to resolve this amicably if we can.
(and if it does turn out that cleaners/gardeners can earn £350 for minor work I might just change careers!)
0
Comments
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It is your responsibility to hand the property (and garden) back, as you found it when you moved in.
Do the carpets need a deep clean?
Are the curtains stained?
Did the landlord conduct an inventory when you moved in?
Is your deposit protected?
Has he provided you with a breakdown of the costs?0 -
There should have been a dual-signed inventory at the start of your tenancy. That is the standard by which the property should have been judged when you handed it back.
What I think you should do is interrogate all three deposit-protection scheme's websites and find out whether your deposit was actually registered. It should have been by law if your tenancy started after April 2007. The three schemes are DPS, TDS and MyDeposits
If it has been registered, claim the whole of your deposit back immediately. Should the landlord insist on claiming any deductions you can then dispute them if you haven't already reached some agreement.
Next, WRITE to the landlord and/or their agent and ask them to provide documentary evidence of what their proposed deductions are. Like a check-out inventory showing marked differences from the check-in. If no check-in, then they have no evidence that any money they are claiming is rightfully theirs.
Come back for more advice once you've done the above. Post your results/further questions in this thread for continuity.0
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