How long should we wait for deposit to be returned?

Tiger_greeneyes

Two months ago, we moved out of a rented house.

Because we had to give two months notice - but it took one month from exchange to completion - we had to forego £600 for one months rent and move out halfway through our notice period.

Our tenancy eventually ran out a month ago, despite handing back keys seven weeks ago.

We've been really patient about getting our deposit back. I called the bank today and they've still not credited our account with the deposit.

I rang the estate agent and was told that someone would call me back. I'm still waiting...

The estate agent agreed that the house was in far better and cleaner condition when we left, than when we moved in. We also had to wait two months for an oven to be installed :mad:

Does anyone have any ideas on what we can do next please?

Topsy1_2

Check the tenancy agreement and it should say in there somewhere how long the agents have to return the deposit. Its usually in the region of 14 - 21 days, assuming there are no deductions.

Its irrelevant when you handed the keys back as the deposit will only be returned after the end of the tenancy, not when you actually moved out. Sounds like the agents have forgotten about you because you moved out quite a while ago.

Ask the agents whether a check-out has been done, and if it has and there are no deductions, I think a bit of gentle harrassement is in order....

Melissa177

I would go and visit the EA in person. It is easy to ignore phone calls, but very hard to ignore a person sitting there and refusing to budge until the cheque is signed!

Tiger_greeneyes

Topsy1 wrote: »

Its irrelevant when you handed the keys back as the deposit will only be returned after the end of the tenancy, not when you actually moved out. Sounds like the agents have forgotten about you because you moved out quite a while ago.

We handed the keys back asap - if there was a break-in or squatters for example, it was nothing to do with us

Topsy1 wrote: »

Ask the agents whether a check-out has been done, and if it has and there are no deductions, I think a bit of gentle harrassement is in order....

The EA met us at the house and did hand-over and check-out at the same time. We knew we'd have to wait, which is why we've been so patient.

Tiger_greeneyes

I think I'll try the subtle approach and call them again tomorrow.

We're going to be near the agents in a couple of weeks (it's a 50 mile round trip so we don't go there often) so we'll pop in then if needs be. Mr TG is 6'6" so I expect they'll be taking us more seriously I won't tell them he's a puddycat though

Wings

On my tenancy agreements I state that deposits will be refunded one month of the termination of the tenancy, this is allow a period for the tenant/s leaving to settle all their service bills. It is however not uncommon for me to refund the deposit at the time of the tenant/s vacating the premises, much depending on my knowledge and history of the tenant/s.

Tiger_greeneyes

Thanks Wings.

I don't know how I would have managed if I was waiting for my deposit to put down as a deposit on another let.

If my landlord had sold the house, for instance, and I'd not saved up a deposit for a new let, I'd have been homeless :eek:

Just wondering, do you know where I stand about getting money refunded because we had no cooker for two months? Is it possible?

Wings

Firstly it is unusual for a tenant to have to give two months notice, the standard notice where the rental payments are monthly is one months notice.

As for being without a cooker for two months, that you should have addressed at the time, nothing to stop you raising the matter with the landlord now though, although I doubt you will achieve any satisfaction from the landlord.

Tiger_greeneyes

We brought it up on a very regular basis, Wings. What can you do when the agent blames it on the landlord for being uncontactable? You can't withhold rent, or take it out of the deposit...

I'm beginning to think renters have very little in the way of rights.

Melissa177

I had a rental agreement which was two months notice, and the landlord was constantly "uncontactable". Very suspect!

I wouldn't be subtle if I was you - subtlety is lost on LAs!

Wings

Tiger_greeneyes wrote: »

We brought it up on a very regular basis, Wings. What can you do when the agent blames it on the landlord for being uncontactable? You can't withhold rent, or take it out of the deposit...

I'm beginning to think renters have very little in the way of rights.

If you ever find yourself in a similar situation again, then you allow the LA or LL a reasonable time to either supply or carry out a repair, if they fail within that reasonable time to do either, then you inform the other party that you will either supply or carry out the repair at their expense, the costs being decucted from your next rental payment.