Timescale for landlord raising a dispute

k1ngston

Some advice please very kind people:
I have just finished my tenancy with a private landlord. The lease was due to finish on 25th August and I paid rent up until that date. I moved out 2 weeks early and as such agreed with the landlord to do the check out and hand the keys back on 14th August.

I met him at the flat on the 14th, took the final readings and gave him the keys back. I thought he was going to do a check out but he barely looked in the rooms before asking me for my bank details to send the deposit back to.

Today (the 29th) I chased him for the deposit as I hadn't received it and he said he is charging me for removal of picture hooks (I put some up with his consent but he is charging to remove, fill and repaint) and for carpet cleaning of one room.

There was no stain on the carpet when I moved out (I didn't take pictures - yes I know I'm an idiot) so I have asked for a picture of it.

After my rambling - is there a maximum time period after the check out that the landlord can raise an issue over the property? And is there anything I can do now?

HB58

Contact the deposit protections scheme yourself and ask for release of your money. The landlord will have to convince them of the fairness of his charges against your deposit.

tbs624

OP - you don't mention

(a) the existence of a jointly signed inventory from the start of the tenancy
(b) whether your tenancy deposit has been scheme registered

Please would you confirm?

k1ngston

a) there is an inventory from the start of the tenancy - I updated it before I signed it.

b) it's in mydeposits, which I think is just insurance but the LL keeps the deposit? I was never sent any information about where it was registered but checking their website does show it.

G_M

To answer your question: no, there is no time limit other than before the deposit is returned.

In any event, since the tenancy ended 25th Aug, I hardly think the 29th would be an issue.

You say you updated the inventory. So what exactly does the updated inventory say about
a) the carpet and
b) the wall where picture hooks are?

Did you get written permission to put up the hooks? Was there any condition(eg to 'make good' when you leave)?

k1ngston

The inventory was updated at the time I moved in - so there is no stain on the carpet and there is no mention of picture hooks.
I didn't have written permission to put up the hooks - just verbal permission and there was no mention of removing them at the end of the tenancy.

I don't really have an issue with the hooks - I accept paying for them if I have to, but the carpet was absolutely fine when I moved out.

I will see if we can resolve it, if not I'll raise a deposit dispute I guess.

Thanks for your help