Timing of check-out inspection?

Fire_Fox

girl_withno_name wrote: »

The LA are now saying that should a dispute be raised then any costs incurred in preparing and providing evidence to the DPS will also be submitted to the DPS for reimbursement from our bond - is this something they can do? Apparently this information was given in the contract (which I don't have access to at the moment to check) and the check-out notes (can't find anything in here)

They've also given a 'final offer' which they seem to be trying to push us into agreeing to today... despite both me and my OH being in work, so not being able to discuss properly until this evening!

Have they put this in writing? Are you dealing with them via e-mail or telephone, if so why when you are in dispute? If it is in writing how very silly of them to try to blackmail you into not exercising your legal rights. If not ask them to put their proposed charges and an explanation into writing. Make sure you copy this to the DPS arbitration service. They cannot charge you for using the DPS service, they would have to charge the landlord because they are working on his behalf.

girl_withno_name wrote: »

I suspect that they will be submitting reading that don't match the readings we have submitted (not sure by how much) - since the LL has been using gas/elec and carrying out work since we were last at the property, but before the end of our tenancy.

On the utilities front they claim they have a duty to advise these companies on behalf of the landlord so that our telephone call will be followed up with written confirmation.

Don't worry about what you suspect at this point, you are stressing yourself out needlessly. Submit your readings ASAP and pay the final bill ASAP. As I have said several times, their readings are OPENING readings for the landlord's new account. It's fine for them to submit that, but nothing to do with you submitting your CLOSING readings for your account. I have no idea why you are debating this with them, your account is your private business and not in any way related to your deposit.

girl_withno_name wrote: »

Also - if they originally suggest one amount for deduction from deposit and then later submit a higher amount to the DPS - does anyone know how this would be viewed by the DPS?

Maybe the first was an estimate and the second a quote. Don't muddy the waters and get bogged down in nitty gritty, deal with what is submitted to DPS.

girl_withno_name

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Have they put this in writing? Are you dealing with them via e-mail or telephone, if so why when you are in dispute? If it is in writing how very silly of them to try to blackmail you into not exercising your legal rights. If not ask them to put their proposed charges and an explanation into writing. Make sure you copy this to the DPS arbitration service. They cannot charge you for using the DPS service, they would have to charge the landlord because they are working on his behalf.



Don't worry about what you suspect at this point, you are stressing yourself out needlessly. Submit your readings ASAP and pay the final bill ASAP. As I have said several times, their readings are OPENING readings for the landlord's new account. It's fine for them to submit that, but nothing to do with you submitting your CLOSING readings for your account. I have no idea why you are debating this with them, your account is your private business and not in any way related to your deposit.



Maybe the first was an estimate and the second a quote. Don't muddy the waters and get bogged down in nitty gritty, deal with what is submitted to DPS.

We have been dealing with them by email since we didn't think we'd be in dispute and thought we'd be able to come to an agreement quite quickly by email. I will contact them tomorrow (in writing) to request this information as you suggest.

We called last night to give the final readings and close the accounts, we'll be paying the bills as soon as they arrive. It is not our intention to debate this with the LA, but we contacted them to say "done this, so you don't have to" (since they were planning to) and got this "duty to inform" response.

The first seemed to be charging for A, B and C... the second also for D, E and F.

Apparently they're soon to start charging us an hourly rate if this is not resolved...

Fire_Fox

girl_withno_name wrote: »

We have been dealing with them by email (in the hope this would get resolved quicker)... and we didn't think we'd be in dispute. I will contact them tomorrow (in writing) to request this information as you suggest.

We called last night to give the final readings and close the accounts, we'll be paying the bills as soon as they arrive. It is not our intention to debate this with the LA, but we contacted them to say "done this, so you don't have to" (since they were planning to) and got this "duty to inform" response.

The first seemed to be charging for A, B and C... the second also for D, E and F.

You clearly need a copy of the checkout report and photos, you can't easily dispute when you have no clear idea what you are arguing against. You have been in dispute ever since you discovered the entry on the DPS.

When you ask them about the proposed costs of going through DPS arbitration IMO quote the e-mail so it's clear you are not offering to cover these costs, you are querying them. You might also ask them to explain why they are not proposing to charge their client the landlord for acting on his behalf.

girl_withno_name

I am definitely feeling like they're trying to pressure us into accepting the proposed deposit deductions - final deadlines, declaring charges for preparing DPS disputes... this hardly feels like a reasonable position for them to have put us in.

Fire_Fox

Part of the pressure is you are dealing with this via e-mail so they know you are reading them virtually instantly and can reply instantly without taking the time for a few deep breaths.

girl_withno_name

My OH seems to have caved into the pressure (and not wanting the hassle of a dispute through DPS) and has now emailed to accept this 'final offer'.