Landlord took too much out of my deposit / added things to the list of costs

king_walnut

Hi there, I hope this is the right place on the forum for this, but if not then please direct me elsewhere.

Basically I have recently moved out of a flat and have been awaiting the return of my deposit. There were numerous charges added to this and most of them are completely accurate, except they've added 4 things to the list which are completely wrong.

They've charged me for a new vacuum cleaner that was in perfect working order when I left it (that they claim was missing). They've also charged me for a missing shower curtain that was still there, and replacement of missing toilet roll holders and towel rails that were definitely still there.

I'm not sure how strong my position is on this matter but I am 100% sure that they have added these extra charges just to keep more of my money. Is there anything that I can do at all?

Please help

Better_Days

Was there a dual signed inventory and did you have a check out inspection? If so were these items present?

king_walnut

I was absent during the check out inspection. Though there was a dual signed inventory when I moved in.

G_M

England? scotland?
Deposit registered?
Where?
Check-in inventory? Signed by you? Saying what?
Check out inspection? Date?
Date tenancy ended?
Witnesses?
Photos?

Werdnal

Assuming this property was in England/Wales, was your deposit protected in a scheme? If so, you can use the scheme to challenge the deposit deductions, which is what it is there for. Scotland now has deposit protection legislation, but has only been introduced recently, so may not apply depending on how long your tenancy was.

Was there a move-in and move-out checklist/inventory? LL needs to prove these items were missing/damaged, not you prove they were not. If LL does not have written proof then they cannot blame you for the losses.

king_walnut

G_M wrote: »

England? scotland?
Deposit registered?
Where?
Check-in inventory? Signed by you? Saying what?
Check out inspection? Date?
Date tenancy ended?
Witnesses?
Photos?

England

Deposit was held in the DPS scheme apparently.(I have ID numbers and stuff)

Inventory was done by me and an inventory clerk before I moved anything in. It just listed what was there and we both signed it. She also took pictures of everything.

I have not been advised of the check out inspection date. My tenancy ended on the 28th January.

I didn't take any pictures prior to leaving as I didn't think they'd try to screw me over in such a stupid way ,oh how na!ve I was.

My girlfriend could vouch that everything was there when we left, as she helped me move out.

G_M

king_walnut wrote: »

England

Deposit was held in the DPS scheme apparently.(I have ID numbers and stuff) Check!

Inventory was done by me and an inventory clerk before I moved anything in. It just listed what was there and we both signed it.
Does it say the vacuum was working?
She also took pictures of everything.

I have not been advised of the check out inspection date. My tenancy ended on the 28th January.
What on earth have you been doing for the last 3 months!?

I didn't take any pictures prior to leaving as I didn't think they'd try to screw me over in such a stupid way ,oh how na!ve I was.

My girlfriend could vouch that everything was there when we left, as she helped me move out.

Put in a request for release of your depsoit in full. Raise a deposit dispute. Get off your backside and start chasing your deposit!

king_walnut

Do I request this from the DPS? Or what do I do? I only want to contest about half of the inventory, as it's only half that's wrong.

This is the first flat I've ever been in / moved out of so can you treat me like a 5 year old? I'm so angry right now that I'll be up at the stroke of 9am making very angry phonecalls. I'm livid.

I probably wouldn't have noticed if they just overcharged me for the cleaning and whatever else is on there .. but to add 4 blatant lies, I am absolutely furious.

G_M

Read the 'Prescribed Information' that you were given when the deposit was registered. It will tell you what to do.

If you were never given the 'Prescribed Information' (or were not given it within 30 days of paying the deposit) then sue the landlord for 3 times the deposit.

Deposits (Rules on deposit protection)

Localism Act 2011 (section 184 - updates to deposit scheme rules) Plain English explanation!