Renting and Moving - deposit question

catgotmytongue

I am looking at moving and I am renting. What happens with the deposit I paid on my current home? Will it be paid back in time to use it as a deposit on my new place or will I have to find that?

simpywimpy

It can take up to 6 weeks for the deposit to be returned I believe so I would factor in having to pay it again before you get the old one back

BitterAndTwisted

I have never heard of a landlord agreeing to return the damage-deposit before the property has been surrendered. Your landlord might be more flexible/foolish/less risk-averse

Werdnal

Unlikely ... on a good day with no disputes over the deposit you may get it back within a week/10 days at the earliest.

I assume it is in a scheme and you are not expecting any deductions/damage claims?

catgotmytongue

Thanks for replies. I'll factor it int hen. No damage at all I have been a good tenant.

Manchee

Not only will it prob take some time to get your deposit back, but the Landlord for your new place will want his deposit before you move in. Additionally you can't assume you will get your whole original deposit back, there may be deductions applied by your original landlord for damage. Also, if your original Landlord does decide that he is due money for damage done to the property and you do not agree, this would also cause a hold up regarding your deposit being returned to you.

Werdnal

catgotmytongue wrote: »

Thanks for replies. I'll factor it int hen. No damage at all I have been a good tenant.

You can never be 100% sure of this until the money is in your hand!

Take detailed photos of everything in every room before you leave. If possible, ask to be present at the check-out inventory.
Make sure everything is as clean as it was at the start of the tenancy. You may assure us that you have been a good tenant, but LLs have a habit of looking at things differently. They need proof before they can make valid deductions, but there is no harm in you gathering your own proof too.

catgotmytongue

There is damage from the leaky roof but that isn't going to affect me surely as the roof had been reported 6 times before they eventually fixed it 4 months later.

Thanks thats a good idea to take photos.

Werdnal

catgotmytongue wrote: »

There is damage from the leaky roof but that isn't going to affect me surely as the roof had been reported 6 times before they eventually fixed it 4 months later.

Thanks thats a good idea to take photos.

Did you report it in writing? If not, what proof do you have that you acted in a "tenant-like" manner and reported it in timely fashion to prevent any prolonged water damage. Whilst your LL may be fine about it, never take the chance and always report everything in writing, so you have proof you did so in the event of any dispute.