Deposit Return [Help wanted]

diso

I started renting a property about five years ago.

When I was meant to move in the property, which was a new build, wasn't finished. I had to wait a couple of weeks, then moved in but still various items were not finished. I catalogued all these faults, photographed them, and agreed them all with the landlord. I paid £650 deposit, which was put into a scheme.

When it came to moving out, my choice, I rang the landlord/LA, i was told the person I was speaking to wasn't able to deal with people moving out and was given an e-mail address.

I never received a response from the LA, nor to follow up e-mails and phonecalls, the "post tenancy manager" was never in the office. Two days before my next rent payment was due I got a phone call from an estate agent saying they had been asked to measure up, advertise for a new tenant and get the keys off me. I asked the LA to confirm this was correct, no response. I asked if this counted as the inventory check out, no response.

As I had already moved out by then I handed over the keys. Three weeks later I got an e-mail off the LA offering me my bond back less a couple of hundred, this deduction was for repairing light fittings and cleaning.

Here's my issue:

11 lights (spot lights) did not work when i moved in, as agreed, 4 didn't work when i moved out (the LA wants repair money for 4). As these were never working, all the lights that were had been repaired by myself, I feel I shouldn't pay for this.

During my tenancy, being a bit lazy, I had a cleaner. As part of the deal with the cleaning company, because I'd had them over five years, they do a big clean upon moving out, and will refund any deposit money I lose due to cleaning. So in a way, I don't care if the LA want's to deduct money for cleaning, I can get that back from another source. However, when I've asked for a company of the cleaning invoice/check out inventory, so that I can claim this back, guess what, they haven't responded.

Last point. I've had no contact from the deposit scheme, which is how I thought it worked. When I contacted them, they told me that my deposit had been removed from the scheme three years ago.

As the LA will not respond to my contact, what do you suggest as my course of action?

pmlindyloo

The first thing to do is to check when your tenancy began and, if applicable, check with the protection schemes whether your deposit is with them.

Here is a link for the procedure:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/tenancy_deposits/tenancy_deposit_protection_schemes

Then come back and tell us if your deposit should have been protected and if it was.