Deposit return after end of tenancy

bathwiggle

I'm asking this for my OH.

He lived in a rented house for 3 years, signing a new contract each year. The contract ended on the 13th June, he cleaned everything as much as he could, there were some scuffs on the walls and the carpets looked exhausted, even after washing them with a Vax.

We are now at the 23rd july and he hasn't received anything back yet. They have (today) said they want to charge £340 for a broken plastic light, which will have been at least 3 years old, and for a burn mark on a carpet in the kitchen. He isn't disputing the burn or the light, but the amount, given the carpet was old to start with and didn't cover that larger an area (the kitchen was less than 10 x 6 with units both sides

The deposit was protected but i don't know what scheme.

I've told him to ask for an itemised bill to see what they are charging for each thing. Is this correct and does he have any rights to be complaining?

Thank you in advance

Werdnal

Check the website for the 3 schemes:

Mydeposits
DPS
TDS

and you can search by address and tenancy details to see who has the deposit. You can apply to the scheme for release of the deposit and raise a dispute if you do not agree with LL deductions.

Did the LL provide you with the prescribed information for the scheme used within 30 days? If not, you can apply to court for the penalty for failing to comply fully with the protection regs (1-3x the deposit value). In theory, this is a long and costly process, via the County Court, but LL may bow to the suggestion of it to return the deposit without question.

Check out the Shelter website for advice on deposits and a template letter to the LL to enquire about the scheme and whether they have complied with the regs.