Agent dragging feet

EmmaBridgewater

Seems a standard story but my agent is dragging their feet returning our deposit (£750). We moved on 1st June but contract ended 8th July. Formal letter sent 18th (out of country) they have said they have ten working days but know they've carried out inspection in early July as we gave back one set of keys early and when I popped back to have a final check everything was out of place!

I contacted agent to make sure they'd got the letter (even though we delivered it by hand after hours) and they again said they had ten days. Today is working day 8. Friend living in same block has been charged £150 for a pre existing smear on the settee and 'general cleaning' so I'm getting a bit worried.

If they haven't replied by working day ten is there anything I can do?

Thanks

Werdnal

You were told on the thread you posted about this yesterday that you need to go to the website for the deposit scheme and claim back your deposit.

Are you going to start a new thread every day to try to get different replies?

If your agent does not respond, claim the whole deposit back. If the agent tries to make what you feel are unfair deductions, start a dispute through the deposit scheme arbitration process. That is what the deposit scheme is there for, so use it!

You do know which scheme your deposit is with don't you? Have you been online to check it? You may need to confirm the release of the money through the scheme anyway, so check it is there and your ID number works, so you are ready to take whatever action is necessary if the agent don't cough up.

You can only be charged for damage/repairs that are proven to be your responsibility. Were you given an inventory at the start of the tenancy, as if the agent/LL does not have written proof of the start condition, versus the end condition at the check-out, they will find it hard to provide any evidence of their claim on your deposit.

ValHaller

Previously https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4726701

EmmaBridgewater

Werdnal wrote: »

You were told on the thread you posted about this yesterday that you need to go to the website for the deposit scheme and claim back your deposit.

Are you going to start a new thread every day to try to get different replies?

If your agent does not respond, claim the whole deposit back. If the agent tries to make what you feel are unfair deductions, start a dispute through the deposit scheme arbitration process. That is what the deposit scheme is there for, so use it!

You do know which scheme your deposit is with don't you? Have you been online to check it? You may need to confirm the release of the money through the scheme anyway, so check it is there and your ID number works, so you are ready to take whatever action is necessary if the agent don't cough up.

You can only be charged for damage/repairs that are proven to be your responsibility. Were you given an inventory at the start of the tenancy, as if the agent/LL does not have written proof of the start condition, versus the end condition at the check-out, they will find it hard to provide any evidence of their claim on your deposit.

No, because no one has answered my actual question - do they actually have ten days? They've said it like it's law but I can't find anything, I wasn't sure if I could open a dispute without actually having recieved a reply from them.

Yes I know which scheme it's with.

Yes there was a inventory at the start but we weren't involved with the check out process.

I WILL claim after the ten days, I just wanted to know if that was an actual thing or just spiel

donfanatico

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

No, because no one has answered my actual question - do they actually have ten days? They've said it like it's law but I can't find anything, I wasn't sure if I could open a dispute without actually having recieved a reply from them.

Yes I know which scheme it's with.

Yes there was a inventory at the start but we weren't involved with the check out process.

I WILL claim after the ten days, I just wanted to know if that was an actual thing or just spiel

10 (working) days is just an advisory, the dispute scheme will allow more depending if it is reasonable

EmmaBridgewater

donfanatico wrote: »

10 (working) days is just an advisory, the dispute scheme will allow more depending if it is reasonable

Thank you, this is what I wanted to know

Given its been almost a month since they did the check out then I think one more day is enough!

Werdnal

And I replied with what you do if they haven't responded by the 10 days suggested deadline.

I don't think there is anywhere that states it is categorically 10 days, but if you have given them that long, apply for return of the deposit as I advsed above.