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Landlord deducting deposit for missing lightbulbs!
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dominoman
Posts: 973 Forumite
I have been paying rent for three years and kept the place immaculate. I had it professionally cleaned before leaving and in all the time there I never once asked the landlord for anything.
Now they want to deduct from my deposit because three of the spotlights have blown bulbs (There are so many of them in the kitchen that I hadn't even noticed).
Seems a bit pedantic doesn't it?
Now they want to deduct from my deposit because three of the spotlights have blown bulbs (There are so many of them in the kitchen that I hadn't even noticed).
Seems a bit pedantic doesn't it?
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Comments
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not really if they were working when you moved in, then you should make sure they are working when you leave.
However.......
I am sure people will be along to tell you about checking the inventory (if you had one) when you moved in to see if it specifies, otherwise they might have trouble getting a deduction.Debt free since July 2013! Woo hoo! The bank actually laughed when I said I have come in to cancel my overdraft.0 -
Pedantic yes, but they are your responsibility assuming they worked when you moved in.
It would be even more pedantic and futile to dispute the deduction provided it is a fair price.0 -
OK. Fair enough. They have just told me they are only charging £10 which seems reasonable. When we moved in hardly any bulbs were working and we had to buy a whole batch of the 12V spotlights - but I can't prove that.0
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Paying the rent for three years doesn't absolve you from the responsibility of returning the property back with the same number of working light-bulbs as when your tenancy started.
It costs money for someone to be contracted to buy and install them, and I see no reason why your landlord should have to bear that cost rather than you.0 -
When we moved in hardly any bulbs were working and we had to buy a whole batch of the 12V spotlights - but I can't prove that.
In which case, your position could be a complete fiction. Use this situation to prevent the same happening to you again. That's what dual-signed check-in inventories are for.0 -
OK. Fair enough. They have just told me they are only charging £10 which seems reasonable. When we moved in hardly any bulbs were working and we had to buy a whole batch of the 12V spotlights - but I can't prove that.
Very, very reasonable.They deem him their worst enemy who tells them the truth. -- Plato0 -
Lesson learned !
Check everything when you move into or look at a rental property or a property you are looking to BUY!
carry a small lamp to plug into all the sockets!
Look up at all the spotlights! turn on all the light fittings in every room.
If you find damage or blown bulbs take photos with DATE STAMP and REPORT to the Letting agents and Landlord In WRITING ( letter with stamp posted from post office with proof of posting) You can also email BUT send a letter please.
If you do this you have the proof of any problems, damage, blown bulbs when you moved in
Good Luck0 -
Probably not worth the fuss over £10, but as said previous, they need evidence it the bulbs were working when you entered the property. This will be the inventory, if it says anything about the bulbs in the kitchen, well done, you've saved a tenner. If not, no big loss.
Maybe someone else can clarify something I don't know about the inventory. If it doesn't mention something, which is later found, and doesn't work. Because its not listed as an issue, is that considered proof in support of the Landlord to get the tenant to repay? for example, i doubt the inventory here list "all light bulbs working".
I suppose the responsibility to report it to the landlord during the tenancy rests with the tenant and its a case of tough luck after that.*Assuming you're in England or Wales.0 -
Ask them to prove they were working before, or say they worked when u leftDon't put your trust into an Experian score - it is not a number any bank will ever use & it is generally a waste of money to purchase it. They are also selling you insurance you dont need.0
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