Advice - Problem Landlord & Incompetent Letting Agent

meyouandbabaloo

Hi


Looking to get some advice if possible.


Been in a rental property since August 2010, renewing annually after first 6 month period. Last renewal we could only renew for 6 months. Within 2 months of renewing landlord announces he is selling and we could stay in until February and the end of our contract, or if we found somewhere else could leave earlier.


We found somewhere and left 3 weeks ago. House sold before we moved, everything agreed just waiting on completion. Letting agent comes to do final check and calls us up afterwards stating that there are marks on the stairs wall and the shower runners needed cleaning. I offered to repaint the wall which was accepted and steam clean the shower. She said this would be fine to do after consulting the landlord.


I did all of this and sent a text to the letting agent to notify. Heard nothing for a week, and today get an email with at least 2/3 things that the landlord wants doing in every room, involving contract cleaners and redecorating.


The letting agent will not send me the original report that she sent to the landlord stating the 2 things that needed doing.


I feel that the landlord is looking to recoup mortgage cost for another month before the sale finalises. We have never had written confirmation that the tenancy has ended, and the landlord took it upon himself to inspect the property at the weekend, despite the letting agent already having completed a full report, which we were not given a copy of.


We have been extremely good and patient tenants, often waiting for months for work to be done. We are tempted to contact the buyers (we know where they live) and outline all of the work that still needs completing, including the ongoing electrical problems and the need for an entire shower cubicle to be replaced. However, this probably wouldn't resolve our deposit issue!


Could anyone advise where I stand on this matter?


Sorry for the lengthy post, if more information is required please shout.

G_M

Either agree to the costs the LL wishes to deduct from your deposit, or not!

If not, initially negotiate, and if you cannot reach agreement, raise a dispute with your deposit scheme.

(If this is Eng/Wales, the deposit IS with a scheme, yes?)

meyouandbabaloo

Thanks for the reply, yes the deposit is with the DPS

ihatemyhouse

I get the feeling most LL treat the deposit as a free months rent, as it is mazing how many problems need fixing when someone has left a property and unable to get back in to fix it

meyouandbabaloo

The thing that baffles me the most is that the house has been sold, just awaiting contract exchange. what is the point of redecorating????


Clearly the buyers are happy and will more than likely want to redecorate anyway.....

G_M

ihatemyhouse wrote: »

I get the feeling most LL treat the deposit as a free months rent, as it is mazing how many problems need fixing when someone has left a property and unable to get back in to fix it

That is because you spend time reading this forum, and assume that the problems tenants raise here represent what happens to all tenants.

Only tenants with problems (deposits, repairs etc) post here. I've never done a study, but, say 5 new ones a day? 35 per week? Outof the hundreds, nay thousands of tenants.

You cannot generalise.

And in most cases the deposit schemes, and their dispute resolution processes, have solved the problem,or at least hugely reduced it, compared to pre 2004 Housing Act.

meyouandbabaloo

I agree that generally only negative experiences are posted, I can honestly say that I have never considered posting a positive tenancy, I will in the future!


I suppose my basic question is; should I insist on what the letting agents told us, as they are the ones we have dealt with over the last 3 years. They did the check in and check out.


The house was dirty when we moved in, we had to clean it. I don't believe the landlord got involved with the check out then!

Guest101

What does the inventory say? Just return it to that less 3 years wear and tear

meyouandbabaloo

Hi


The letting agent went round with us with the original inventory and the only things that she noted were scuffs on the wall and the runners on the bottom of the shower door needed cleaning.


She agreed with the landlord that I could repaint the wall, which I have done. I bleached and steam cleaned the runners on the shower door as best I could. There was still some dirt/erosion. This is probably due to the shower not being used for 6 months, we were waiting it all to be replaced as it leaked.


Thanks.

Gwhiz

When my last LL sold he took the view that the buyer was paying for the house as it was, and therefore did not bother with a check-out inventory.

He just gave me back the entire deposit and thanked me for being a good tenant - which was nice

meyouandbabaloo

That is what we thought, after over 3 years of no problems!

It feels like because we moved out early he is recouping an extra months mortgage payment.

We are still awaiting the check out report from the letting agent!