Rechargeable repairs after moving out of council property

CakeFanatic

Hi,

I am new to this forum and have no idea if I am posting in the right place or anything but I was hoping that someone may be able to offer some advice.

Basically, I recently moved out of a council property into an empty council property, and after I moved the council started to send me letters saying that I had damaged the property, left rubbish in the garden etc etc. None of this is true I might add. The property was in a state when I got it and it was a hell of a lot better when I left it (I am a tidy person who looks after things - honest!). The new property that I now live in was also in a right state when the council let it to me and I have done it up and made it nice at my expense.

Anyway, about these so called rechargeable repairs from the old property... after getting the first letter I appealed the debt and it seems that part of the appeal has been considered successful and most of the debt has been scrapped. However, the council are now writing to me again demanding the rest of the debt (which I do not believe I owe as I didn't cause damage to the property), and they also haven't told me in the letter what the remaining amount is for. It also says that if I ignore the letter or don't pay then they will either get debt collectors after me or take me to court. I have never been in a situation like this before and I'm not sure what my rights are, any advice would be appreciated!

tallyhoh

What damage are they now claiming for? Did they do an exit inspection & do they have photographic evidence of the alleged damage?

FireWyrm

Slightly wrong forum...probably better over at House Buying and Renting, but effectively, what Tallyhoh says....

What is their evidence?

More to the point, was your deposit protected or did you not pay one, hence the 'debt'? I believe the council still have to do the same as every other landlord when it comes to lettings, so there should have been a check-in inspection and a check-out inspection. You have a right to know what the deductions are for and they cannot ask for anything more than fair wear and tear. I would be inclined (as a holding action) to write back (recorded) requesting a detailed breakdown of the charges and on what basis/evidence, they have been levied.

Meanwhile, try Housebuying and Renting forum which has some really knowledgeable people over there.

CakeFanatic

Thanks to you both. I will write back to them to try and find out more about what the charges are for and if they have evidence. They did do an inspection when I left but only asked me to fill in holes (like where I had put shelves up), and I did all of that before I left.

Thanks again for your help.