Leaving a flat and letting agent is taking the Michael :/

TeamMCS

Good evening all,

Over the last year I've been renting a flat in London. When I visited the flat it was a bit of a state (nasty walls, dirty floors, horrible sofa. A real stereo-typical ex-student digs). Anywho, it was a good size and I figured for the right price I could make it work.

When I agreed to take the flat I noticed a 150+VAT exit fee. I originally questioned it as I thought that was not representative of an itinerary and F+F report (if it is I'm in the wrong job). After some !!!!!ing they wouldn't move so I sucked it up.

Moving on a year later I have been told to offer my notice or renew for a year (despite my contract saying I can go month to month). Having recently bought a house I had no choice but to offer termination.

Since this time they have visited the flat and informed me that I have to have the flat professionally cleaned (with receipt) and the sofa "as it was new when I moved in" also professionally cleaned (again with receipt). This to me seems very very excessive. For one I don't actually use the Sofa (I dont watch TV, and I'm not really around the flat that much) and I always keep the flat in a good state (it's significantly cleaner than when I arrived).

Right now they have £1100~ of my deposit and I have to pay one final rental payment of roughly £990. Given all these mysterious fees they're whipping up I'm tempted to just withhold the rent.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I was considering having a word with my solicitor. I'm not so bothered about the cash but people who aren't in my position can't afford such excessive fees.

G_M

TeamMCS wrote: »

Moving on a year later I have been told to offer my notice or renew for a year (despite my contract saying I can go month to month). Having recently bought a house I had no choice but to offer termination.
Rubbish. Move to a SPT. See link below.

Since this time they have visited the flat and informed me that I have to have the flat professionally cleaned (with receipt) and the sofa "as it was new when I moved in" also professionally cleaned (again with receipt).
Your obligation is to leave the flat as it was at the start, less fair wear and tear. How it was at the start is determined primarily by the inventory - did you sign one?

How you achieve this is up to you. Professional clean. DIY. Your mum. What matters is the condition of the property not how you achieve it.



Right now they have £1100~ of my deposit
Is it registered? Which scheme? See link below. Check for yourself.

and I have to pay one final rental payment of roughly £990. Given all these mysterious fees they're whipping up I'm tempted to just withhold the rent.
You pay your rent. That is contractual.
The other stuff - see comments above.


Does anyone have any advice for me? I was considering having a word with my solicitor.
waste of money unless it is free.

I'm not so bothered about the cash but people who aren't in my position can't afford such excessive fees.

Deposits (Rules on deposit protection)


Ending/Renewing an AST (what happens when the Fixed Term ends?)(What is a Periodic Tenancy?)(How can a LL remove a tenant?)(How can a tenant end a tenancy?)

TeamMCS

Cheers G_M,

I just had a look through my tenancy. The original inventory "exit fee" is in there (150+vat). Nothing more nothing less is there than the usual "don't wreck the place or start a cult" junk.

The email I received earlier (in addition to a few others) is paraphrased below (edited to avoid matches)

"...have the sofa professionally cleaned, a receipt will need to be an original not a copy..."

I'll have a read into the deposit details. Cheers for that

mrginge

'Offer my notice or renew for a year' what a crock.

Anyway, as per usual the question that has to be asked is what does your dual signed inventory say about the state of the place?

And don't withhold rent, you're not allowed.

TeamMCS

mrginge wrote: »

'Offer my notice or renew for a year' what a crock.

Anyway, as per usual the question that has to be asked is what does your dual signed inventory say about the state of the place?

And don't withhold rent, you're not allowed.

Cheers, I'll pay the the rent. Back in the old days that was fairly common..

... The original inventory wasn't flattering. As I mentioned the flat wasn't in a great state and the inventory company (not the same as the agent) did a fair job in reflecting that. That said they did replace the sofa which was in less than stellar condition (think men behaving badly)

TeamMCS

mrginge wrote: »

'Offer my notice or renew for a year' what a crock.

Yeah what's a PITA is I only wanted an extra month...

TeamMCS

Actually I've just spotted a irritating clause and I quote

"To arrange for the property to be professional cleaned on the termination of the Tenancy. To pay for any cleaning services that may be required to reinstate the property to the same order that it was provided at the commencement of the tenancy including the washing and ironing or cleaning of all linen, carpets and curtains which shall have been soiled during the tenancy"

PasturesNew

They do try to disguise the fact you can "do nothing" at the end of a contract and just carry on, on a rolling periodic monthly contract. Mine did that - it was only because I knew - and phoned them to tell them what I was doing - that "let" me do it.

Their letter was clearly offering me two options: Renew/pay another fee, or leave.

They are cheeky/sneaky b*stards.

My check out's going to be £75 (+VAT to pay for some posh MP to have some posh wine on his expenses, which p's me off too).

It's the way of the world and it's not good......

TeamMCS

Yeah it really needs to be stopped. The original concept of renting was to pay a nominal fee to live leaving the owner compensated to maintain the property.

As it stands, the tenant is becoming liable for everything. I'm glad I'm getting out of this farce.

frisbeej

So is there a Royal College of Sofa Cleaners or Institute of Sofa Technicians now?


I would tell them to jog on.

G_M

TeamMCS wrote: »

Actually I've just spotted a irritating clause and I quote

"To arrange for the property to be professional cleaned on the termination of the Tenancy. To pay for any cleaning services that may be required to reinstate the property to the same order that it was provided at the commencement of the tenancy including the washing and ironing or cleaning of all linen, carpets and curtains which shall have been soiled during the tenancy"

Ignore the clause and see your responsiblity as explained above.