TDS Deposit Issues

bingy_burge

Ok so first time ever I am looking at losing deposit money on a rented house.

When I moved into the new house with new fridge I asked for a door stop or restrictor because the door opened onto the fridge. I was told no and there is a small dent from the door handle.

As soon as I issued notice I asked how to how resolve this issue. Agent took ages and I chased him. He came back saying the landlord would not expect any dents and wanted a new fridge or door. I priced this up rare whirlpool fridge and was £400 for the fridge £197 for the door. I was unable to get these within the remain 10 days. I offered £75 compensation to the landlord and this was rejected.

Agent told me to get a new fridge and take this one with me. I didnt as advice on another forum was not to. Anyway agent turned a bit funny when I didnt and was pretty picky at check inventory.

It sighted a bulb gone and some dust on a blind and the grass was a little patchy in the garden.

He told me he would send a cleaner to sort this with an estimated cost of £120.

Just before this I had asked in the landlord would accept £200 in full settlement for the fridge as I didnt really want to end in a dispute.

I now have a hand written invoice from some handyman saying he took down the blind as it was loose and did some spot cleaning for £75.00.

They state they want £275 from my £875 deposit and are pressuring me to sign the release form which unprotects my deposit.

I spoke the agent who states the deposit is unprotected anyway in his holding account and just needs my form so he knows what account to pay the money into and that both myself and partner have signed it and it has my new address on it.

I am suspicious and I am not sure what to do, my gut says register a dispute.

RAS

What exactly did it say about each item on the inventory when you moved in?

[Deleted User]

Its a bit late now but given the minimal cost of a door stop http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oval-Door-Stop-Brass-Chrome-Doorstopper-Interior-Floor-Doorstop-Door-Stops-New-/121185881885?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE&var=&hash=item1c373dcf1d, ten minutes intallation (if that) and the high cost of fridge door replacment.., perhaps you could have considered doing it yourself rather than risking the situation you are in now. You knew the door could damage the fridge, yes the LL should have had such a thing in place.., but you could have done it too.

bingy_burge

Fridge was new the agent did a photo inventory with very little comments. The house was a ex new builld show house.

The checkout inventory was done by an independant clerk.


The blind was put up after we moved in I supplied it and the agents man fitted it when he came to sort the leaky toilet agent said this was fine.

I had offered the in an email £200 to sort the fridge dispute but I am just fed up with them and how they have behaved now.

Is email cast iron and they can have the £200 whatever now?

He wants £275.

bingy_burge

deannatrois wrote: »

Its a bit late now but given the minimal cost of a door stop http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oval-Door-Stop-Brass-Chrome-Doorstopper-Interior-Floor-Doorstop-Door-Stops-New-/121185881885?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE&var=&hash=item1c373dcf1d, ten minutes intallation (if that) and the high cost of fridge door replacment.., perhaps you could have considered doing it yourself rather than risking the situation you are in now. You knew the door could damage the fridge, yes the LL should have had such a thing in place.., but you could have done it too.

I suggested but I wasnt allowed to damage the floor. It has to be lifted after we moved in due to builder problems with the floor. Had 12 visits from builds in 21 months!

Since I told not to I didnt want a bill for new kitchen flooring.

Anyway we are were we are!

Annie1960

It sounds to me like you did what you could in practical terms to point out to the LL that the fridge would be damaged because of its proximity to the door, and you even offered to fit a door stop which was refused.

In your position I would open a dispute and refuse to pay anything unless that was decision of the company that had the deposit.

Your LL can't have it both ways. There was already a dent in the fridge when you moved it, you pointed this out, offered a reasonable solution to prevent it getting worse, and the LL refused.

jjlandlord

"It's not my fault, it's the door" I like that.

If OP saw that the door could damage the fridge but did nothing, or wasn't careful, and the door did damage the fridge then it is squarely his liability. He had a duty of care.

G_M

OP performed his duty of care by reporting the poor design to the LL, and the risk of damage. LL refused permission for OP to protect the fridge, and thus accepted the risk.

The blind was bought by the OP, so condition of blind a checkout (dust??) is moot.

OP should have changed the lightbulb.

LL failed to register the deposit.

OP should suggest that if the deposit is returned in full without further delay or quibling, he will overlook the failure to register the deposit as per Housing Act and Localism Act.

jjlandlord

G_M wrote: »

OP performed his duty of care by reporting the poor design to the LL, and the risk of damage. LL refused permission for OP to protect the fridge, and thus accepted the risk.

Not so.
The duty of care obviously includes being careful and/or protecting the fridge from the door in a way that does not require damaging the rest of the property.

This is the same for all issues in the property, even if the landlord has a duty to repair once he has been informed: The tenant must always behave in a tenant-like manner and do what he can to minimise further damage.

mrginge

OP damaged the fridge.
(S)He can't just discharge their responsibility by notifying the LL of a risk.

DRP

I'd sort out the deposit issue before anything else.

The op may have shot themselves in the foot with the written offer of 200 quid (accepted responsibility)?