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Disagreement with letting agent

Skag
Posts: 480 Forumite


I was renting a 1 bedroom flat for 5 years. During that time the flat changed 4 LAs.
CARPET
The flat had leaked 3-4 times from a window in the bedroom due to a clogged drain (a bird blocked it the first time, I don't know about the rest). The result was a massive stain in the carpet. The director of the 1st LA came and inspected, apologizing, and also hired a couple of carpet cleaners to steam clean it. The stain remained, however the director said "that's ok, we are aware of this anyway". Naively, I didn't record this, however fortunately I do have a chain of emails crying out for help on this. The last time the window leaked was under the 4th LA, and he is aware of it. He did take action after a day or two claiming that the problem is fixed.
FURNITURE
After the end of the tenancy, we left a brand new, though big, wardrobe in the room, which we had agreed with the 1st LA to remain in the flat after we moved out. Also a large cabinet in the kitchen, which provides additional storage (and there is not much storage in the property by default).
WINDOWS
Lastly, the sash window ledges were not cleaned when we moved in, so we left them as they were (again, I didn't ask from the LA to clean them, but how would I know...)
The LA said that
I phoned him and started explaining my points above, he agreed that it's a bit complex situation, however at the end he stated "look, we will keep some money from your deposit anyway!".
I replied, "what do you mean? you need to justify that".
He agreed and asked me to email him my points so that he can forward them to the LL. Also, I informed him that if we disagree at the end of the day, we might as well go to the TDS dispute service, but he said he's sure we will work something out and that we won't need that.
I wrote an email stating that:
The next day, the LA phoned me up stating that "ok for the carpet and wardrobes, however I believe that we should deduct X amount of money to clean the windows".
I said that the windows were in this condition when we took the flat and that is the sole reason we left them like this. Plus, there was no reference of the windows state in the inventory so they will just have to take it. He replied that since there is no reference, the windows should be cleaned. I replied that I am not negotiating, I just don't accept the charge.
In conclusion, we can clearly see that:
I had to share it with this marvellous forum as I always do in such situations.
Thoughts?
- The initial where I let it from
- Another one when the owner went into administration
- A third after it got sold
- A fourth one which still remains and I have to deal with
CARPET
The flat had leaked 3-4 times from a window in the bedroom due to a clogged drain (a bird blocked it the first time, I don't know about the rest). The result was a massive stain in the carpet. The director of the 1st LA came and inspected, apologizing, and also hired a couple of carpet cleaners to steam clean it. The stain remained, however the director said "that's ok, we are aware of this anyway". Naively, I didn't record this, however fortunately I do have a chain of emails crying out for help on this. The last time the window leaked was under the 4th LA, and he is aware of it. He did take action after a day or two claiming that the problem is fixed.
FURNITURE
After the end of the tenancy, we left a brand new, though big, wardrobe in the room, which we had agreed with the 1st LA to remain in the flat after we moved out. Also a large cabinet in the kitchen, which provides additional storage (and there is not much storage in the property by default).
WINDOWS
Lastly, the sash window ledges were not cleaned when we moved in, so we left them as they were (again, I didn't ask from the LA to clean them, but how would I know...)
The LA said that
- There were no curtains in the living area
- The carpet hasn't been cleaned
- The window ledges haven't been cleaned
- The oven was dirty (with an attached picture)
- There were extra furniture that needed to be removed with an X cost for the removal company
I phoned him and started explaining my points above, he agreed that it's a bit complex situation, however at the end he stated "look, we will keep some money from your deposit anyway!".
I replied, "what do you mean? you need to justify that".
He agreed and asked me to email him my points so that he can forward them to the LL. Also, I informed him that if we disagree at the end of the day, we might as well go to the TDS dispute service, but he said he's sure we will work something out and that we won't need that.
I wrote an email stating that:
- There were curtains in the living room, highlighting the part in the inventory
- I explained him the story with the carpet, attaching a handful of emails from the conversation with the previous LAs
- I attached a picture I took from the oven when we cleaned it just before we left, explaining that what he sees now is most likely rust that developed the last 1.5 months, and suggesting that the oven gets replaced
- I suggested that the wardrobe, if anything, it adds to the flat and I could gladly pay someone (but do it myself) to come and collect it, however I believe that would be a minus
The next day, the LA phoned me up stating that "ok for the carpet and wardrobes, however I believe that we should deduct X amount of money to clean the windows".
I said that the windows were in this condition when we took the flat and that is the sole reason we left them like this. Plus, there was no reference of the windows state in the inventory so they will just have to take it. He replied that since there is no reference, the windows should be cleaned. I replied that I am not negotiating, I just don't accept the charge.
In conclusion, we can clearly see that:
- The LA didn't even pay attention on what's in the inventory i.e. curtains
- They tried to charge a stain for which they knew that I wasn't responsible for
- They tried to imply that the oven hasn't been cleaned
- They try to charge me windows cleaning
I had to share it with this marvellous forum as I always do in such situations.
Thoughts?
0
Comments
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Get onto the TDS website and claim the whole of you deposit back now.
If there's no reference to how clean the windows were on check-in it's perverse to claim they are any dirtier now.
In revenge you can expect them to charge you for the removal of furniture which you have left behind, whether you think it's a benefit to your landlord or not. To them it's just unwanted junk.0 -
I totally agree for the wardrobe and cabinet, and to be honest, I would prefer to be charged for the removal of those two rather than to pay for something that I haven't done. It's a matter of principle. Thanks for the suggestion about the TDS, I will look into it asap.0
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This matter of principle could cost you dearly. Like far more than a bit of window-cleaning.
Window-cleaning: £30
Removal of furniture and disposal: £100-plus0 -
Indeed it might, however I will send someone to come and collect it, I could have done it whilst still in the tenancy (when I moved out), and asked from the LA to come and inspect for this purpose, and they never did. Though he replied "don't worry, leave it on me". This is all written in email.
By the way, how can I claim my deposit back? Do I need to start a dispute?0 -
Which scheme?
Check their website for the claims procedure....0 -
Indeed it might, however I will send someone to come and collect it, I could have done it whilst still in the tenancy (when I moved out), and asked from the LA to come and inspect for this purpose, and they never did. Though he replied "don't worry, leave it on me". This is all written in email.
By the way, how can I claim my deposit back? Do I need to start a dispute?
Is it actually protected? Contact the scheme if it is. You should have the details(if it is)0 -
In revenge you can expect them to charge you for the removal of furniture which you have left behind, whether you think it's a benefit to your landlord or not. To them it's just unwanted junk.
Not necessarily. The OP did state that the wardrobe was agreed by the first LA to stay in the property. This is as if the LL themselves has agreed it. Technically if agents 2, 3 and 4 were not aware of this, it has no bearing.
Of course I doubt there was any written record of this, which may make it meaningless in practice. Suspect arbitration would just rely on check-in and check-out documentation.0 -
It is protected with TDS, I've got all the details.0
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As an update to this, I spoke with the manager of the LA, and he reassured me that he would solve it asap. They did indeed return the whole amount of the deposit the next day.
Thank you all for your input.0
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