PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING
Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.
Checkout - estate agent don't want me present. Can I insist?

Actual
Posts: 15 Forumite
I have moved out of my rented property (we have recently bought). I am handing back the keys on 25th November and the estate agent has planned checkout for 27th November. I have asked to be present at the checkout and was surprised how hesitent the agent was in allowing this. First of all, they said that it was "highly unusual" for a tenant to be present at the checkout, when I said I was fine with being an unusual case they then insisted that they could not provide me with a timed appointment for the checkout. When I complained this was unreasonable, they have said the only time they can do the checkout is 9am and there is no other timeslot available. I am not able to attend at 9am (but could manage later in the day, with a 5hr window say 12-5) but the agent are insisting that it has to be 9am on the 27th and no other date/time is possible.
Can I insist they provide alternative times/dates?
Can I insist they provide alternative times/dates?
0
Comments
-
Can't find anything which says you have the right to be present at the check out.
Personally (if you haven't already done so) I would go round to the property the day before and take photographs of everything consulting with the inventory as you do so.
eg. inventory says clean oven then a picture of the clean oven!
If there is no inventory then the LL hasn't got much chance of making a deduction from the deposit, which I presume has been protected.
Just cover yourself, particularly if you moved out some time ago (take a duster etc) Don't want a deduction for dust on.............. grass not cut blah blah blah.0 -
Thank you pmlindyloo, all good advice there. The house has been cleaned thoroughly in and out. The estate agent did an inventory without us there and provided it when we got the keys. I disputed some facts on the inventory within the stipulated 5 working days on their paperwork. I intend to take pictures, as you suggest, of everything mentioned in their inventory (effectively replicating their pictures from 12 months ago).
The deposit has been protected.0 -
Strange. My contracts usually had a clause along the lines of "if you choose not to be present at check out then that's your look out".
If it was let furnished, ensure everything is back in the position stated in the inventory. Take photos of the meter readings too.
Note that if your contract states it needs to be professionally cleaned, then you need to arrange one and keep the receipt.They are an EYESORES!!!!0 -
When does your tenancy end? If it ends before the checkout then I guess you don't have the right to be there. If it ends after the checkout then I guess you do, but they don't have any obligation to do it at a time convenient for you.Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.0
-
Are the agents doing the inventory check out themselves? Agencies I've worked for in the past have always employed independent inventory clerks, and it's always been a given that the outgoing tenants would be in attendance. Take photos of the condition before the inventory takes place.0
-
Thank you everyone for your advice. The property was let unfurnished, but thanks for the advice about photographing the meter readings - I wouldn't have done that!
My contract states the carpets need to be professionally cleaned - while we haven't hired a company to do that, we own carpet cleaning vacuum cleaners etc so the carpets look like brand new! It would be very difficult for the agent to claim they haven't been "professionally cleaned" (how do they know if I am a carpet-cleaning-professional or not lol?)
The tenancy is due to end 19th December 2014, however the agent has already re-let the house and agreed (verbally) that the tenancy can end early on 25th November. When I hand they keys over I will be insisting on this in writing. The agents want to do the checkout 2 days after handing over the keys.
The agent is a member of Countrywide and it looks very much like it will be a Countrywide staff member who will do the checkout - although it hasn't been made clear.
I have since written to Countrywide telling them I cannot make their "only available date/time". If they try any underhanded tactic to deduct something from my deposit (totally expected!) then I can raise the point with the tenancy deposit scheme the fact that I was not able to attend the checkout because Countrywide were unreasonable.
Thanks everyone - I'll update this thread once checkout has happened.0 -
As others have said Take lots of photos and make sure place is clean and dust/dirt free,
Take photos of meters on day you leave ( Dated ) and if possible send copies of paid utilities !!
Claim your deposit back from deposit people the day you leave0 -
As promised, here's the update (and it's not good). I replicated all the pictures from the intial inventory on 24th Nov and handed the keys back on the 25th. The new tenants moved in on the 30th Nov.
After no word back from the letting agent, I called them on 1st Dec and asked for my deposit back. I was told that the landlord was 'thinking about making a deduction for gardening', this is despite the garden being in the same condition as it was 12 months ago and the tenancy agreement only stipulating 'seasonal maintenance' (it's the middle of winter right now)!
I called the letting agent a week later to ask if there was any reason why the deposit has not been returned and was told that the landlord wanted to make a deduction for gardening, but they were having trouble getting hold of him (he lives in Scotland). I say, not my problem!
I have raised a dispute with MyDeposits, with whom the deposit is protected.
I admit, I was prepared for them to be like this - considering their attitude from start to finish in terms of repairs (or lack thereof).
Additional: It should be noted I have not moved far away, there is no sign of any gardening having been done by anyone.0 -
just dispute the gardeningDon't put your trust into an Experian score - it is not a number any bank will ever use & it is generally a waste of money to purchase it. They are also selling you insurance you dont need.0
-
Please fight them all the way.
They HAVE to prove that damage was caused.
Grass grows and so do plants
Ask for every penny of your deposit0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 241K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.7K Life & Family
- 254.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards