Checkout - estate agent don't want me present. Can I insist?

G_M

Actual wrote: »

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.

Thet are not being 'like this' - the landlord is. The agent is just doing what the LL tells them to do.

There is no obligation on the LL to actually spend the deduction on the work (assuming it was justified). Just as if someone scratches your car and pays for the damage, you can choose to pocket the cash and drive around in a scratched car if you wish.

Raise a dispute though.

franklee

Read the inventory that was done at the start of your tenancy to check what it says about the garden. Unless there's anything to the contrary you should return the garden in the same state as it was in the inventory (less fair wear and tear). So if the grass was neatly cut then it should be nearly cut when you left. If the grass was unkempt then it can be unkempt now etc. If you disagreed with the inventory you would have raised it back then preferably with photographic evidence. If the state of the garden isn't on the inventory point out that the agent hasn't proof of the initial state to compare with now. In other words assessing the garden should be done just like inside the property by comparison with the inventory, maybe that's stating the obvious but often the garden is forgotten when an inventory is taken.

Reue

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

Note that if your contract states it needs to be professionally cleaned, then you need to arrange one and keep the receipt.

This is incorrect. The tenant is only required to return the property in the same condition that it was originally supplied. If a tenant is capable of cleaning their property 'to a professional standard' then no professional cleaning company is required.

All of the deposit protection schemes have reitterated this point many times.

chanz4

its normaly the agent, as they get a fee per job raised. our old landlord didn't even know about the so called defects that they backed down on

Actual

OK, thanks for all the advice everyone. Most useful. I will be sending a letter before action next week and taking them to court in the new year. Question, my LL lives in Scotland and whilst my tenancy agreement names him (the LL), the address to serve notices is Countrywide's address in Nottingham. Additionally, the tenancy agreement states the TA was drawn up by Entwistle Green Estate Agents (part of the Countrywide group).

So, who am I suing? The LL (c/o Countrywide), Entwistle Green or Countrywide?

dodger1

Actual wrote: »

OK, thanks for all the advice everyone. Most useful. I will be sending a letter before action next week and taking them to court in the new year. Question, my LL lives in Scotland and whilst my tenancy agreement names him (the LL), the address to serve notices is Countrywide's address in Nottingham. Additionally, the tenancy agreement states the TA was drawn up by Entwistle Green Estate Agents (part of the Countrywide group).

So, who am I suing? The LL (c/o Countrywide), Entwistle Green or Countrywide?

What exactly are you suing for?