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Rather urgent deposit help needed

Hi all, need some advice.
We handed back the keys to our old property to the letting agents on 9/12/14.
Our tenancy agreement clearly stated that we would be informed of any deductions within 10 working days.
On 24/12/14 (11 working days later) we were informed by the agents that the landlord wanted to make deductions of £185.
We have decided to dispute this amount.
The agents told us on 29/12/14 that we would receive the undisputed amount within 5 working days.
Today (6 working days later) my husband contacted the agents to ask where our money is. He was told we would receive this tomorrow. Several hours later we received an email from them saying that the landlord has decided to add to the deductions he wants to make from the deposit, adding £300 to the amount he wants to keep.
M question is this - Can the landlord add to the deductions he wants to make from the deposit at this stage? It has been over 4 weeks since we handed the keys back and we still haven't seen a penny of our deposit.
Thank you in advance.
«1

Comments

  • Pixie5740
    Pixie5740 Posts: 14,515 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Eighth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Which scheme is your deposit protected with? Have you logged into the scheme to agree the release of the deposit?
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    As pixie said, u need to get in touch with the deposit scheme in question. The LL can add to it, just as he can take you to court.

    The deposit is designed to avoid court disputes.
  • busymum79
    busymum79 Posts: 39 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Deposit is with TDS. There isn't an option on the website for tenants to release the money. So the landlord can just add to what he wants to keep whenever he feels like it? It seems odd that there isn't some kind of cut off for his requests.
  • Pixie5740
    Pixie5740 Posts: 14,515 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Eighth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    If you think the £300 deductions are unfounded then raise a dispute with TDS.

    https://www.tds.gb.com/is-my-deposit-registered.html

    TDS is an insurance backed scheme rather than a custodial scheme but you can still raise a dispute with them.
  • busymum79
    busymum79 Posts: 39 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    We are disputing it, I was really wondering if it is legal for the landlord to submit his deductions and then add to it 3 weeks later.
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    busymum79 wrote: »
    Deposit is with TDS. There isn't an option on the website for tenants to release the money. So the landlord can just add to what he wants to keep whenever he feels like it? It seems odd that there isn't some kind of cut off for his requests.

    Just FYI : he has 6 years in which to chase you
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    busymum79 wrote: »
    We are disputing it, I was really wondering if it is legal for the landlord to submit his deductions and then add to it 3 weeks later.

    Yes it is.
  • busymum79
    busymum79 Posts: 39 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    6 years? How does that work?
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    busymum79 wrote: »
    6 years? How does that work?

    That's how long by law someone can chase a debt
  • busymum79
    busymum79 Posts: 39 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    But it's not a debt, it's our money and surely the onus is on him to prove that he has genuine reasons for making deductions.
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