Inventory/check-out questions

fluffy123

Hi all,

Handed in my notice a month ago and the tenancy is due to finish on Sunday 29th, which is fine and I've contacted all relevant utility companies to give them this date to cease all bills in my name.

However, the letting agent have staff unavailable for check-out until Wednesday 1st which is fine and I can make that. However, they claim that I'm still responsible for rent and all bills in that time (I've already cancelled my rent SO as per their T&C's), is that enforcable as I'm moving out as per my rental agreement and it's not my fault that check-out can't occur sooner? I'm concerned they'll try and claim this from the deposit.

Also, when moving in, a check-in inventory was done which was a printed document which we had to handwrite the differences on on two copies and then sign ourselves and by the person who was there. We have one of these copies and they should have the other. What will the check-out document be? their copy of the check-in document with all the handwritten modifications and then we work off that?

Finally, when moving in, we were provided with a couch and chair. However, there is no description of condition of these in the inventory, just brown leather couch, brown leather chair. The chair had some scuffs, a couple of minor rips and tiny holes in the arms. As there is no description in the inventory and it was something we both omitted at the time to note, I take it the onus is on them to prove we caused that damage?

Thanks for your help in advance.

theartfullodger

Did they (or landlord, who your contract is really with) formally accept your notice??

(If not..) The expiry date of of tenant's notice matters: Was your expiry date the last or first day of a tenancy period (not necessarily the same as rent payment periods), please?

Just in case take LOADS of photos when you leave, ideally with a witness:

Regarding deductions see what these clowns ask for: They might be sensible, maybe not. If they are silly simply explain to them you will be raising a dispute with the deposit scheme.

fluffy123

theartfullodger wrote: »

Did they (or landlord, who your contract is really with) formally accept your notice??

(If not..) The expiry date of of tenant's notice matters: Was your expiry date the last or first day of a tenancy period (not necessarily the same as rent payment periods), please?

Just in case take LOADS of photos when you leave, ideally with a witness:

Regarding deductions see what these clowns ask for: They might be sensible, maybe not. If they are silly simply explain to them you will be raising a dispute with the deposit scheme.

They did indeed. Rent payment is the 30th of every month, therefore we handed notice in on the 28th to reflect moving out on 29th March which is the last day of the tenancy period before a new month, if that makes sense?

We will be taking loads of pictures anyway and we have pictures of the property when we moved in which will reflect the handwritten amendments on the check-in report?

However - if by any chance, they produce a check-out report for us to go through which is different to the check-in report that was signed and completed, do we refuse to sign the check-out report?

Thanks. We should have noticed the chair when we moved in but it was all moving in excitement and took us a few days before realising. The chair can still be used, the damage isn't major (I wouldn't expect they could claim for a whole new chair as that would be betterment) but we had endless issues when we moved in and we're going to leave the property in a great condition when we leave so I'm loath for them to have any of my deposit money.

G_M

fluffy123 wrote: »

Hi all,

Handed in my notice a month ago and the tenancy is due to finish on Sunday 29th, which is fine and I've contacted all relevant utility companies to give them this date to cease all bills in my name.
1) you will still need to contact utilities on 29th with meter readings
2) 'due to finish' =?? Was your notice valid ie correct length and if not did the landlord/agent agree the tenancy end date? How?

However, the letting agent have staff unavailable for check-out until Wednesday 1st which is fine and I can make that. However, they claim that I'm still responsible for rent and all bills in that time
see my question above
(I've already cancelled my rent SO as per their T&C's), is that enforcable as I'm moving out as per my rental agreement and it's not my fault that check-out can't occur sooner? I'm concerned they'll try and claim this from the deposit.
if the tenancy end date is 29th, then they cannot claim rent beyond that, but that depends on my question above

Also, when moving in, a check-in inventory was done which was a printed document which we had to handwrite the differences on on two copies and then sign ourselves and by the person who was there. We have one of these copies and they should have the other. What will the check-out document be? their copy of the check-in document with all the handwritten modifications and then we work off that?
there are different ways to do check out? I do not know their process. However, deductions can only be made for damage/missing items - the 2 reports are the usual way to indicate this, but not the only way

Finally, when moving in, we were provided with a couch and chair. However, there is no description of condition of these in the inventory, just brown leather couch, brown leather chair. The chair had some scuffs, a couple of minor rips and tiny holes in the arms. As there is no description in the inventory and it was something we both omitted at the time to note, I take it the onus is on them to prove we caused that damage?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Did you damage the chair?

Did you give proper notice? See


* Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

See also:


* Deposits (payment, protection and return)

theartfullodger

You do not have to sign any check-in or check-out report: You do not have to be there (but it is probably wise to be). Unless you get the report you want t may be wise to merely ask for a copy of the report "to consider at your leisure" & you'll get back to them in x days. If they refuse it won't help their case with deposit adjudicator

G_M

fluffy123 wrote: »

They did indeed. Rent payment is the 30th of every month, therefore we handed notice in on the 28th to reflect moving out on 29th March which is the last day of the tenancy period before a new month, if that makes sense?
Souns correct. So tenancy ends on 29th and they cannot charge rent beyond. The scedule for inspection is irrelevant.

We will be taking loads of pictures anyway and we have pictures of the property when we moved in which will reflect the handwritten amendments on the check-in report?
is that a question?

However - if by any chance, they produce a check-out report for us to go through which is different to the check-in report that was signed and completed, do we refuse to sign the check-out report?
if the check out acurately describes the property why would you refuse to sign? The format of the report is irrelevant. It's what it says that matters. However, you may not even be asked to sign

If you caused damage, deductions are fair.

If you did not, they are not.

fluffy123

The tenancy end date is the 29th which we have stuck to.

Damage wasn't caused by us, was there upon moving in as per posts above.

theartfullodger

See what they do about their daft & illogical demand for rent for 30th: Keep us informed & good luck!

(Artful, a landlord)

fluffy123

Yeah, will do