Are my estate agents trying to rip me off with my deposit?

aaron87

Hi, me and my partner have just moved out from a house we was renting. When we first moved in, luckily we went through the inventory and found some hidden gems such as iron burns hidden under a rug that where not included on the inventory paper.

In the inventory the bedroom floor (with the iron burns) was stated as "good condition" - remember this for in a minute.

Throughout our tenancy we had a leak in the bathroom when me and my partner where on holiday, when we got back we called up as soon as it was discovered and I said to the estate agent that I had a bucket under it but it was quite a bad leak, they finally managed to send a cowboy around to fix it who always stunk of alcohol (I don't know if this can add to my case) after he fixed it and we managed to clean up all the dampness, the back plasterboard wall was very damp, which we repaired out of our own money.

When we had a house inspection the estate agents came to see where the leak took place and pointed out that the floor had raised conveniently where the leak had taken place, I am 99.9% sure the floor was like that when we moved in and asked to inspect the inventory check list (with pictures), luckily for them in the picture there was a bleach bottle and toilet scrubber on top of where the floor was "raised" (included in pictures), this too said that the floor was in "good condition" the same as the bedroom floor with the iron burn.

They are also trying to charge us a ridiculous price for general cleaning, which I completely disagree as I had 4 people (including myself) cleaning the whole house top to bottom.

I believe that the house is suffering from rising damp as all floors on the ground floor are slightly raising and I reported these issues through our tenancy, we also have pictures as proof for these issues.


Do you think I have a leg to stand on if I dispute any of these issues?

They are currently trying to take the following:

* Burn deposits on the bottom of the oven,cupboard fronts and inside cupboards are very greasy to touch, the extractor fan is also greasy, dust on the boxing in, in the bathroom, the toilet is stained and general wipe over is required - A full clean is required in these areas.
* Cost £48.00


*The laminate flooring in the utility and toilet, has been damaged by a leak which went unreported - The floor has been raised that much it catches on the door - A flooring requires to be replaced in both areas
* Cost £225.00

** add http:// before the link **
(I cannot post links due to being a new user )
s4.postimg.org/sbh8b1qr1/IMG_5891.jpg
(Middle right image of toilet) "Raised floor" under bleach and toilet scrubber

s16.postimg.org/6mk0ptyut/IMG_5897.jpg
Top left picture, hidden iron burns under rug.

s16.postimg.org/hto9k7aut/IMG_5888.jpg
Bottom of oven conveniently hidden but they're trying to charge me for burn marks?


Pictures attached are from the original inventory from when we originally moved in.




Sorry for the long thread but I really cannot afford to lose more than half of my deposit for these ridiculous accusations

stator

Put in a claim for the whole deposit through the deposit protection scheme. Send in as much evidence as you can, photos etc if you have them. Describe the leaks that happened in basic details. Hopefully you'll get it all back but it will depend on the adjudicator.
No point in arguing with the LL or LA, just go straight to deposit protection people

aaron87

stator wrote: »

Put in a claim for the whole deposit through the deposit protection scheme. Send in as much evidence as you can, photos etc if you have them. Describe the leaks that happened in basic details. Hopefully you'll get it all back but it will depend on the adjudicator.
No point in arguing with the LL or LA, just go straight to deposit protection people

Thanks for the reply.

They did mention in the email that I should contact them (LA) and not the DPS if I have any issues, should I ignore that and go directly to the deposit guys?, I'll make sure I have everything I can possibly get, emails, pictures etc.

Thanks for the advice.

stator

You might give them one last chance: If you don't return my entire deposit by X date I will be lodging my claim with no further discussion.
Don't get drawn into an argument about the fairness of their deductions.
However check with the deposit protection scheme when you have to claim the deposit to make sure you don't miss any deadlines.

Annie1960

http://s4.postimg.org/sbh8b1qr1/IMG_5891.jpg

http://s16.postimg.org/6mk0ptyut/IMG_5897.jpg

http://s16.postimg.org/hto9k7aut/IMG_5888.jpg

Here are the clickable links. Pictures are difficult to see.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

How is the oven described on the inventory? If you left it dirty, then yes they can charge for a professional clean.

You can dispute the floor damage claim with your evidence of reporting the leak.

Keep everything in writing.

bebewoo

Don't get into any negotiations with the LA.
The deposit schemes nearly always find in favour of the tenant so just claim your whole deposit via the scheme.
The LA knows this and of course is keen to try to get money from you so asks you to negotiate before speaking to the deposit scheme. Don't play their game.

aaron87

I've done a bit of researching and apparently the company that quoted for the floor was "disolved" since 18 March 2014.

does this mean they're "pulling the wool over my eyes"?



EDIT:

I have made a mistake, that wasn't the company. but I cannot seem to find this company name OR the directors name of the company, there for I don't think it is an actual company. could this be a pro for me?

aaron87

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

How is the oven described on the inventory? If you left it dirty, then yes they can charge for a professional clean.

You can dispute the floor damage claim with your evidence of reporting the leak.

Keep everything in writing.

the oven was also descriped as "good, clean condition", the oven was scrubbed for hours and was left in very good condition.

jonathanrolande

If you aren’t happy, put it in as a dispute. That’s why they’re there.

aaron87

The estate agent is now flat out refusing to give me any contact details for the contractor that quoted their floor. Can they do that?