Tenancy deposit return fee.

G1D

Hi,
I'm about to move out of a rented flat and looking through the tenancy agreement the Lettings Agent seem to state that they will return the deposit minus a fee for retrieving it? However given its held in a government approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme can they charge a fee for returning it?
Thanks.

dimbo61

Not sure what they have put in tenancy agreement but I would demand the whole deposit back.
Contact the dps people and ask what they think.
All letting agents now belong to a redress scheme so contact them as well.

G_M

This has started coming up more frequently.

Let us know what dps say (and /or redress people). But my guess is if you refuse to pay and dispute the deposit deduction you should win.


Professional Bodies

Since 1st October 2014, the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 S83 requires letting agents in England to sign up to one of 3 schemes:

* The Property Ombudsman
* Ombudsman Services Property
* Property Redress Scheme

G1D

Thanks for your help, will contact them on Monday and see what they say! Any news and I'll let you know... Fingers crossed...

Annie1960

Sounds like an unfair term to me.

Pixie5740

It doesn't half Annie1960. "Pay us a fee or we won't return your own money to you."

orionmoo

An estate agent once wanted to charge us £60 to put the deposit into two bank accounts. We were disputing anyway due to the deductions they wanted to make, but the TDS seemed able to split the deposit to the two accounts fine, without charge.

Stay away from dirty JSM if in East Anglia!

jamie11

G1D wrote: »

Hi,
I'm about to move out of a rented flat and looking through the tenancy agreement the Lettings Agent seem to state that they will return the deposit minus a fee for retrieving it? However given its held in a government approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme can they charge a fee for returning it?
Thanks.

Just being nosey.............how much are they asking for as the fee?

And being practical.........tell 'em to take a running jump.

HappyMJ

jamie11 wrote: »

Just being nosey.............how much are they asking for as the fee?

And being practical.........tell 'em to take a running jump.

Same here...

I'd go straight to the place where the deposit is lodged and ask for the full amount back. They'll write to landlord/agency asking of there's any issues...they will not be able to claim a fee at this point. If they respond no issues or don't respond at all you get the full amount back.