Concerns over damage bond

realmaverick

We moved in to a nice proeprty 18 months ago. Everything was great with the exception of a few bits of damage that weren't included in the inventory.

We ammended the inventory and sent it back. Several months later the letting agent said they'd not received a signed copy of the inventory back. We explained that we'd sent an amended copy. They said they'd double check and never got back to us.

When we moved in, we had to have the carpets professionally cleaned, as they definitely hadn't been done before we moved in.

Upon moving out, we had the carpets professionally cleaned and even touched up marks to the walls and skirting boards left by previous tenants, largely out of fear of being blamed. The house is immaculate.

There is some minor damage done by previous tenants that we cannot fix, such as a pink mark on the carpet to the boiler room. It just won't come out.

A friend of ours who's a landlord himself, said that because the letting agent didn't receive our amended copy, the original will be used, regardless of whether we signed it or not. Receiving it is classed as acceptance?

So our fear is the landlord will now try to claim for the pink mark on the carpet and several other bits and pieces that existed when we moved in.

Any ideas on where we legally stand due to this unsigned inventory?

realmaverick

I just found a thread on landlord zone, where others are advising of the exact opposite. Becuase the landlord doesn't have a signed copy of the inventory, any claims made will be very difficult.

As usual, conflicting opinions on these matters.

G_M

Landlordzone does have a tendancy to make threats, hence I spend more time over here.

Since I assume you did not sign the original inventory, it will carry much less weight in a dispute. And given that you would present your claim to have sent an amended version (of which you have a copy I assume?), that combination of factors will count in your favour. Of course, both judges and arbitrators can be unpredictable, but on the balance of probabilities......

realmaverick

I meant to type "thread" not threat. Sorry.

I cannot remember now whether they sent 2 copies or one. We moved in October, but didn't get the inventory until months later. Then returned it with ammendments and several more months passed before we were informed they hadn't received it. The whole thing is a bit unclear in my memory.

The OH is adamant there was one copy but logically you'd think there would be 2?

Would have been much easier if the letting agents had just done this right at the start and got us to sign.

As it stands we don't have any inventory at all. But we've given the keys back and I guess all we can hope for is that the landlord doesn't try to charge us for previous damage and if he does, a judge or whatever sides with us.