DPS Alternative Dispute Resolution - Advice please

richx_uk

Hi,

There was a problem when we moved out of our flat where the new tenants expected a deep clean which was not provided before we moved in. The deep clean went ahead and the landlord is charging us for this.

The deposit is held under DPS and the request for deep clean payment has been put in at £180 via the DPS website. We do not agree that we should cover this whole cost but as a gesture of good will offered to pay half but this has been rejected.

The estate agents are now threatening to add additional charges to this claim if we do not agree to pay for the full £180 immediately. I have looked into responding to the DPS repayment request to reject it but the full deposit becomes disputed, rather than only the £180.

Will this allow the agent and landlord to add additional charges to the claim after I have disputed the original £180?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Richx_uk

BitterAndTwisted

Was the property less clean on exit than when your tenancy started? Can you prove it? Was there a dual-signed check-in inventory fully describing the state of cleanliness of the property? In order to justify the deduction from your deposit the landlord and the agent who represents them will need documentary evidence, not just their say-so.

If the agent has been making threats about claiming additional amounts if you don't agree to this £180 has this been in writing? If so, forward this to the scheme's arbitrators.

richx_uk

The property was in a similar condition when we moved out although we dont have photographic evidence when we moved in. There is a dual signed inventory but the third party refused to include most cleanliness items on it.

Basically £180 has been claimed on DPS, but when I state I do not agree with this the full £1800 becomes the disputed amount, rather than the £180. Will this allow them to include additional fees or will only the £180 be contested?

anselld

If you reject the additional payment offer all bets are off and the agent can put what they like into the dispute claim.

However, if they try to add on trumped up fees these will simply be rejected by the Dispute Arbitration along with any of the original damages which cannot be adequately evidenced by the Landlord.

Any undisputed amount will be returned to you at the point that the L submits the dispute claim.