Tenants deposit

starsky27

Hi all,

I have a situation I hope you will be able to help with.

My mother until recently was letting out a property. Once the tenant moved out the letting agent informed me( I'm acting on behalf of my mother due to ill health) that the property would need new carpets as a dog had been allowed in the property unbeknown to the agent. The agent has told us they will try to recover the cost through the deposit held in a deposit protection scheme but they are unable to contact the tenant. They also said they would need to go through a solicitor if they can't make contact with the previous tenant.
This has now been going on for about 8 weeks and I'm starting to feel I'm having my string pulled by the agent. We are having to sell the property to pay for a care package for my mother so won't be using the agent again to re let the property and it could be the reason why the agent is dragging their feet.

Any advice in where I go from here to try to retrieve the deposit back would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

jbainbridge

Not sure why they would need a solicitor, just do it through the deposit scheme. That does assume an inventory was done at check in. Sounds like they are messing you about.

Pixie5740

In your position I would want to know about the check in and check out inventories and what they say. That the deposit was indeed protected correctly and finally how the LA had managed to miss the presence of a dog during inspections. Even if the T his the dog during inspection there should still have been signs, hair, smell, etc.

How old were the carpets at the start of the tenancy and how long was the tenancy? Your mother won't get new for old, just a portion of the cost of new carpets.

G_M

* have you actually checked the depoit was properly registered? If not you've got problems.
* do you have POA to act for your mum?
* Have you got a copy of the (tenant-signed) inventory? What does it say re carpets?
* Have you got a copy of the check out report? What does it say?
* What efforts have the agents made to contact the tenants? Have you got copies of letters? Details of phonecalls etc?
* Has the agent made a single claim via the registration scheme? When? Or why not?
* how old are the carpets? Do you understand 'betterment'? see link
* have you got a proper quote for professional repair/cleaning/replacement?

Read
* Deposits: payment, protection and return

starsky27

Hi all,

Apologies for late reply.

Everyone has raised some valid points and it's no to some questions and yes to others.
I've decided to let it go as the total cost for carpets was only £300.
When I posted I had just been in contact with the letting agent who I was correct in guessing was pulling a fast one. Considering my mother had been a client of theirs for a number of years and they were fully aware of her having a major stroke I found their actions during the tenancy and after unprofessional to say the least . TBH I've had to deal with so much with my Mum I just haven't got the energy to chase it up.

Anyway thanks for your excellent replies as usual.

Thanks,
Mark