Landlord requesting additional payments when leaving flat

DaMint

Thank you all so much for your replies and for being kind - I fully understand that I was naive in trusting the landlord and for also missing the change in contract terms, which I am kicking myself for.

By way of a small update - I checked the website of the company who provided the check in report to see how much it would cost, given that the overwhelming consensus is that I am liable. It turns out that, the original payment was taken for the exact amount it would cost to do a check in AND check out report for the property. So even when the original agreement was made stating the landlord would pay the exit report charge, he billed me for the full amount to cover the cost on his behalf. Which is just a really nice kick in the teeth.

I'm going to reply and say that as per my original notice, we will leave at the end of May. We had already booked cleaners etc to ensure the place was faultlessly clean; and see what happens from there. The additional rent comes to around £600 - which I'm sure is literally profiting from our ignorance.

Again, thank you all for taking the time - the advice has been very helpful and has shown me a way through

pjread

Personally I either wouldn't allow any viewings, or would give him say 1x 2hr window every fortnight or something on a day/time fixed by you. I'd also definitely pursue the deposit protection issue.

Guest101

If the deposit really isnt protected. then i would be unfront with the LL.

Conditions to prevent court action:

1: No viewings
2: Return of deposit + 100% value.

the LL is saving the risk of paying out 300% value

Rosetinted

It sounds like your landlord is a total douche. Certainly don't give him a penny more of your money if you handed in your notice at the end of March and have already paid rent for April and May. You've served your notice period and have paid for it. Be sure to cancel any automatic bank transfers!

Now you've discovered that you've already paid for the checkout report, you've fulfilled the obligations of his new contract (paying for check-in and checkout report), so tell him you're not paying a penny for this as you were already charged for it at the start of your tenancy, without your agreement.

Guest101

Rosetinted wrote: »

It sounds like your landlord is a total douche. Certainly don't give him a penny more of your money if you handed in your notice at the end of March and have already paid rent for April and May. You've served your notice period and have paid for it. Be sure to cancel any automatic bank transfers!

Now you've discovered that you've already paid for the checkout report, you've fulfilled the obligations of his new contract (paying for check-in and checkout report), so tell him you're not paying a penny for this as you were already charged for it at the start of your tenancy, without your agreement.

Unfortuntely not.

The OP paid a fee for a Check - in. A portion of that went to the inventory company, and a portion to the letting agent.

Costs and Fees are not the same thing, so the OP will be liable for this.

G_M

If the fee paid at the start was described as being for the check in report, then that is what it was for. The amount charged by the inventory clerk to the agent/landlord is irrelevant, since the tenant can be charged a different amount.

When Sainsburys charge you 42p for a can of beans, you cannot say "Aha! But I know Heinz only charged you 32p Mr Sainsbury so that is all I will pay!"

If, however, the fee paid at the start was described as covering both check in and check out, then yes, in that case you have already paid and cannot be charged again.

Did I miss something re deposit? Is it not registered? In that case, read:

* Deposits: payment, protection and return

Rosetinted

True, it depends what the fee at the start was classed as. If it was only recorded as 'Check-in fee', you won't be able to argue that you paid both at the start. Still, it's worth looking into, just in case!

jjlandlord

From DaMint's OP it seems that the tenancy agreement states that the tenant is liable for paying for the checkin inventory fee.

Unless an amount is stated, DaMint should not pay more than what the inventory clerk charged.

If the latest tenancy agreement does not mention anything about a checkout inventory fee then DaMint cannot be charged for it now.

G_M

jjlandlord wrote: »

From DaMint's OP it seems that the tenancy agreement states that the tenant is liable for paying for the checkin inventory fee.

Unless an amount is stated, DaMint should not pay more than what the inventory clerk charged.

If the latest tenancy agreement does not mention anything about a checkout inventory fee then DaMint cannot be charged for it now.

The issue seems to be that

Now the landlord says we must also pay for the check out inventory cost, because this is included in the new contract we signed.

whether the precise fee is specified is unclear.