deposit deductions for phone calls made

Harvey85

Basically I had a water meter installed into the property which I was told was fine by the water board as long as my tenancy was for 6 months or more and that I didn't need permission from the landlord. After leaving the property the landlord was arguing that she was keeping the deposit as it will cost her to get it removed but I have shown proof from United Utilities that the removal is free.

Now she is moving onto a new tactic,

I have raised a dispute with TDS which was accepted on the 29th March but tonight received a message from the landlord saying she will be deducting monies based on the phone call(s) she has had to make to the water board :cool:.

I was under the impression a landlord can only deduct for damage to the property, missing items, cleaning costs or any unpaid rent. Any advice appreciated.

marliepanda

I imagine they can claim costs needed to get the property back to how it was at the time you rented it originally. You should have arranged for the water meter removal.

If she can prove she had costs for phone calls made (surely were talking a tenner tops) then she can probably claim for them:

Harvey85

marliepanda wrote: »

I imagine they can claim costs needed to get the property back to how it was at the time you rented it originally. You should have arranged for the water meter removal.

If she can prove she had costs for phone calls made (surely were talking a tenner tops) then she can probably claim for them:

Sorry I should have also said I've made around 7 long phone calls to the water board to rectify the issue and each time they have told me the landlord has been informed, but every time I speak to the landlord to explain she completely ignores what I say, she is desperate for my money

theartfullodger

Harvey: Simply thank the landlord politely for their kind contribution but decline the suggestion & unless you get resolution promptly raise a dispute with the deposit scheme.

Can you confirm there is nothing in the tenancy covering her charging for such matters?

I did not think it was possible to get a meter removed once installed.

princeofpounds

Dispute it with the best rationale you can generate and see what happens. Strongly suspect you will win.


I agree with artful that water meters aren't so simple. I'm not familiar with all areas but I know that around our area installation was initially by choice, then compulsory program started (unless the water company found it too bothersome for your particular property).
The companies and the government want everyone on meters, and it's intended to be like a ratchet where people come on but don't come off meters.


So you should find out exactly what the situation is for your area before you address this.

silvercar

Maybe worth posting on this sub-board:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=79

You should mention who your water board is as some have different policies.

I also thought that once installed a water meter couldn't be removed and that subsequent tenants/ owners were stuck with a metered charge.

I don't know how that impacts a landlords right to have the property returned to the original state.

G_M

It used to be that a customer could 'try' a water meter for 12 months and then get it removed if they wanted. This policy may have changed though.

Personally I'd be furious if a tenant made a change to the property, which was of a permenant nature, or which involved costs in time, trouble and money to reverse, without my consent.

Tenant should hae asked the LL for consent before going ahead. This is not the same as switching energy supplier, which can be easilt reversed if desired.

A chat at the time over tea and cake, with explanations, could easily have overcome all this later animosity.

pmlindyloo

G_M wrote: »

It used to be that a customer could 'try' a water meter for 12 months and then get it removed if they wanted. This policy may have changed though.

Personally I'd be furious if a tenant made a change to the property, which was of a permenant nature, or which involved costs in time, trouble and money to reverse, without my consent.

Tenant should hae asked the LL for consent before going ahead. This is not the same as switching energy supplier, which can be easilt reversed if desired.

A chat at the time over tea and cake, with explanations, could easily have overcome all this later animosity.

According to the OP's suppliers the water meter is fitted inside the property and is not removed (within 24 mths) if no longer wanted but the billing method can be changed.

http://www.unitedutilities.com/documents/Water_meters_questions_and_answers.pdf

Not sure whether the OP has misunderstood or the link is out of date.

If the water meter has been fitted inside which the OP suggests it has then, I also, think permission should have been sought as this would undoubtedly altered the structure of the property (usually a clause in the lease not allowing this)

I think the OP might be asked for more than the price of telephone calls if this is the case and the structure of the property has been altered.

Cakeguts

What the water board didn't tell you was that you needed to ask the landlord if you could change the plumbing inside the house for the meter to be fitted. Plumbing is the responsibility of the landlord not you. Your landlord is not desperate for your money she is desperate to get her plumbing changed back to the way it was before you decided to alter it. What you should have done was got the water meter removed before you moved out. What made you think that the landlord would be happy to have the house empty until the water board turned up to remove the water meter? You have caused problems for the landlord and now you are complaining about losing a small amount of money from your deposit.

lewishardwick

Surely a water meter is a positive thing?

I'm being billed £15 a month less now I'm on a metered supply and my account is also in credit! Also if the landlord is stuck with a void period, the billed usage would be a nominal amount surely, not the usual monthly rateable charge.

marksoton

lewishardwick wrote: »

Surely a water meter is a positive thing?

I'm being billed £15 a month less now I'm on a metered supply and my account is also in credit! Also if the landlord is stuck with a void period, the billed usage would be a nominal amount surely, not the usual monthly rateable charge.

Depends on how many people frequent the property. Quite often large families are better off not having a meter.