rent deposit return - bills

Guest101

Tumtitums wrote: »

Thanks for the replies , im still a bit confused about what is acceptable. All I can do is take the receipts ive saved as for the water and council tax I paid in cash at the shop but the problem is its in instalments
I spoke to the deposit protection people who said that they were unclear about how the letting agent could decide to withhold x amount as they wouldn't have any documentation saying that I owed money.
Can I just add that I gave the agent about 4 weeks notice and asked if I could be present at the moving out date. They only told me 3 days ago that's receipts would be required and they said that it wouldn't be possible for me to be present on the day that they are doing the inventory check as they don't know when that will be

The deposit protection people are correct. I'll try to explain:


The LL, and agents by proxy, can only deduct from the deposit money which is due to the landlord (not even the agent, as they are not party to the contract)


The utilities can never be owed by the landlord, he or she cannot be made to pay them and therefore this can not be deducted from the deposit. It is not money owed to, or by the landlord.


Council tax is slightly different, as if you leave during the periodic tenancy before the tenancy ends, the liability passes to the landlord. It alsmot never happens, and as long as you have not told the council that you left before the final date of the tenancy this will not apply to you. The debt is still yours.


There is no requirement to actually have the bills paid. Neither council tax, nor utilities, they are your debts to 3rd parties.


You cannot ask to be at the checkout (well you can ask, but you have not absolute right to be) as your rights to be in the property have ended.

theartfullodger

Miss_Samantha wrote: »

.....(I'm pretty sure that G_M and artfulodger know the answer so I'm not sure why they pursue me in such way instead of aggrandising their reputations by explaining).

Can't speak for G_M but I really don't know Samantha: Been a landlord for 15+ years, had dealings with council tax but I really have no idea what it is you are thinking of: Which is why I asked, calmly & politely

Could you kindly explain how it works in these circumstances, please?

For the avoidance of doubt I was not "pursuing" you, I merely asked a calm, polite, straightforward question. If you were in any way offended by it could you kindly point out how/why, please?

Cheers all!

lewishardwick

Just re-read. You say it's been a month? If your deposit has been protected, it surely should have been either disputed, or returned by now?

Doesn't the LL have to return after 10 days or lodge a dispute?

HappyMJ

lewishardwick wrote: »

Just re-read. You say it's been a month? If your deposit has been protected, it surely should have been either disputed, or returned by now?

Doesn't the LL have to return after 10 days or lodge a dispute?

10 days after being asked for it back yes. The tenant has to ask for it back first.

DRP

Miss_Samantha wrote: »

Ah let's never miss a chance to make bitter and snide comments... That will entice sympathy and encourage constructive replies.

Perhaps a reply from me was unlikely but thanks to G_M it is now certain that it won't happen.

(I'm pretty sure that G_M and artfulodger know the answer so I'm not sure why they pursue me in such way instead of aggrandising their reputations by explaining).

oh come on ...:D

answer the question please.

dotchas

We had a tenant move out in October and then discovered she was being chased for several years council tax! Fortunately she always paid the rent. No problem for us just handed over her forwarding address. Sorted.

G_M

artful - it's primarily me that Miss S was having a hissy fit with.

Perhaps a reply from me was unlikely but thanks to G_M it is now certain that it won't happen.

Miss S is really confirming what I initially wrote - my post is now being used to attempt to justify the lack of reply.

Though why the OP should be denied the benefit of Miss S's knowledge because of my contribution is beyond me!

Miss_Samantha

G_M wrote: »

my contribution is beyond me!

Do you call this a 'contribution'?

Have fun. Bye.

Socksey

I suppose a pertinent question would be to ask whether the bills are in the tenants name or were left in the landlords name.
If in the tenants name, then it's irrelevant to the landlord.
However, if they are in the landlords name and the tenant was just pay g them off every month, then it would not be unreasonable for the landlord to want proof that it was all paid when the tenant left.

Guest101

Socksey wrote: »

I suppose a pertinent question would be to ask whether the bills are in the tenants name or were left in the landlords name.
If in the tenants name, then it's irrelevant to the landlord.
However, if they are in the landlords name and the tenant was just pay g them off every month, then it would not be unreasonable for the landlord to want proof that it was all paid when the tenant left.

If they were in LLs name that raises more questions - tax? CTL?