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Letting agent keeping deposit - Advice needed!
Nikki853
Posts: 1 Newbie
Hi, I'm looking for some advice on behalf of a relative.
She moved out of her rented flat 6 weeks ago, after 2 weeks she contacted the letting office in regards to her deposit and was told that the person who would deal with this was out of the office, another 2 weeks passed, same answer. Finally 3 days ago she spoke to someone who advised that there were issues with the cleanliness of the property and they had to send a cleaner in and so deductions may be made for this. She told them she did not agree with this and was not advised how much would be deducted. Today she received a cheque from them for less than half of her deposit.
They have charged her £150 for painting and decorating the living room and bathroom - attached to the cheque are photos of black marks on the wall above where the electrical heater is. I would class this as wear and tear and would say this is due to 'normal use of the property'.
There is a slight mouldy patch in the corner of the bathroom ceiling. The bathroom only has a shower, no windows and just a fan. It seems unreasonable (to me anyway!) to be charged for this! I've had far worse mould problems in properties and never had deductions.
The inventory said there were scuff marks on the walls before she moved in so it needed decorating anyway!
They have also added £45 for cleaning, no photos really highlight this issue. The property was not professionally cleaned when she moved into it as there was still the previous tenants food in the cupboards and the flat was filthy. She never reported this to them and just cleaned it herself. I am pretty positive they don't have photos of this because they asked why she didn't report it to them, they didn't dispute it. It was also freezing, very little natural light and no hot running water in the bathroom sink (a problem they couldn't sort apparently). They were very unhelpful when she reported problems to them.
I think she feels there is no point fighting against their decision but I don't see why they should keep £190 of her money for the above reasons. The deposit was under MyDeposits, but now they have sent the cheque I'm not sure if they are breaking the law. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thank you!
She moved out of her rented flat 6 weeks ago, after 2 weeks she contacted the letting office in regards to her deposit and was told that the person who would deal with this was out of the office, another 2 weeks passed, same answer. Finally 3 days ago she spoke to someone who advised that there were issues with the cleanliness of the property and they had to send a cleaner in and so deductions may be made for this. She told them she did not agree with this and was not advised how much would be deducted. Today she received a cheque from them for less than half of her deposit.
They have charged her £150 for painting and decorating the living room and bathroom - attached to the cheque are photos of black marks on the wall above where the electrical heater is. I would class this as wear and tear and would say this is due to 'normal use of the property'.
There is a slight mouldy patch in the corner of the bathroom ceiling. The bathroom only has a shower, no windows and just a fan. It seems unreasonable (to me anyway!) to be charged for this! I've had far worse mould problems in properties and never had deductions.
The inventory said there were scuff marks on the walls before she moved in so it needed decorating anyway!
They have also added £45 for cleaning, no photos really highlight this issue. The property was not professionally cleaned when she moved into it as there was still the previous tenants food in the cupboards and the flat was filthy. She never reported this to them and just cleaned it herself. I am pretty positive they don't have photos of this because they asked why she didn't report it to them, they didn't dispute it. It was also freezing, very little natural light and no hot running water in the bathroom sink (a problem they couldn't sort apparently). They were very unhelpful when she reported problems to them.
I think she feels there is no point fighting against their decision but I don't see why they should keep £190 of her money for the above reasons. The deposit was under MyDeposits, but now they have sent the cheque I'm not sure if they are breaking the law. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thank you!
0
Comments
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They have presumably used the non-custodial protection scheme and so have returned the undisputed amount. If you do not agree with the deductions then you can still raise a dispute via the scheme.0
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