Anyone used Deposit protection service Alternative dispute resolusion?

Masterchef_mum

Hi

We moved out of our rented property 8 weeks ago and are still having problems getting our deposit back.
The landlady lives in France and has been very slow responding to the letting agents emails and calls and the letting agent don't seem to do anything unless I call and hassle them.

The main problem is that the landlady want to charge us £400 to redecorate the utility room which is covered in black mildew mould.
We think the mildew problem is enevatable because the utility room is not well heated, has no insulation or permanent ventilation. We lived in the property for 7 years and reported the mildew problem when it started 6.5 years ago.

If we reject her lasted counter offer we will have to use the DPS Alternative dispute resolution.

Has anyone else used them? Did it go in your favour? Do you think we should pay £400 to redecorate a utility room. (The whole deposit is £845 for a 3 bed, 2 reception room house)

Thanks
Gayle

anselld

After 7 years occupation without re-decoration even if the DPS do find you liable (usually 50:50 with mould) they will make a substantial reduction in the full decorating cost for the age since last decoration.
L cannot expect new decoration for old and 7 years is probably beyond the useful life of decoration in a utility, so they will most likely still get nothing.
Probably the best the L could expect is a cleaning charge to remove the mould prior to re-decoration.

sheff6107

Go to dispute if she lives in France. If she can't provide evidence speedily the service will just find in your favour anyway

bouicca21

I went to TDS arbitration. You need to get all your evidence together - paperwork and photos - so that you back up every point you are making.

Surely you have at various times treated the mould? I would have.

I won my case and got the deposit back in full.

Pandilex

I have used it, they don't care about anything that isn't evidenced regardless of your story.

They will look at the check-in report, and the check-out report, check-out photos, and evidence of you e-mailing/writing to them to inform them of the issue.

They will then determine whether they consider you to be liable.

If you don't have evidence/proof, they don't care, they only care about physical proof.

I don't know who they side with if you say you told them and they said you didn't, though.

Guest101

The onus is on the LL to prove the deduction. Always.