Advice on tenant deposit scheme please

moyilla

Hi

We have just been served notice on our private let (through a letting agent) as the owners are returning from the forces and we have been very lucky to find another house.

Our current rental was taken out before the deposit scheme came out.

This rental will be through a private landlord. He has been very communicative with us but my concern is what should happen to our new deposit?

Also the house we are going to move into was left in a terrible state by previous occupiers, but it is going to be re painted and carpets shampooed.
The carpets are disgusting and the whole house smells from them.I personally think they should be dumped. The previous occupiers had cats, smoked and wore muddy boots around the house.

Now if when they are shampooed and it still smells (after drying of course) then am I entitled to say something? If so how would I word it?

Any advice would be great,

Thanks :T

Doozergirl

I wouldn't sign the tenancy agreement until the work is carried out. That was you can simply refuse to move in until they replace them or whatever.

You new deposit should be put into the scheme. Any LL can put deposit money into it and it is free, well, they use the interest to pay for the administration.

clutton_2

ask him which deposit scheme he is using (there are two) - and ask him for the" prescribed" information.

coal9011

Doozergirl wrote: »

I wouldn't sign the tenancy agreement until the work is carried out. That was you can simply refuse to move in until they replace them or whatever.

You new deposit should be put into the scheme. Any LL can put deposit money into it and it is free, well, they use the interest to pay for the administration.

I agree with Doozergirl about NOT signing or moving in until the promised cleaning has been done. Once your "in" there's less incentive for the landlord to do it.

But from what you say it sounds like the carpets need replacing. Thats not your problem - but if you really what this place - then why don't you make the LL an offer of a small contribution towards new carpets for the property (if you can afford it) it will show commitment to the property on your part and will a good start to your "landlord-tenant relationship".

Debt_Free_Chick

As the occupier of a house with two smokers and three dogs (including a smelly 9 yo Labrador) you'd be amazed at what professional cleaners can do! :rotfl: Even smoke damage from a fire elsewhere in a property can be eradicated!

But I agree - wait until the carpets are cleaned and then revisit, before you sign the TA.

moyilla

Hi

Yes I will not sign anything until it is all done. The painting has been started, house has had a clean so when painting done he will get shampooer in. He said it was going to be an industrial cleaner, now it is someone in the street with a shampoo machine of their own

The carpets are not good quality and we will be the 4th set of rental tenants in there, plus the MOD family's previous to us, the carpets are original since it was built in 1960 (ex MOD house):eek:

We have 6 children - the eldest is severely disabled and has no immunity - so that is why I am more bothered about cleanliness of flooring.

The landlord is in the armed forces, he will be leaving in 3 years and coming to live in this house and he will be totally gutting it then. I was considering putting down laminate flooring but don't want to spend too much money on someone else's house.

Thank you all:beer:

moyilla

Hello all

I have an update. All the walls and ceilings have been painted. The carpets have still not been cleaned but myself, my partner and neighbour are all in agreement that even though they will be shampooed, the stains are that well ground in that they will still show. There is a huge iron mark on one carpet upstairs too. The smell is really bad, cat wee etc.:eek:

What do you think I should suggest? I was thinking something like putting the cost of shampooing towards new laminate flooring?

Also, all the glossing needs to be done, llord does not have time to get quotes (he's in forces in Devon), so I did. £990 (for undercoat & 1 coat of gloss) or £545 for 1 coat of gloss (will look terrible). Now I could do the glossing. Should I suggest this and ask him would he take the quote off my rent? If so which quote?

I would really, really appreciate your advice