Former tenants asking for invoices from months ago.

phil_han

Hello, all.
Just had a weird situation today.
My tenants moved out at January this year. We gave back the deposit sans cleaning and repair (which was explained to them beforehand and agreed by the both parties). They went on their merry ways and thought that was it.

Then I got a mis-call/e-mail from the tenant asking specifically for the invoices of cleaning and repair works carried out. It has been almost three months since they moved out, and the works were done cash in hand, so the invoices are difficult to get.

I suppose I could get the lads to cough up something akin to an invoice. But my question is: is there any time limit to the past tenants asking for an invoice from their former landlord?

Thanks.
CN

silvercar

The tenants are required to return the property to you in the state it was at the start of the tenancy less fair wear and tear. There is no obligation to carry out repairs or to produce invoices.

If there is a deduction for damages, especially when it has been agreed by the landlord and tenant, there is no requirement to put right the damages.

An example, if a tenant broke a window, you could deduct t the cost that a repair would be. If you then decided to replace the windows, you aren't obliged to repair first.

Separately, why on earth are you paying cash in hand when you need receipts for your tax return?

cooltt

January is hardly "months ago" is it, implying were talking last year or something.

Yes you are required by law to provide an invoice for the works carried out which they have paid for. The fact you did it cash in hand is irrelevant and does not absolve you of your legal responsibilities no matter what was agreed because lets face it, you were avoiding paying VAT and now it's come back to bite you on the !!!.

I suggest you get your friend to provide you with one a bit quick.

Carrot007

cooltt wrote: »

January is hardly "months ago" is it, implying were talking last year or something.

Yes you are required by law to provide an invoice for the works carried out which they have paid for. The fact you did it cash in hand is irrelevant and does not absolve you of your legal responsibilities no matter what was agreed because lets face it, you were avoiding paying VAT and now it's come back to bite you on the !!!.

I suggest you get your friend to provide you with one a bit quick.

Are you drunk? They are under no obnligation to provide this.

Deductions are based on check in to check out. If there are damages and uncleanlyness they can be deductions.

The landlord is not requred to carry out these repairs or cleaning unless they make the house uninhabitable. It just means the new tennants check in means they have less to live up to at check out.

fairy_lights

cooltt wrote: »

Yes you are required by law to provide an invoice for the works carried out which they have paid for. The fact you did it cash in hand is irrelevant and does not absolve you of your legal responsibilities no matter what was agreed because lets face it, you were avoiding paying VAT and now it's come back to bite you on the !!!.

What legal responsibilities? Presumably the tenant agreed to the deposit deductions, the rest was returned, end of story. What the OP choses to do with the money after that is no ones business.

theartfullodger

phil_han wrote: »

......... the works were done cash in hand, so the invoices are difficult to get.....

Was it cheaper "cash in claw"?? Let's assume these fine workmen "forgot" to report earnings to HMRC & DWP. (If you have evidence otherwise, wow!)

We don't want tax & benefit cheats in our fair country.

And when HMRC do a surprise tax investigation on your tax return what evidence will you have of this expenditure?

Stone me, what happened to those good British traditions of decency & fair play?

But no, no need to provide invoices:

need_an_answer

I suppose the question is was the work actually done or not?
Probably very difficult to prove cleaning either way really and if you now have new tenants in I assume they agreed the standard was acceptable by way of the check In inventory.

You don't need to prove to the departing tenants that you did anything with their deposit,it's quite acceptable to suck up the damage if that's what you want to do.

However saying work was done cash in hand is not the brightest way forward when it comes to the tax man whom you really should be keeping documents for should they require confirmation.

phil_han

Thanks for all the responses.

The repair works were carried out (broken door, locks and etc), and considering the damage before, it would pretty hard to debate no work was done.

The cleaning was done by a local handyman. I've known the guy for a while and he did a good work (as always). I gave the payment in cash, and I did not request (forgot) a receipt. I did ask for an invoice this afternoon (for tax reasons, thanks for the reminders people. )

My main question was, how long am I legally obliged to provide an invoice for these to my past tenant? Would I be required to provide the invoices for... 4-weeks? 3-months? 1-year? 10-years?

I guess I am slightly peeved because the tenant has agreed to the deduction when they were leaving. They agreed the damage was done, and the property required cleaning.
Also, because they needed the deposit back asap, they asked me to get the estimation and give back the deducted amount from that. I did so in good-will, and they have the copy of estimation in their hands, so it's not like I pulled the figures for deduction out of thin air.

So I am kinda bothered by why they would be asking for the invoices weeks afterwards. :mad:

FBaby

You don't have to provide an invoice, you didn't even need to do the work. If you agreed on deductions because of damaged caused, cleaning not done, then that's it.... or just about, because I would be worried in your case that they are trying to gather evidence to take you to court.

Did you have their deposit protected correctly?

saajan_12

phil_han wrote: »

Hello, all.
Just had a weird situation today.
My tenants moved out at January this year. We gave back the deposit sans cleaning and repair (which was explained to them beforehand and agreed by the both parties). - did they agree in writing?
They went on their merry ways and thought that was it.

Then I got a mis-call/e-mail from the tenant asking specifically for the invoices of cleaning and repair works carried out. It has been almost three months since they moved out, and the works were done cash in hand, so the invoices are difficult to get.- did they still charge VAT on this? This a lettings expense which you can claim off your rental income, so its in your interest to have an invoice/receipt to claim income tax relief.

I suppose I could get the lads to cough up something akin to an invoice. But my question is: is there any time limit to the past tenants asking for an invoice from their former landlord? - You have no obligation to carry out the cleaning/repairs, so they have no right to an invoice for works within any timeframe, short or long.

Thanks.
CN

If you don't have proof of their agreement, then they could dispute the deductions by suing through court. You may then need to defend the claim by proving the deductions were valid - firstly through pictures documenting the damages / cleanliness issues they left, and then a justification of the cost of these. A receipt/invoice for the work would be great, but not necessary - could just be a quote / comparable price of what the work would cost.

GrumpyDil

As everyone else says you are under no obligation to provide invoices so I wouldn't. It is absolutely none of their business what you chose to do with the money, whether that be paid for repairs, drank it or went ona weekend away