Landlord removing deposit for unpaid bills

ethranes

Hi, I recently moved out of a rented flat. I have unpaid bills with the water company. I have contacted them to tell them I have moved out and to supply me a final bill. They let me know that they will need to get confirmation from landlord that I have moved out. So I suppose they have been in touch with the landlord.

Deposit is protected, landlord has gave a proposal of returning my deposit, money has been taken for cleaning (fair enough), money has also been taken for the unpaid bills. I am wondering what does this have to do with the landlord, as far as I'm aware, I'm awaiting for my final bill from the water company, which I will then pay to them directly.

Can I tell the landlord to remove this cost from my deposit, and that I will deal with it without involving them?

Thanks.

Slithery

The bill is none of his business, dispute via the deposit scheme.

G_M

Yes. Write ( a letter to the address 'for serving notices') to the LL politely informing him you will be settling your water account yourself and asking him to therefore release that amount of the deposit. Politely remind him the account is in your, not his, name.


If that does not work, dispute it via the scheme.


You sure the cleaning bill was justified? Did you leave the place dirtier than when you arrived? And if so, why....??

ethranes

Thanks for the advice, I will ask that the bill payments are removed from my deposit outgoings. With regards to the cleaning bill, I have just assumed that a level of cleaning is required, we lived there for 4 years, and there were some marks on the walls/floor that had been caused by furniture moving and the likes.

Do any of you know, am I able to ask for proof of cleaning before agreeing to the costs, i.e. copy of the receipts?

Slithery

ethranes wrote: »

Do any of you know, am I able to ask for proof of cleaning before agreeing to the costs, i.e. copy of the receipts?

No. In fact the LL doesn't even need to carry out the cleaning if he doesn't want to.

ethranes

Understood, thanks all

G_M

Your obligation is to return the property as it was, less fair wear and tear.

If you caused damage (" marks on the walls/floor that had been caused by furniture moving") you are responsible, but that is not the same as 'cleaning'.

A) The check in inventory should describe (or show via photos) how clean it was at the start.
The check-out report should do likewise.

If the latter is dirtier than the former, the LL can charge for cleaning.
If not, he can't.

It does not matter whether the tenancy agreement says 'tenant must get it professionally cleaned' or such-like. It is up to YOU how to clean (DIY yourself, pay a cleaner, ask your mum, get LL to pay cleaner) - what matters is the compaison between A) and , not how it is achieved.