house-let bond problem...

peter65_2

Hello..

I'm at university in york where I share a rented house with 3 other guys. We were all worried about not getting our bond back at the end of June (our last month of the tenancy...). Anyway, today I found out that the 3 other guys have not paid this months rent (I already have done...), and so am panicking quite a bit about what this means for me and my bond... will I be affected by this? We were paying seperately, but renting the house as a whole house - not renting just a room...

If anyone knows anything about this kinda situation or has any advice I'd really appreciate it..

Thanks,
Pete

Eliza252

Hi Pete,
I know a bit about renting (rolls eyes and looks weary!) - sorry, though didnt quite understand your post - by bond, do you mean your deposit?

BWZN93

Hi

I think it depends on the tenancy agreement you signed. Did you all sign individual contracts for your individual share of the rent, or did you sign an agreement for all of you, for the total cost of rent for the property? There is also the possibility of the third way, which is one contract for individual shares.

If it is the former, then the actions of your housemates should not really affect you. If it is the latter, then unfortunately, the landlord can hold you responsible too, which I appreciate is extremely unfair. If you signed a joint contract for individual rents, then you probably will be ok.

However, in my experience, Landlords dont often give the deposit back. I have managed to get mine back once, and my ex-flatmates are still trying to get thiers back (although personally - they dont deserve it back after the mess and destruction they created).

Also - Did you get inventories and note down all marks, damage etc, and get the landlord/agent to sign as such? - They might try and stiff you, saying there are fag burns on the sofa's etc, when they have been there for years.

It might be worth checking out the contract first to see what the deal is. Secondly, if its a joint contract, then get in touch with the landlord, and confirm to him that you have paid your rent and are aware that others havent. Ask him what date you can expect your deposit back. Ive found that landlords can be very nice if you speak to them and ensure you pay on time etc, and havent made any substansial damage or mess to the property!

Let me know how you get on - I must admit, I am a law student but didnt do commercial landlord and tenant (which I wish I had done), simply because a lot of landlords really do try and screw over student tenants, treating the deposit as a 'free-months rent'. :mad: If there is no joy, write to him, putting down all the facts, and the address you want your deposit cheque returning to. If you dont get it, take him to the small claims court.

AND MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN THE HOUSE, AND TAKE PHOTO'S OF EVERYTHING AS EVIDENCE (with a daily newspaper in shot, to prove date...)

Hope it all goes well for you!

Jo xx

Eliza252

good advise from above - also, if you possibly can drag your landlord/letting agent to the flat when you hand over the keys - force them to look around at the sparkly, immaculately clean flat and get them to agree that it all looks good - this makes it much harder for them to claim they had to get in professional cleaners after you left - HOW, many times have they hit me with that one! Take loads of photo's (including close ups of things like the inside of the fridge) before you leave - and DO file a small courts claim of it is not returned or some of it is withheld and it appears to be unjustified. There are loads of really good landlords out there and some terrible tenants who shouldnt get their deposit back. however, bad landlords shoudnt be able to get away with it - as they too often are!!