Letting Agent Checkout Report Fraud

Heyitschloe88

Good evening,

Just a quick post wondering where I stand and what I can do next. I moved out and handed the keys in of my rented property on 30th March, leased until 11th April when the next tenant moves in on the 12th. The letting agents have done a inspection on the property on 1st April and I've got the report back this afternoon. Along with a list of menial things where it needs a 'finish clean', also states that the light switch is broken which it already was when I moved in so I'm asking for proof that it wasn't when I moved in as they said they have before and after pictures.

They also sent a 'compact' report (they'll send a full one if I ask for it) showing pictures of a broken smoke detector. I know I didn't break it before I left. I clicked on one of the pictures and it took me through where they had uploaded all the pictures from the inspection that day. Now there's a picture at the beginning which clearly shows it's not broken. Then near the end there is a piece missing.

Just wondering where I stand with this and contesting against it?

Heyitschloe88

Here's the email I got from my letting agents. I've bolded my comments

I have attached the checkout report for you. I also have a detailed report which shows before and after photographs if you would prefer to see this just let me know, its just a bigger document.

There are a few issues, please see below.

-Lounge smoke alarm casing is cracked There's pictures that they've uploaded that shows it was broken between pictures that they took!

-Landing light switch is cracked They said they have before and after pictures so I'm asking for them as I believe it was always like that.

-Bathroom light not working Needs a new bulb but I can't get the case off to do so.


All carpets require professionally cleaning as per the tenancy agreement (I know you have already said you don’t mind having these done). It's in my tenancy contract. I don't mind paying out for that as I forgot.

Various cleaning required throughout the property. See report for each area that requires a finish clean. I scrubbed that place clean. Missed out a few small parts but surely it can't affect my deposit? It's definitely clean.


Bins outside require emptying (I’m not sure if you could put these out and return once emptied to save a charge on removing the items) The bins weren't empty when I moved in. Surely I can't be charged for bins emptying? They're not full and I was still living there. How do they expect me to not use a bin?

Garden to front is overgrown and weeds present to both front and rear that require removing. I cut the grass 3 weeks prior to the inspection. Weeds at the rear is a different story. When I moved in there was decking there. Apparently the next door neighbour has been saying there's an issue with rats so while I was there, the decking has been removed. The letting agent and landlord then said they were going to put flagstones down and wanted it done by winter. Had 2 companies round to quote on the job in September last year. Landlord picked a company, company rung me to arrange a time to come round to sort it out. Never heard from them. Letting agent said they'd find out. Never heard back from them about it. Where do I stand on that as the back garden isn't even close to how it was handed over to me but that wasn't my fault?


I’m just waiting on a quotation from a contractor, once I have this I will let you know.

OBviously the main one for me is the pictures which are claiming I broke something which clearly shows I haven't.

G_M

Heyitschloe88 wrote: »

also states that the light switch is broken which it already was when I moved in so I'm asking for proof that it wasn't when I moved in as they said they have before and after pictures.

Was there a check-in inventory? Did you agree/sign it? Did it mention a broken light switch? If not, the assumption would be that it was no broken.


They also sent a 'compact' report (they'll send a full one if I ask for it) showing pictures of a broken smoke detector. I know I didn't break it before I left. I clicked on one of the pictures and it took me through where they had uploaded all the pictures from the inspection that day. Now there's a picture at the beginning which clearly shows it's not broken. Then near the end there is a piece missing.

Not sure I understand- so 2 picures? One showing a broken smoke detector and one showing an unbroken SD?


How much are they claiming? SD costs about £5.00....

Heyitschloe88

G_M wrote: »

Not sure I understand- so 2 picures? One showing a broken smoke detector and one showing an unbroken SD?


How much are they claiming? SD costs about £5.00....

I got sent over an inventory by email but I no longer have access to it so I can't check to see if it includes the broken light switch. But as they said they have before and after pictures I'm just going to ask. I know I have no leg to stand in if there's no photographic proof so I'll take this one on the chin if it shows it was broken.

There's a photo report that I clicked through to show all the pictures taken that day in my property. A wide shot at the beginning of the inspection so it seems and then a closer one of the cracked smoke detector. In the wide shot you can see it's not cracked at all.

(include h at the beginning)
ttps://i.imgur.com/FQV897X.jpg - the wide shot
ttps://i.imgur.com/bsCL5CM.jpg - the closeup shot

They're getting a quotation from a contractor and getting back to me.

Finchy2018

Ask for a copy of the check in report - they will provide this.

are you looking at comments purely on the check out report or the agent and their deductions? If the check out clerk was different to the check in one they will just report on what they have seen, no prior knowledge of what it was like a check in (plus they do hundreds a year, they're not going to remember every detail)

re: light switch - if they don't have proof of check in and check out condition you don't take it on the chin, they can't deduct for it.

Heyitschloe88

I shall ask for that as well as the detailed check out report. As they said they can provide before and after pictures so I'm assuming they've got the check in report.

The main gripe for the me at the moment is the obvious person who inspected the property has broken the smoke alarm while he was in there and saying that I have broken it. Just.. sigh.

dimbo61

I recently bought 2 interlinked base units and 10 year fireangel smoke alarm which cost £122 so £5 is cheap rubbish.
Expect to pay £15/25 for a smoke alarm

Finchy2018

dimbo61 wrote: »

I recently bought 2 interlinked base units and 10 year fireangel smoke alarm which cost £122 so £5 is cheap rubbish.
Expect to pay £15/25 for a smoke alarm

You'd also have to add in the cost of getting someone out to fit it.

Hasbeen

G_M wrote: »

Not sure I understand- so 2 picures? One showing a broken smoke detector and one showing an unbroken SD?


How much are they claiming? SD costs about £5.00....

Smoke detectors in rentals have to be interlinked mains wired usually on separate circuit. Expensive and require electrician.

wesleyad

Hasbeen wrote: »

Smoke detectors in rentals have to be interlinked mains wired usually on separate circuit. Expensive and require electrician.

No they dont, maybe HMO's do?

See note 6:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords/the-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm-england-regulations-2015-qa-booklet-for-the-private-rented-sector-landlords-and-tenants

AdrianC

Heyitschloe88 wrote: »

Just wondering where I stand with this and contesting against it?

Don't even bother engaging with them. Just request the full deposit back from the deposit protection service, and if they argue, use the arbitration. They need to prove that the deductions are valid, you do not need to prove they aren't.