Deposit dispute

Hammy77

My tenancy ended 31st of May and new tenant moved in the very next day. I had already partly moved a few months before the tenancy was finished but landlord wouldn't expect my notice on the grounds that I was still in my 12 mth lease, but they would advertise and find someone to move in but I had to keep paying my rent.(which I understood and kept up my payments until this happened) On the morning of 29th my landlord asked to meet at 11am on the 31st to give keys back I stated that this wasn't possible as I was in work untill5pm and still had stuff to move out and was also still under tenancy. The response was would it be OK to let my self in as there is some work that needs to be done before new tenant moves in, I said not a problem also if I manage to get everything out I will leave keys for you and send you a text in the morning. Which I did at 7am on the last day of my tenancy. Upon getting the last few bits from the house I had noticed the grass had been cut, didn't think anymore of it other than that saves me a job before I leave. Over the weekend I had sent a request to dps for deposit, on the Monday I had a text from landlord saying they will have to take out £40 for cutting grass. My response was I don't understand how you can charge me for cutting the grass when it was done before I moved while I was still a tenant also if it was cut again on the 31st I was still the tenant unless my tenancy ended a day early then I'm due a days rent. I also asked why I wasn't contacted on this day if it was a concern I would of come around and cut it again if need be, after all I was happy to give back keys so work could be done. I would also like to point out I had no heating down stairs for the whole of tenancy)(landloard was awere of this but wouldn't pay to fix IT) Also without a cooker for 3 and half weeks. Any advise would be great. Thanks

Comms69

No advice to give really. Dispute it via the DPS.


Argument being that you would have cut the grass that day, but it had been done with no prior agreement. Therefore Not liable for £40.

saajan_12

Hammy77 wrote: »

My tenancy ended 31st of May - how? was this the end of the fixed term or was it an early mutual termination? and new tenant moved in the very next day. I had already partly moved a few months before the tenancy was finished but landlord wouldn't expect accept? my notice on the grounds that I was still in my 12 mth lease, but they would advertise and find someone to move in but I had to keep paying my rent.(which I understood and kept up my payments until this happened) - sounds more than generous, as the LL would be spending time / money in advertising, referencing etc On the morning of 29th my landlord asked to meet at 11am on the 31st to give keys back I stated that this wasn't possible as I was in work untill5pm and still had stuff to move out and was also still under tenancy. The response was would it be OK to let my self in as there is some work that needs to be done before new tenant moves in, -- fair enough, if the LL is reducing your total liability for 12 months rent then if you can help them by letting them do work during the time you're paying for but not using. I said not a problem also if I manage to get everything out I will leave keys for you and send you a text in the morning. Which I did at 7am on the last day of my tenancy. Upon getting the last few bits from the house I had noticed the grass had been cut, didn't think anymore of it other than that saves me a job before I leave. - ideally you should ahve taken pictures of the state when you handed over ie with the cut grass. IF they wanted to help with your gardenign thats up to them. Over the weekend I had sent a request to dps for deposit, on the Monday I had a text from landlord saying they will have to take out £40 for cutting grass. My response was I don't understand how you can charge me for cutting the grass when it was done before I moved while I was still a tenant also if it was cut again on the 31st I was still the tenant unless my tenancy ended a day early then I'm due a days rent. - you're correct that they can't charge you for work done before 31st as you could have planned to cut the grass yourself on that day for £0 as it was within your tenancy. The day's rent is a possible compromise you can suggest if you WANT but you don't HAVE to go back and alter your contract. I also asked why I wasn't contacted on this day if it was a concern I would of come around and cut it again if need be, after all I was happy to give back keys so work could be done. - They don't have to tell you concerns or give you a chance to correct after the tenancy is over. But that's irrelevant here. I would also like to point out I had no heating down stairs for the whole of tenancy)(landloard was awere of this but wouldn't pay to fix IT) Also without a cooker for 3 and half weeks. - could have followed the process to complain at the time, but irrelevant now. Any advise would be great. Thanks

Just state your case to the LL or dispute with the deposit scheme. The property was handed back on 31st with cut grass. You were planning on doing it for £0 on the last day of your tenancy but they didn't give you the chance, so they can't charge for that.