Landlord requesting half of deposit pending water bill. Advice please ?

Sarngate

Hi all,

Moved out of my previous tenancy last Friday. Utilities were to be paid by myself and partner as per AST. I had paid utilities with the exception of water as I had never received a bill after being sent a letter by the water supplier after moving in 11 months previous. 
I contacted water supplier in the last week of the tenancy to request a bill, the property has a water meter so I supplied readings. They then told me that the property was not on their system, they advised this was likely because water supply to my estate was managed by a management company. I told the letting agent this at check out and they confirmed this (not sure why this wasn't made clear at the start of tenancy !). They advised they would speak to the landlord about providing me with a water bill from the MC. I was fine with this.

Now the problem. The landlord has requested that half (£600) of my deposit be released to them via DPS, to cover any water bills. I'm unhappy with this as I will have great difficulty reclaiming any of that money once it has left the DPS, if there was to be further dispute. I am happy to keep £600.00 in the service pending any bill to be supplied.

What would be your thoughts on how to proceed ? I have considered 'disputing' the letting agent offer via the DPS website and putting a note about the water bill, which I believe will release £600 to me and keep the other £600 on hold with the DPS. I'm just conscious of aggravating the LA unnecessarily. 

Thanks ! 

silvercar

Go for the full deposit return. Should someone present you with a valid water bill then you will pay it.

diggingdude

Dear landlord......I will have my deposit back thanks. When the water bill arrives I promise in writing to pay it. 
Lots of love, xox
Sarngate

Norman_Castle

Sarngate said:

 I told the letting agent this at check out and they confirmed this (not sure why this wasn't made clear at the start of tenancy !). They advised they would speak to the landlord about providing me with a water bill from the MC. I was fine with this.

Now the problem. The landlord has requested that half (£600) of my deposit be released to them via DPS, to cover any water bills.

Its odd the landlord didn't request payment until it was pointed out to them. New landlord? Is the bill normally paid through the landlords service charge?

What does the tenancy agreement say about water bills?

Where has the £600 figure come from?

Sarngate

Norman_Castle said:

Sarngate said:

 I told the letting agent this at check out and they confirmed this (not sure why this wasn't made clear at the start of tenancy !). They advised they would speak to the landlord about providing me with a water bill from the MC. I was fine with this.

Now the problem. The landlord has requested that half (£600) of my deposit be released to them via DPS, to cover any water bills.

Its odd the landlord didn't request payment until it was pointed out to them. New landlord? Is the bill normally paid through the landlords service charge?

What does the tenancy agreement say about water bills?

Where has the £600 figure come from?

I think the £600 is just a made up number which the landlord has told the LA to put a hold on.

I believe the water is paid through a service charge, it’s a new landlord as the previous resident was the owner who I believe has gone into care, this person has power of attorney over the property, I’ve only ever dealt with the LA who to be fair has been fine.

Im happy to pay a water bill which is calculated based on actual usage, which should be easily done as the property does have its own water meter. But at the moment the £600 is being requested to cover this which seems unfair.