Deposit return after moving out

Unreal1ty

Hi folks, im trying to help my sister get her deposit back after moving out.
They are basically keeping half the £800 deposit. £250 of which is down to cleaning some windows and doors, and some stuff that was apparently left behind. but which actually was there when they moved in. The landlord has been nothing but a pain, they were left without heating and hot water for 3 weeks at one point. There is a giant wall in the back garden which collapsed a year ago, crushing some of the children's toys, thankfully they were not in the garden at the time. But they were told not to use the garden after that, as they failed to make repairs or clear up the bricks etc left behind. The landlord doesn't like paying out money for anything and has been very rude to my sister. 

I was wondering if there is anything i can do to help get some more of the deposit back? or does she not have any rights here?

canaldumidi

Post 3: Deposits: Payment, Protection and Return.

theartfullodger

Your sister (not you) should start dispute process with deposit scheme immediately.  It's her money, not greedy landlord's

grumiofoundation

Is the deposit protected? 

You say they are keeping the money - do you actually meaning proposing deductions? 

Assuming deposit was protected then go though the deposit protection schemes process and argue any deductions you think were unfair.

if deposit was not protected then can make a claim for 1-3 times the deposit from the landlord.

see link posted above. 

newsgroupmonkey_

I'm afraid the issues that she suffered needed to be dealt with at the time.

As above, reject via the deposit scheme.

I take it she has the check-in / check-out details with pictures?

TripleH

Does she have email evidence about reporting the wall?

Tell her to claim via the deposit scheme foe the whole deposit.

She should be honest, if the landlord is using a report for condition at check-in that she never saw or signed off on, she needs to state that.

If she has photos she took at the start of tenancy include in her claim to deposit scheme.

How long did she live there?

What should happen is both parties sign a report on condition of property at the start and at the end of tenancy. Landlord then claims for damage in excess of reasonable wear and tear.