Holding deposits when house ends up unfit to live in

dr78

Do we loose holding deposit? Assume so?

Viewed a house with estate agent for rental and no one noticed the fleas. Went back with estate agent to see house again as it had a smell issue. We was all covered in fleas. I can’t put into words how many fleas. Never saw nothing like it to where we had to strip and bin our clothes. The fleas was also under our clothes too. We was only in the house a minute and all ran out. My sons socks was covered to where could hardly see his socks anymore. Shocking. Never could imagine such a infestation. Estate agent said will shove a flea bomb in and it will kill them all, and can move in same day. I disagree as I can’t see a flea bomb killing thousands of fleas and eggs? Also can’t see how it’s liveable same day. We want to reject house as we feel it’s going to take weeks to clear fleas. As the eggs will hatch and there will be more. Is there any way to get holding deposit back or we have to loose it! Thanks or help 

silvercar

What have you signed? Clearly you can't move in until the whole cycle of fleas/ eggs has been destroyed. 

I would think that this means the contract is frustrated ie the landlord can't offer you a habitable home. I would insist that you get the full deposit back. 

silvercar

According to this random website I found, you are looking at weeks:

https://www.pestcontrolsleuth.com/how-long-does-it-take-fleas-to-die-after-fogging/?utm_content=cmp-true

dr78

Not signed nothing just paid the holding deposit . Estate agent won’t give holding deposit back as feels we can move in same day a flea bomb is put down 

YoungBlueEyes

Anybody who's ever had a dog with fleas will tell you - getting rid of them is absolutely not a one treatment 1 day thing. It doesn't matter what chemicals are in the flea bomb (?) I wouldn't be gong anywhere near that house again. I'd be demanding my full deposit back too.

dr78

YoungBlueEyes said:

Anybody who's ever had a dog with fleas will tell you - getting rid of them is absolutely not a one treatment 1 day thing. It doesn't matter what chemicals are in the flea bomb (?) I wouldn't be gong anywhere near that house again. I'd be demanding my full deposit back too.

Honestly I can’t explain how bad it was. I thought my lad had coffee granules on his socks and when I looked I couldn’t believe my eyes. Hundreds alone just on one sock. Estate agents are saying it’s liveable as done a bomb lol 

YoungBlueEyes

Absolutely not liveable, no way Pedro!  Keep looking dr78, there'll be another house.

Just a thought - would the EA have to declare this now it's a known issue, or does that only apply to selling houses?

FreeBear

Having had <ahem> issues with fleas in the past here, I can assure you that just the one flea bomb will not get rid of the little burgers. Whilst a flea bomb will kill a lot of the fleas jumping around in the carpets, it doesn't kill the eggs or the larvae. Any fleas hiding deep in a carpet or any crevice will survive for another day.

Over the course of several months, I used numerous flea bombs, and sprayed everywhere with an industrial grade pesticide at double strength. Rigorous hoovering, and steam cleaning in between the bombing sessions helped. But my infestation amounted to a couple of fleas jumping up in about 10 minutes. Being covered in the little blighters after just a couple of minutes suggests a serious infestation that needs professional help to eradicate (they will have access to the industrial insecticides that you won't). And to ensure complete eradication, it is going to take several visits over the course of three to six months.

theartfullodger

Is this NI, Wales ?? 

If England see
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/holding_deposits

silvercar

Ask the agent whether they would like you to contact the environmental health department of the local council, to see their view on whether it should be let one day after flea bombing.

SallyDucati

FreeBear said:

Having had <ahem> issues with fleas in the past here, I can assure you that just the one flea bomb will not get rid of the little burgers. Whilst a flea bomb will kill a lot of the fleas jumping around in the carpets, it doesn't kill the eggs or the larvae. Any fleas hiding deep in a carpet or any crevice will survive for another day.

Over the course of several months, I used numerous flea bombs, and sprayed everywhere with an industrial grade pesticide at double strength. Rigorous hoovering, and steam cleaning in between the bombing sessions helped. But my infestation amounted to a couple of fleas jumping up in about 10 minutes. Being covered in the little blighters after just a couple of minutes suggests a serious infestation that needs professional help to eradicate (they will have access to the industrial insecticides that you won't). And to ensure complete eradication, it is going to take several visits over the course of three to six months.

Having owned cats for years, I agree that flea bombs are not going to sort this and professional pest controllers are needed.

The agent is trying it on, definitely press for return of holding deposit.