Deposit deduction

simongregson

Hi,

Could you give some advice on the following items that have been brought up following the end of our tenancy

The property was inspected 5 days after we left, we did offer the opportunity for the agency to inspect on the day of leaving

We cleaned thoroughly as much as we could- although we have missed a couple of things which I won't dispute

small patch of dusty floor beside sofa (not disputed)
1 cobweb - this may well have been made in the 5 days after we left
Small amount of mould under the silicone sealant and discolouration of sealant/front of shower cubicle. The mould was under the sealant which was wear and tear, cleaning it off would have damaged the sealant. Sealant was noted as discoloured when we moved in on inventory.
Showerhead needs descaling (we don't dispute this)
Drain to shower discoloured (noted on inventory on arrival)
Mark on table (table was noted as marked on the inventory report)
Broken phone socket (noted on inventory by us when we moved in and returned to agent)
Untidy bits in garden (weeds etc. noted in inventory on arrival) Leaves probably blew in over last couple of days
A few crumbs under the sofa cushions (we had throws over it, but missed these when leaving, it is a 5 minute hoovering job)
Discoloured toilet seat hinge. This was noted in the inventory on moving in, the toilet seats were both old, discoloured and stained when  we moved in as noted on inventory
We left a hoodie on a hook

We have had the property for 6 months and been using it only from time to time, so it hasn't had a lot of wear. 

I was thinking of disputing all the inventory items and thingsand offering £30 for 1 hour of cleaning to rectify the couple of things we missed. Does this sound reasonable?

pramsay13

Are they suggesting an amount?

Personally I would dispute the whole thing and let them argue their case. Nothing you have said strikes me as particularly worthy of any deduction. 

propertyrental

Apply to the deposit scheme for full deposit return. If LL proposes deductions, refer to arbitration.

Murphybear

propertyrental said:

Apply to the deposit scheme for full deposit return. If LL proposes deductions, refer to arbitration.

I totally agree.  Some of those things are a bit nitpicking.  

secla

stupidest list ive seen, what are they suggesting a deduction of for some crumbs and cobwebs ?

saajan_12

Agree they are nitpicking in this case as sounds like it was substantially clean. I would say you don't agree to the deductions and intend to present this to the deposit scheme which will require full proof of everything. I would also then offer for the sake of a quick settlement and easy life, that you can offer an nominal £X (say £20) in full and final settlement. However this is just to move on quickly and isn't you conceeding to any actual damage, as you fully expect a deposit scheme will assess £0 deductions. 

Herzlos

Sounds like they spent longer looking for things to deduct than doing any remedial work. It also shows how good a job you did cleaning it up. Definitely dispute it.

prowla

I reckon the hoodie should cover any costs.

simongregson

OK so far we have said we will pay £25 for 1 hours cleaning as a maximum for the very small cleaning jobs. They are now substantially saying a cobweb, bit of dust by the sofa and some crumbs, shower head to descale and the toilet seat hinges (the thing is rusting as it is so old, I have further disputed this and said the landlord should replace at their expense as it is rusting/stained/wear and tear). They are no longer claiming any items we already had proof were damaged on arrival on the inventory, or photographed prior to leaving.

If they try to claim more from the deposit we will dispute it via the tenancy deposit scheme.

I just find it amazing that after a six month tenancy they are so petty, we've been really careful with the place as it was furnished and emergency accommodation while purchasing a flat. We actually cleaned 2 carpet stains that were there when we arrived and the hob which was dirty on arrival.

youth_leader

I am very sorry, I do hope your offer is accepted.  Good luck.

I was 64 when I rented a 2 bed cottage whilst house hunting, and when I left, I felt I'd cleaned the whole property to my normal high standards. Nearly killed me, I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor when my son turned up to surprise me, it was Mother's Day!  Lesson learnt to do the kitchen first when moving.

I got the feedback and I also had a 'cobweb' and a big close up photo of ANIMAL DEBRIS/FUR on top of the radiator.  I hadn't ever had modern open radiators before - I hadn't vacuumed them at all!  I was worried that my deposit would be affected, but the landlord apparently 'let me off'. 

I am concerned as my daughter is renting and now looking to buy, when she ends her tenancy I will offer to pay for a professional clean. 

simongregson

Well just to update this - the agent seems to now be ignoring my emails. The deposit is still registered with the deposit scheme, I have already put in a claim for the full amount, it's irritating that I now have to wait until August 19th to claim the deposit back, according to the deposit scheme. 

Interestingly the landlord is now marketing the property through a different agent, with new marketing photos showing how clean the place is. We know they are new photos because the toilet brush we brought for the property is in them!
3 bedroom House to rent, The Roundel, Overstone Park, NN6 | £1,200 pcm (your-move.co.uk)


Not sure if I can do anything to get the money back earlier.