Deposit return without a signed inventory

Grumpy_chap

Daytoapage said:

Hi all.

A change in circumstances means we are looking to buy shortly after renting for many years. We have rented our current home for over ten years, in which time there was a major ingress of water meaning the property was inhospitable for months. We were given an inventory when we initially moved in which we did not sign and return, however we were in agreement with it. I understand a lack of dual signed inventory should mean the return of any and all deposit. Is this the case if a inventory was issued but the tenants didn't return it? Does the fact that considerable repairs were carried out as a result of the water damage meaning the inventory is no longer a true reflection of the condition of the property? 

Was everything related to the water ingress resolved and fixed at that time?
How long ago was that event?

You see, as a LL, if there has been a Tenant in the property for ten years, paid rent in full on time every time, and generally kept the property in good order, that is a pretty good place to be and the LL should really be expecting to need to fully redecorate through when the Tenant moves out.  That probably extends to things like new carpets and such like as they are probably all at the end of life after 10 years.  So, as a LL, I'd be returning the deposit in full.

Mr.Generous

Grumpy_chap said:

You see, as a LL, if there has been a Tenant in the property for ten years, paid rent in full on time every time, and generally kept the property in good order, that is a pretty good place to be and the LL should really be expecting to need to fully redecorate through when the Tenant moves out.  That probably extends to things like new carpets and such like as they are probably all at the end of life after 10 years.  So, as a LL, I'd be returning the deposit in full.

Yep same for me, 10 years is a long time, I'd be more than happy to refurb the place and bump the rent up to near current market value. My bet is after 10 years you are well below market rent. I wouldn't be looking for any small stuff after 10 years, just broken bathroom/kitchen and all doors. Flooring would be due a change, decorating obviously.

The only downside is the agent might hold the deposit as long as legally allowed even if landlord makes minimal deductions. Some deposit schemes hold your money, some don't. The landlord bonds the deposit value by paying a fee of around £30 and squirels the cash away ... TDS do this scheme (I use it)

Daytoapage

The water damage was sorted by the insurance-seperate to the agent. Nothing is broken, some repairs carried out on behalf of the agent are sub-par but not critical. The LL and agent have both been made aware of this. I expect to get an end of lease clean and clean the oven etc. It's unfurnished so nothing other than the white goods to leave.