Deposit Misery .... :O(

Tori_Bellatrix

My AST finished yesterday and I have moved out of of my current rental property ! My LL said she wanted to inspect the property as expected but she gave me a non-neogotiable time for me to be there. I couldn't make it so she said she would inspect the property and meet me later ....

After she had inspected, she phoned me to say that whilst the upstairs was ok, she was unhappy with the oven fascia and hob. She said they had been scratched and she would need brand new replacements!! I said to her that the property had been cleaned thoroughly and there was nothing wrong with the items in question and that she had to allow for wear and tear! She then basically told me that she had my money and she could decide what was what ...

When I got to the property, she came over and literally balled me out for not taking care of her property, and everytime I tried to talk she literally shouted me down quite agressively! I was really upset with the way she treated me and by what she said - I have cleaned through-out, carpets professionally cleaned, garden professionally tidied, new loo seat, new mats, all nets and curtains cleaned....

The bottom line is that she has kept £458 out of my deposit (out of £650) and says I have to pay for a new oven and hob and for it to be fitted (for which she has guessed how much it would cost) ... I photographed these items and apart from wear and tear there really isn't anything wrong with them, They are fully operational and functional - However, when the LL installed them over 18 months ago, they were brand new and she expected them in the same condition.

She wouldn't compromise, didn't wish to discuss it and basically told me I'd have to accept it.

I may have pointed out on other threads that she has not completed any inventory - all I had was a First Schedule which lists 3 items (none of which was the oven), didn't protect my deposit when I signed my renewal AST last August and I now literally feel like I've been steam rollered.

I suppose my only recourse is via the courts ...

brit1234

Go get her!!

Lavendyr

Yep, courts is about it. It's daft - even if you *had* an inventory she can't expect an oven back brand new, she has to allow for reasonable wear and tear.

She is absolutely stuffed if you take her to court though. She hasn't protected your deposit and she hasn't even got an inventory to prove the condition on your moving in. Nor has she put forward any proof of the costs of repairs she claims are necessary. Take her to court.

gracie83

Did you have a letting agent or was it just a private arrangement with the landlady? When we have deposit problems I became a near permenant feature in the letting agents offices until eventually they got so fed up they some how managed to get my money back. My deposit problems was when we left the house the letting agent came around to do the final check his response was 'WOW you have cleaned this place so well it is so much better than before' However the landlady came in complained about the mess and the letting agent agreed that the place was a mess and did not return the deposit! The injustice angered me so much I did not leave till have my money back. We threatened to take them to court too as we were talking £550.

Plus 18 months is along time for something you use everyday especially something that gets as hot. It is unreasonable for no heat damage to have happened.

irnbru_2

Tori_Bellatrix wrote: »

My AST finished yesterday

Tori_Bellatrix wrote: »

when I signed my renewal AST last August and I now literally feel like I've been steam rollered.

It sounds like you actually signed a new AST - do you still have a copy?

Tori_Bellatrix

Lavendyr wrote: »

Yep, courts is about it. It's daft - even if you *had* an inventory she can't expect an oven back brand new, she has to allow for reasonable wear and tear.

She is absolutely stuffed if you take her to court though. She hasn't protected your deposit and she hasn't even got an inventory to prove the condition on your moving in. Nor has she put forward any proof of the costs of repairs she claims are necessary. Take her to court.

Hi Lavendyr ..

The oven and hob were new when I moved in and that is what she basing it on .... what she classes as 'damage' really is just wear and tear on cheapish electrical goods! She has been to the place she brough them and has deducted the £398 for the items and guessed it will cost £50 to fit them. She was like a women possessed and wouldn't listen to any sort of reason ... I told her she couldn't do what she was doing and she said she was perfectly within her rights!! She'll have a LBA by the end of the week now ...

Tori_Bellatrix

gracie83 wrote: »

Did you have a letting agent or was it just a private arrangement with the landlady? When we have deposit problems I became a near permenant feature in the letting agents offices until eventually they got so fed up they some how managed to get my money back. My deposit problems was when we left the house the letting agent came around to do the final check his response was 'WOW you have cleaned this place so well it is so much better than before' However the landlady came in complained about the mess and the letting agent agreed that the place was a mess and did not return the deposit! The injustice angered me so much I did not leave till have my money back. We threatened to take them to court too as we were talking £550.

Plus 18 months is along time for something you use everyday especially something that gets as hot. It is unreasonable for no heat damage to have happened.

Hi, it was a private rental with (by all accounts) a LL with no knowledge of any sort of tenancy law ... The thing is, I knew what she was doing was wrong but she just wasn't prepared to give me my money back and and times was quite defamatory about me with her comments .... She even had the gall to have a go at me yesterday as my mobile was low on battery and she couldn't get hold of me ...

Tori_Bellatrix

irnbru wrote: »

It sounds like you actually signed a new AST - do you still have a copy?

Yes, I've lived there for 18 months and each time I've been asked to sign a new 6 month AST ... I have a copy of all of them ...

irnbru_2

Tori_Bellatrix wrote: »

Yes, I've lived there for 18 months and each time I've been asked to sign a new 6 month AST ... I have a copy of all of them ...

Your LL is in trouble:

What happens if the tenant renews their contract after 6 April 2007?

The Tenant Deposit Protection scheme applies to yourself.

SquatNow

Looks like you'll be getting back 3x your deposit then.

Congratulations, you just made a profit out of BTL... the first person this year!

:rotfl:

Kez100

I wish you well in securing your dues which if it is 3x what you paid will go someway in compensation for the grief this overbearing, arrogant LL - who is obviously oblivious to the rules - has given you.