Deposit Misery .... :O(

Tori_Bellatrix

Ex-LL should have got letter today ... so far I've heard nothing but I bet her first instinct is to ignore it. Found out today that she also changed the final electricity readings to higher then they should be, so I've phoned up the electricity company to get my final bill amended.

I now have another problems any advice please landlords - Yesterday my new landlord noticed I have 2 cats (well behaved adult cats I'd like to add) and told me pets weren't supposed to be on the premises without permission from the LL and I do believe my AST does state this... :eek:

However, when I accepted the property I informed the agent of this and also wrote it in on the application form. At this time, the agent phoned the new LL to ask about this and at the time he said it would be fine as long as I got the carpets professionally cleaned ... no problem I said! I reminded my new LL of this and he did admit that he'd been so busy that he couldn't really remember and would check with the agent. He seems like a reasonable guy but I'm worried now that I'll be moving again soon ... What a week ...

merlinthehappypig

We had exactly the same problem, Tori.

I told the LA when I viewed the house that we had two cats and two dogs and she said that was absolutely fine.

They dithered around over sending me the AST to sign, but, having been assured by e-mail that everything was fine we had arranged removals etc. I got the AST the day before we were due to move in and, of course, it had a no pets clause.

Mind you, it also had a clause about us making an unreasonable noise and bothering the neighbours. We live in middle of no-where and out nearest neighbour, as the crow flies, is a mile away at least. Even our kids can't be that loud.

I did worry about it, at first, especially when the employee who made all the promises moved and was replaced by someone else. We have been here almost a year now and we have had the LA out twice when there have been problems. The dogs were mooching about as usual and no-one has ever said anything.

I wouldn't worry about it. As long as you make good any damage and clean everything I can't see it being a problem.

clutton_2

if you wrote it on the application form, its not as if you were trying to hide it. They cannot get you out anytime soon just because you have cats. Worst that can happen is that they might issue a Section 21 4 months into a 6 months let. But, i would invite them to conduct a monthly inspection for a few months - just to reassure them that you are indeed looking after the property well.

Tori_Bellatrix

Thanks Merlin and Clutton ... I was worried I could be asked to move out during the 6 months on the basis that I have broken a clause in the AST ..

I think one of the problems might be that he may have told other tenants they can't have pets ... and on the day the agent phoned him about mine, he must have caught him on the hop ...

clutton_2

""I was worried I could be asked to move out during the 6 months on the basis that I have broken a clause in the AST .. ""

dont worry - the only way a LL can get a tenant out before the end of the agreement is

if they are 2 months + in arrears
if they have done extreeemely bad anti-social behaviour which is provable in court - V ery difficult to do prove

i have had tenants with pets in the past, and have asked for 50% more deposit than usual - that seemed to work

zebulon

any news ???

Tori_Bellatrix

zebulon wrote: »

any news ???

I do have an update!

When I got home today, I had an email from my solicitor who has heard from the LL today. In a nutshell, the LL is still insisting that I damaged the appliances by reckless cleaning and now says that she advised I clean the appliances with 'soapy water' as well as giving me some cleaning fluid ... this was all in front of a witness apparantly .. :rolleyes: ... Apparantly the damage could not be caused by wear & tear as I was the only tenant to use said appliances since installation.

She makes no mention of the tenancy deposit scheme whatsoever but says that my deposit was held securely in her 'savings' account' (no doubt earning her interest for nearly 2 years). She also says that she does not wish to be involved in any dispute over the matter and has offered me settlement of around 40% of the deposit she withheld to settle the matter without further redress!!

Curley

If I was you, the only time I would spend from now on is filling out the court forms. Don't even bother asking your solicitor to reply, you can't let her get away with treating you the way she has.

PLEASE take the advise from other forum members and take her to court.

A few of us will be looking forward to pouring a glass of wine (or 3) to help you celebrate!

chriz1000

Seriously take her to the cleaners. Instruct your solicitor to go for the 3x rent deposit plus interest and costs.
She doesn’t have any understanding of the law and ignorance is no excuse. It really annoys me when you get these cowboy landlords who decide not to use an agent just to save a few pennies.
Fair enough if you’re going to do your homework, but she has obviously found a contract template somewhere and laughed in the face of your rights.
She had no right to enter your property for the inspection ether without your permission, unless your tenancy had already expired.

LilMissEmmylou

oh a new thread to bookmark to read updates on What an oul bat! Clearly shes a bit dim to think she can get away with it!