Getting our deposit back...

ThatElliottGirl

There's a very long story behind this, so I shall try to avoid most of it! Basically, my boyfriend and I are moving out of a house we share with three other people, and they're staying on for another year. We signed up for a 12 month tenancy agreement, and we've got another month left to pay for (£200), however we'll have moved out and handed our keys in before we're due to pay this.

The landlord has said he will check our rooms on the day we move out, and then send our deposits (£100) on to us. However, he's not the best landlord in the world (a bit forgetful, to say the least), and I'm a bit worried that he'll forget as the other tenants are staying on.

Is it unreasonable to give him a cheque for just £100 each on the day we move out (e.g. our rent minus our deposits)? We haven't caused any damage to the house, and it wasn't exactly clean when we moved in, but obviously I'll clean it. Also, we never actually signed any inventory, so am I right in thinking he can't make any deductions to the deposit anyway?

I'm not trying to rip him off, but I don't want to be drawn into months of asking for my deposit back!

Thanks x

RocketMan

Hello, even without an inventory a landlord can still take away some of your deposit for professional cleaning. Something I have learned is to always take lots of photo's of a new rental as soon as you move in.

I was thinking the same thing a couple of years ago, it was a student house run by an independant landlord which we found through our uni. When we came to move out we considered not paying the last months rent, as it was covered by the deposit. The uni accomodation office told us this was a def no no.

lonestar1

Talk to the landlord explain what you would like to do and ask if its OK for them to inspect the room on the day you leave and pay them the £100 outstanding on the same day. Most reasonable Landlords shouldnt have a problem with that. Just sending them a cheque for the £100 without discussion isn't on

tbs624

You are contractually obliged to pay the full rent until the end of the Fixed Term of your Tenancy Agreement. To withhold an amount equivalent to your deposit money from your final rent payment is a clear breach of that legal obligation: your LL could issue proceedings for breach of contract & recovery of the outstanding amount or, if you and your fellow Tenants are jointly and severally liable for rent and outgoings your LL could seek that unpaid amount from them. Nice way to part company. :undecided

Lonestar has made a good suggestion.